Cardiff Devils Confirmed Signings & Departures 2022/23
- Thread starter Chris
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Kozun can definitely shine given the chance, he just needs more ice time to settle in instead of playing a small handful of games, the pairing with Bowns is an odd one for me but I think between them they can help improve each others game.
Not sure how the split will be if its 50/50 then cool, if not I'll have my worries.
Not sure how the split will be if its 50/50 then cool, if not I'll have my worries.
So looking at the roster,
We have a core 13 returning from last season, 7 new players, (3 of which are Bowns, Martin & Jardine), another is Penny who also knows the league, leaving just the 3 players new to the EIHL. Crawford, Thompson & Brittain.
For me that's a positive, players who know what the league is all about. There's teams through out the EIHL who look to be making wholesale changes.
We have a core 13 returning from last season, 7 new players, (3 of which are Bowns, Martin & Jardine), another is Penny who also knows the league, leaving just the 3 players new to the EIHL. Crawford, Thompson & Brittain.
For me that's a positive, players who know what the league is all about. There's teams through out the EIHL who look to be making wholesale changes.
For me, this is how I see things starting out. Although I’d happily put Brittain 1st line, to give the same feel as the Lord - Martin - Morrisette line.
Reid - Martin - Crandall
Cox - Coughler - Sanford
Waller - Penny - Brittain
Duggan - Davies - Brandt
Richie - Jardine
Thompson - Crawford
Batch - Lou
Bowns - Kozun
Reid - Martin - Crandall
Cox - Coughler - Sanford
Waller - Penny - Brittain
Duggan - Davies - Brandt
Richie - Jardine
Thompson - Crawford
Batch - Lou
Bowns - Kozun
Given brittain's size, skill ratings and that he's described as "a face off specialist", he must surely go on the first line. So, where does that put Martin?
Whatever way you slice it we're going to have 3 very good forward lines, and a 4th line that will be horrible for teams to play against.
Our D is looking great, and in really looking forward to seeing jardine back in devils colours.
It'll be interesting to see the reaction from other clubs.
Whatever way you slice it we're going to have 3 very good forward lines, and a 4th line that will be horrible for teams to play against.
Our D is looking great, and in really looking forward to seeing jardine back in devils colours.
It'll be interesting to see the reaction from other clubs.
Wow. Wasn't expecting the whole of the roster to be confirmed last night.
A lot to take in and analyse, but overall it looks a very strong and flexible Devils roster. A fair bit of flexibility amongst the players and it's always good when you can't immediately identify which is going to be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th line-ups.
Still can't decide which lines Martin and Penny will go on (and I wouldn't be surprised if there is quite a bit of movement over the season) but my initial guess on lines is:
Cox - Coughler - Sanford
Reid - Martin - Crandall
Brittain - Penny - Waller
Brandt - Davies - Duggan
Jardine - Richardson
Thompson - Crawford
Batch - Louis
Bowns - Kozun
One final thought when looking at the line-up - it feels very much more like a Devils team than what we started with last season.....
A lot to take in and analyse, but overall it looks a very strong and flexible Devils roster. A fair bit of flexibility amongst the players and it's always good when you can't immediately identify which is going to be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th line-ups.
Still can't decide which lines Martin and Penny will go on (and I wouldn't be surprised if there is quite a bit of movement over the season) but my initial guess on lines is:
Cox - Coughler - Sanford
Reid - Martin - Crandall
Brittain - Penny - Waller
Brandt - Davies - Duggan
Jardine - Richardson
Thompson - Crawford
Batch - Louis
Bowns - Kozun
One final thought when looking at the line-up - it feels very much more like a Devils team than what we started with last season.....
Although Brittain has size, I can't see him being on the first line and Martin being on third as I think someone suggested.
Brittains stats in the ECHL are slightly lower than McNallys. (around the 0.6 points per game mark). Although Martin had a quiet season in Graz, before that he was consistently a point per game in the EIHL and the ECHL.
So I think Martin will replace Dixon and join Crandall and Reid which will be a great combo.
Line 2 will stay as is and then 3 will be Penny Brittain and maybe Waller who hopefully will get more ice time this season.
Overall the offense has definitely strengthened.
Register leaves a big hole and Nikkelson a medium sized one but the additions look pretty good and a lot more offensive.
Brittains stats in the ECHL are slightly lower than McNallys. (around the 0.6 points per game mark). Although Martin had a quiet season in Graz, before that he was consistently a point per game in the EIHL and the ECHL.
So I think Martin will replace Dixon and join Crandall and Reid which will be a great combo.
Line 2 will stay as is and then 3 will be Penny Brittain and maybe Waller who hopefully will get more ice time this season.
Overall the offense has definitely strengthened.
Register leaves a big hole and Nikkelson a medium sized one but the additions look pretty good and a lot more offensive.
Ah, but it's not just about the stats, is it? It's about the blend off lines. The first line last year lacked physical presence and someone to own the net. Brittain should bring that. I guess you could swap him for crandall, but that then wastes Brittain's face off skill and means that you have two new elements in that line rather than one.
Joey Martin will centre the top line, end of. I can’t believe it’s being suggested Brittain will centre the first line, Martin on the third. That’s just not happening! I can see Brittain at centre on one of the PP units though, for face offs and a big body in front of the net.
Not sure what to make of the Ryan Penny signing. Despite seeing so many Blaze games last year, I can’t say I noticed a great deal about him.
Not sure what to make of the Ryan Penny signing. Despite seeing so many Blaze games last year, I can’t say I noticed a great deal about him.
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I seem to be in the minority here but I was 50/50 on whether I'd have had Register back. At time he was impressive, especially with that long poke-check of his and ability to log long minutes.
Be he also had the ability to completely switch off and give up a good chance or even a goal.
And I know we've been spoilt with the likes of Hotham and Fournier in recent years but I was expecting a lot more than 8 league goals from one of the top scoring Dmen over the past couple of ECHL seasons..
Maybe his style of play didn't fit with how Skalde had us playing, or maybe at 32 he had lost that edge - but overall he didn't have the impact I was expecting and if he had returned I don't think it could have been as our #1 Dman.
Be he also had the ability to completely switch off and give up a good chance or even a goal.
And I know we've been spoilt with the likes of Hotham and Fournier in recent years but I was expecting a lot more than 8 league goals from one of the top scoring Dmen over the past couple of ECHL seasons..
Maybe his style of play didn't fit with how Skalde had us playing, or maybe at 32 he had lost that edge - but overall he didn't have the impact I was expecting and if he had returned I don't think it could have been as our #1 Dman.
Sigh, I don't think that I need to defend my background to anyone. Suffice to say I've been a fan since 86, and have done a bunch of stuff since then. As I've said numerous times, it's about the blend of players. My view is the first line needs size. I don't see Martin and Crandall playing on the same line . Others may see if differently.