Predicting the 2021/22 Elite League table

As someone who can be somewhat indecisive, forming a prediction for the EIHL table was, lets say, a process. 

Time after time I changed my mind on certain picks, and some will come across as more controversial than a certain club statement on Kieran Brown. 

That’s what makes it exciting though, and doing my research has raised my optimism for another closely contested season. Every team has quality in some form, although I’ve tried to consider more than just some Elite Prospects profiles, because hockey is played on ice, not the internet.    

10th - Fife Flyers

I'm going with what many will deem an obvious choice for my last place pick. Fife Flyers overall are looking very 'meh'. There is no real depth and a lack of well established top level quality. 

Greg Chase could prove to be an outstanding addition, and Shane Owen is a well established EIHL netminder, but it's tough to see where else the quality will come from. Isak Stenlund Adelgran has great stats in the Swedish third tier, but the contrast between hockey in Sweden and the more North American style of the Elite League could be a tough adjustment. The same can be applied to defenceman Erik Naslund. 

Aside from those four, their Brit core screams bottom of the barrel and their remaining imports mostly consist of North American rejects or unproven college players. Yawn. 

9th - Dundee Stars

I don't really buy the Omar Pacha hype. Dundee Stars are yet to finish in a playoff spot during his 3 seasons in charge, although they were 2 points adrift when 2019/20 was cut short. 

I do think they'll push hard for the playoffs though, mainly due to a well rounded defence. Drydn Dow is an all round standout and Kyle Haas brings toughness. Markus Kankaanpera adds experience and overall, I think that the blueline is where Dundee's success will come from. 

The forward unit looks reasonable in depth but I struggle to see where the consistent points will come from aside from Spencer Dorowicz. 

8th - Glasgow Clan

I've just clocked that the Scottish sides are my bottom 3. Oops. 

It's Glasgow who top this Northern mini league, although I can see it being very tight between themselves and Dundee for that last playoff spot. Dundee have the depth, but Glasgow have that edge in top end quality. 

Colton Yellow Horn and Colin Campbell's impressive European records suggest that they could be go to players for offence. EIHL experience in the forms of Mathieu Roy and Jamie Crooks make for an intriguing forward unit. 

They don't look as spectacular at the back, although having a goaltender who played in the AHL last season in the form of Shane Starrett bodes well. Cody Sol and Mikko Vainonen bring a decent wealth of experience in front of him. 

7th - Guildford Flames

A team who were considered dark horses not so long ago appear to have severely downgraded this offseason. Most of their long term core have departed, and their replacements don't inspire much confidence, particularly in defence. 

Returning forwards Brett Ferguson, Ian Watters and John Dunbar will be very heavily relied upon to carry a top heavy roster. I think this will be the difference between them being in trouble of missing the playoffs or pushing for midtable. Paul Dixon is a coach I rate highly and could get a good tune of a poor looking roster overall. 

The remaining signings seem to mostly consist of unproven quantities, although younger players such as Mac Howlett, Jordan Cownie and Jesper Alsaari jump out as looking promising. 

6th - Manchester Storm

I've been very impressed by Ryan Finnerty's recruitment this summer. He's retained a solid core of players including star netminder Matt Ginn and captain Dallas Erdhart. 

Attacking options Curtis Hamilton and Wade Macleod could prove to be gamechangers in a side that I think will surprise people. 

I also think home advantage could benefit the Storm, as they have typically recruited physical players that can thrive on a smaller ice surface. This is evident with the surprise return of Linden Springer who comes out of retirement. 

5th - Coventry Blaze

Coventry were the best team in the EIHL over the latter months of 2019/20 and have retained a good core of that roster. This includes the league's leading goal scorer Luke Ferrara and EIHL netminder of the year CJ Motte. 

I don't think they have the depth to compete for the title, but will push the 'big 4' hard. I don't see why their top end players can't retain their form. 

They've taken some gambles on players who are yet to properly establish themselves professionally, and if it pays off I could be proved wrong. If Nathanael Halbert for example can overcome his injury problems, then we could see the quality suggested by the fact all of professional games have been in the AHL. 

4th - Cardiff Devils

Yes, this one will be controversial. 

Every season, you get a team who looks great on paper but just doesn't show it on to the same extent on the ice. We've seen it in recent years with Belfast, Nottingham and Sheffield and I think Cardiff will be the next to get that humbling. 

I purely say this because they are going through a transitional period, moving on from their most successful era ever and enduring a rebuild of sorts. They won't be miles out of the title race, with high quality incomings such as Brodie Reid and Matt Register to name a few of a stacked roster. 

I expect head coach Jarrod Skalde to come good and Cardiff to pick up at least one trophy this season, but like with many coaches who are new to the league, there will be an adjustment period. 

3rd - Nottingham Panthers

On paper, I'm quite underwhelmed with the Panthers roster, but there is still a solid core retained from both 2019/20 and the Elite Series. This includes leading scorer from the latter campaign, Kevin Domingue, and league all star Mark Matheson. 

Matheson makes up a good looking defence, with Taylor Dhoerty and Josh Tetlow bringing size. Former ECHL all star Brady Norrish will fit in well too. 

It's also encouraging that all but two of the players on the roster have played together at least once in the last two seasons, assuring some chemistry. 

However, the lack of a clear top six forward is alarming and therefore, I can't justify putting my club any higher. 

2nd - Belfast Giants

When the Belfast Giants started their offseason by announcing the returns of Darcy Murphy, Kevin Raine and Tyler Beskowarany, you knew they weren't messing around. Three league all stars from their 2018/19 league winning campaign is as good as it gets. 

Since then, they've continued to rack up the blockbuster signings, with players such as Griffin Reinhart and Jeremy Boucher. Scott Conway is a huge addition to their Brit core too. 

Whilst 2019/20 was an underwhelming title defence, they've gone back and built on the incredible 2018/19 roster that won them a league and Challenge Cup double, as well as making the finals of the Continental Cup and domestic playoffs. 

I don't think it'll necessarily be an outright two horse race, but there is quite a gap in quality between Nottingham in 3rd and Belfast in 2nd. 

1st - Sheffield Steelers

As a Panthers fan, I hope the Steelers fail miserably, and I make this prediction through gritted teeth. I think if anything, the fact it's an aging roster could be their downfall. 

But come on, their quality is borderline insane. With 2 of the league's leading scorers retained in Brendan Connolly and Marc-Oliver Vallerand, they are part of a stellar returning core. Key players Anthony DeLuca, John Armstrong and Tanner Eberle have extended their stays too, and you expect nothing short of goals galore. 

Armstrong and Connolly join one of the best potential centre contingents I've ever seen in the EIHL, with Travis Oleksuk and Justin Hodgman looking like top line quality. 

The big names continue at the back with Keaton Ellerby, Kevin Schulze and Dainne Todd protecting the experienced Barry Brust in goal. 

Sheffield look astounding in all areas this season and their depth over Belfast's makes me think they will take the crown as British champions at the end of the season.