Hello everyone! It's the second edition this week of the column known as "From The Editor's Chair." In other words, Mark's personal soapbox. Sit back, grab a brew and biscuits, and digest Mark's opinions for your perusal. As this is purely a personal column, remember the disclaimer: it does not reflect any thoughts of the Sheffield Steelers - it's purely independent.
So what's is going through Mark's mind in this column? Well we're at the halfway point of the season, yeah it doesn't seem two minutes since we were playing Soderjtaile SK in the first of the eight pre-season friendlies. Which is one point I would like address now. I honestly thought eight was too many, maybe five at most but eight? Granted it gives a new look squad plenty of time to get used to each other and hopefully gel, but it was too many in my eyes. Hopefully the congested pre-season schedule will be better come 2018-19.
Now onto the team analysis, and I'm going to do them by position. Starting with the netminders, obviously...
Ervins Mustukovs is still the first choice netminder at the Club, and provides an experienced head as the last line of defence. What I've seen a lot this season on social media, is a lot of people having a pop at our number one goalie. To see "fans" of our own club calling Moose names like "Mustucrap" is not on. Opposing fans naturally make note that he gives up a lot of rebounds, what goalie doesn't, but Moose to me is one of the best goalies in the league. When he's on it, he's unbeatable. His deputy Brad Day is always dependable when called upon despite the lack of ice time. Of the British back-ups, he's probably one of the best there is.
Now onto the blue line. Two players for me stand out, and I am sure that they are the same two names that everyone else has on their respective lips. Those being Mark Matheson and Zack Fitzgerald! Mad Dog has been an inspirational pick-up, an experienced defenceman who seldom has a bad game and contributes at both ends of the ice. Zack is of course Zack, the marketing dream and dependable every night. As for the rest, Davey Phillips has been steady as has Scott Aarssen since his arrival.
Miika Franssila is developing into a good pick up whilst Ben O'Connor still frightens the life out of me when he's caught out of play but he can be a match winner on his day. Joonas Ronnberg, whilst he wasn't the uncompromising shutdown defenceman we were told, did a reasonable job for us under difficult circumstances in the end. He will be remembered for twice helping us out when we needed an extra defensive body, and that's worth its weight in gold.
Forwards now and I'll do these by line combinations, some of which aren't the exact ones. First trio to discuss are Colton Fretter, John Armstrong, Mathieu Roy. Fretter first, an experienced guy who plays with an edge which I like. He's been the victim of players taking liberties with him and that all came to a head with Goulakos, there's only so far you can push his buttons. That aside, he's a quality asset who chips in with goals and assists. I believe he will finish his playing career here. Armstrong, a player who has size and ability but sometimes goes missing in those big games. Some therefore call him a flat-track bully because of that. He was well on par to break his first season points tally but is now sidelined with "jersey finger", I'd just like a bit more consistency from him. Then there's "The King", again he's had an injury hit campaign but when he's fit and in the zone there's nobody better to get you those greasy goals. A modern day hero.
Line two, the Nelson-Valdix-Dowd one. This line has definitely been the shining one all season of the four we've rolled. Dowdy and Levi, the Bash Brothers, who hit and score whilst giving defenders the run-around. Probably the best wingers we have at the Club, and complemented so well by the silk and finesse of Valdix; who makes playing hockey look an art form at times. Third line, Wallace-Jämtin-Marquardt. Wallace, up to recently, has been many fans' disappointment. Signed with an impressive resume, he's not put the points up which we were expecting but surely this might change in the New Year. Jämtin has been steady in his work, certainly has a good work rate, a reasonable third liner. As for Marquardt, he had a slower start than others due to injury but I like him because he puts himself about, using his size. For a big guy, he certainly has a bit of skill about him too - definitely an unsung member of the team up front and I think he's a much better player with us than we saw him last year in Coventry.
Now to finish off, we'll look at the rest. Shudra and Kirk to me have been seriously under-used especially Cole whom PT thinks is a defenceman...he's not! Give him spells as a fourth line centre and you'll see how talented he is. GB play him there so why do we have to be different? Kirk is a talent waiting to seriously explode, I wouldn't hesitate playing higher if I could as the kid has serious ability. Jono, still Captain Fantastic and dependable as ever - you cannot say a bad word about the skipper. Jonas Westerling has had a few knocks, but I think we're still waiting to see the best out of him. Brady Ramsay was, and this is remember is my thought, harshly treated. When the chips were down and we needed a spark, he looked to give it. And as for Andre Deveaux, when he played he was good but he proved to be a bit of a loose cannon with his temperament - you can't afford to carry an import like that in your roster.
Eric Neiley, we shall look forward to seeing you in action.
So there ends my thoughts so far on the roster, and it's not too controversial, so what's your verdict on them?
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