Pre-season Review vs Steelers

CARDIFF, WALES – The club have now wrapped up their 6th pre-season game, with back to back matches against one of their most fierce rivals, with a return to the club for their newest coach in South Wales.

Despite a tepid reception to Paul Thompson in the Utilita Arena, the series of warm up games provided a contest much closer than many expected, with more question marks toward the Steelers than for their own team.

However, context is key here. These were the first for Sheffield, in comparison to the 4th week of ‘camp’ for the Devils, with 3 of them having games played already.

So far, the Devils are 2 – 2 – 1, with a shootout loss and OTL vs the Steelers on top of their loss to Canadian USports’ Concordia Stingers the weekend before that.

Not an enviable run of a results, but it is pre-season.

Initially, the pre-season looked how many had hoped with the off-season acquisitions sparking a valid debate of where goals would come from against a possible sacrificial lean toward more physical hockey. The results vs Gap posted back to back 5:1 victories.

Since then, with two home games for some home ice advantage, Devils have struggled to convert their plethora of chances, again continuing the debate. It also brings home a familiar tone, lots of chances, lack of conversion.

But the goals are there, remember.

Of course, no one should get lost to the fact this is a time for when lines can get experimented on, systems adapted, fitness absolutely tanked to play under fatigue and much more for the coaching team to test their players.

The results don’t matter.

To an extent.

You would want to see progression. Adaptiveness to the new systems and demands, roles and even short term goals per player.

Only that room will know about this, which is between the coaches and the roster.

The on ice product, should at least be entertaining, which to a fault it has delivered.

This weekend also saw Helgeson for the first time, as he was side lined with an injury after the first week of camp. I guess some habits will never leave in one aspect.

Then, Kontos arrived last week and iced as well for his first foray as a Devil.

Next is to await the arrival of Cole Sanford, who is recovering from surgery in the off-season.

Slowly, but surely, the pieces are coming together for PT to get an idea of what to expect, demand and improve upon.

Key Points So Far

1. Tighter defensively, some habits remain

Yes, the team have lost 3 straight, but not from being outplayed. As a whole, they demonstrated a more organised and robust system at the back, with individual skill complimenting the dynamic of the whole line taking defensive roles seriously.

You should expect this as they are all aiming to impress, but if they weren’t, then that would be another issue entirely.

From using active sticks properly without drawing penalties, man marking, shut down work and controlling the puck under pressure, the only issues so far have been attempted stretch passes across the DZ and through traffic to the NZ.

It was a factor vs Gap, which luckily wasn’t picked up on. It was cut out easily vs Concordia, which lead into a lot of mid ice battles and a struggle to break into their zone. That counter pressure lead to their goals.

Typically, Steelers were quick to pick up on it, they just didn’t have the legs or skill to use the counter plays effectively at this stage yet.

This was something from back when Marcus Crawford iced for the club, which lead to unnecessary turn overs and giveaways that often ended up as a converted goal.

New coach, same system. New players, same habits.

2. Lines still need work, players standing out

From the first game, the roster was light on a few key players, including Sanford, Kontos and Helgeson, with Brandt also away and Davies was also absent at the start.

Over the course of the already long pre-season, there have been some structure to the lines but with tweaks here and there.

Game time has been afforded to the 2-ways and some to 7th d-man Brodie Kay.

So far, due to absences of players there has been a little but of shuffling, but the top line and D-unit have largely stayed the same.

You would hope to see more tinkering with the lines, especially when some players had taken large breaks between shifts, however there seems to be an early, albeit subjective preference.

One stand out has been Brandon Estes, for his cool composure on the puck, under pressure and great read for offensive pinching.

He shuts down well, looks for space to find passes with really good precision and isn’t afraid to get involved on the boards. His partner so far has been the highly experienced AHL’er, Jimmy Oligny.

So far, the tandem is working great, as Oligny provides that extra shut down work and can back check hard like a demon.

He knows when to play and engage an attacking skater and has a ferocious hit, similar to Estes. He does have a nasty streak, which may hail from his own hockey family back in Laval, Quebec.

One player Oligny should be partnered with is Gleason Fournier, as that would wet a Quebecois appetite like no other, but the OFD/DFD partnership would sing a little louder here.

Both are exceptional skaters, Fournier the most well known, but Oligny can also skate just as well, if not better.

The reason why this would be a preferred selection, is that the partnership of Fournier-Mosey provided too many holes at the back, as both are inclined to carry the puck offensively and engage up the wings to provide that extra offensive option.

All well and good, until breakaways inevitably happen and so far, they have done. Not including this pre-season effort.

