fournier im amazed has stayed, he looked ready for a crack at the big leagues! great stuff!
my only concern at the minute is we are going to be sentimental and sign the same roster. we have so far resigned some of our best players. haddad i have a question mark over his fitness. i still think we need to upgrade our third line scoring with pope and morrisette obviously coming off the back of poor seasons. ulmer is a year older, is he a year too far now? do we need a re-jig on defence, we seemed to lack size and composure at times. im waiting on the real bones of the off season at the minute, who we have let go, what big decisions have been made and where we are looking to improve.
It will be interesting to see how the Devils have dealt with any weaknesses in the team from last season. To be competitive, to achieve success, teams have to improve and adapt. Often that means making changes and tough decisions. Even the best teams in different sports are constantly doing this.....to try and stay ahead of competitors.
Every signing announced so far has more than earned his right to be on the roster. We are very fortunate to be in position where somehow the Club has managed to retain certain players who we would have banked on leaving for other opportunities. All these guys played consistently well last season (in some cases outstandingly well), and came off a previous season having played consistently well. The same cannot be said about Pope or Morissette,
who as players, were disappointing last season and the previous one. Granted, their roles had changed last season, but we did not see the same level of impact or adjustment as , for instance, Mosey and Livingston, who joined mid-season and made an impact very quickly, took on multiple roles, playing with different line mates in different games.
Being brutally honest, it would be disappointing to see Morissette and Pope on the roster next year - both playing positions are obvious for upgrades. We will find out in the next few announcements what is happening. If they stay, it will be interesting to see how this is 'sold' to the fans, many of whom will be hoping to welcome new players in to those positions.