After 5 games, you would expect to see more experimentation, with 2 left, if this doesn’t change, they may well be the set lines, especially defensively and this is where the leaks and cracks would be exposed the most.

The ideal set up would be Mosey and Helgeson, with Richardson and Estes, as they help to spread speed, experience and effective defence, especially allowing OFD’s to play their game, with someone to shore up the blue lines.

For the forwards, the main preference seems to be the clubs’ best 2nd line; MacDonald – Martin – Olischefski.

As expected, the return so far matched the overall average last season, which raised the initial concerns of whether certain players should be icing in certain lines.

Especially in comparison to the domestic title winners.

So far, we are all yet to see Kontos actually strut his stuff and Sanford who is one of the best playmakers is yet to play a game, but has been training with the team.

Perlini – Yaremko – Barrow has been a consistent second line, have put up 19 points as a unit, so far the most productive.

Further down the order, only Lacroix (Assist) and Davies (Goal) have put up any points. Which points to scoring depth being an issue, however, at this stage it isn’t a major concern, as there are still warm up games to go.

That is where the noose should be tightened so to speak, the skates really sharpened, all of those puns. Unless some players depart early, which could be expected.

3. Habits continue, effort still relentless

Inheriting a bulk of players would always bring more positives for a club to establish familiarity, continuity and a great team bond.

This would help with a new coach, as it offsets the long process for recruitment needs and may present a positive challenge to learn their traits, abilities, weaknesses and where or even, how, to improve.

This was highlighted in 2023 under Pete Russells initial interviews, he watched games of the Devils, so knew where the weaknesses were. Apparently.

Of course, so has the new coach. You would expect so regardless, without any scouting or research on your new team, should you have the job to begin with.

The team as a whole have tightened up, particularly around the NZ and in the OZ. Making it difficult for their opponents to clear or counter.

On the rush, chances are created, but the same outcomes have begun to creep in.

Looks on net, shots to the logo. Rinse, repeat. Season after season.

With some many specialists and goals galore in the squad, pre-season, cup finals or road games, shouldn’t be an issue, right?

The effort will never be faulted, however, improvement in directness and effectiveness would have been at the top of the list for where to improve the overall output of the team, no matter how it is set up, with what ever lines.

Goal shy players are still goal shy, for some on their 3rd coach at this club, for others, their 2nd.

4. Leaders being set, as players put hands up

Currently, goal leaders are Barrow and Fournier with 3 a piece respectively and points leaders also include the two at 7 each with Perlini (2G, 5A) so far in pre-season.

Of the top line, MacDonald and Olischefski each have a brace of goals across 5GP, with the Goat a single lamp lit, with 3 points so far, along with Olischefski, whilst MacDonald is a point per game at this stage.

Estes and Yaremko also have the same returns as MacDonald (5), who has been pretty quiet so far.

Off the scoresheet, the jostling for leadership has been a hot contest, as each game has seen a different variation with the letters, including stints for Perlini and Olischefski for example.

Others such as Estes, Lacroix and Barrow have been selected across the camp and pre-season games, with huge praise given to Estes and Barrow, respectively.

It might have been a shock to some, but this should be standard practice each campaign, so with a new coaching team and more players added to the roster, it presents opportunities for others to step up and fulfil these roles.

Whilst it is good having a continuity with the leadership group, to improve and achieve success, their contributions must be measured and accounted for. Longevity doesn’t automatically equate to given a role.

Perhaps, changing this element has been what was needed the most. New voices, new experiences, new methods of adaptability, new approaches. After all., the echoes of ‘Lordo Hockey’ are still present, which hasn’t seen any significant success since 2019.

5. Physicality is there, but nothing convincing – yet

There were some initial signs of what is to be expected for this team, especially form the opening games vs Gap.

A lot of high octane hits, bodies flung everywhere, gloves dropped, but then Concordia landed in town.

They shored up their blue line, shut down the lanes and dominated NZ ice. It frustrated the Devils and the visitors weren’t afraid to get chippy.

Of course, these games were played under fatigue, missing pieces and it is all system implementation.

They were still pay to view games and the fans need to be entertained.

For most, they were. For the majority of that, they are yet to see an EIHL title or Challenge Cup hoisted by this club, especially for fans post 2019.

Against the Steelers, it was a battle of attrition but it goes back to the aforementioned context, one tea, just started pre-season, one should be at the level of being season-ready.

There are a couple more games left, this is where the shape of the team, the dynamic of the lines and systems and the identity should start to shine through.

So far, there is a lot to be desired. But this is the rebuild without being called one.