HC Milano: What's Possible in Their Debut?

Squad's Strengths

18 players with roots outside Italy can be found on the roster. This was not surprising; where else would they have come from? A certain basic level of experience and playing quality is thus naturally more assured than if they had had to go into battle with Italian teenagers.

Even compared to Asiago, which at least integrated a few locals, a small but experienced squad is expected to do the job. The "Optima Sports" agency was in charge of squad composition, while GM Viktor Szelig, brought in from Szekesfehervar, had other tasks.

Chris McSorley serves as the link between Milano and the Swiss SL team Sierre, which, like the football club Triestina, also belongs to the portfolio of House-of-Doge CEO Marco Margiotta. A seven-figure loss is factored in for the first season, according to President Christof Leitner.

The offense should generally be better positioned than the rest of the team, however, without the long-term injured Wade Allison, only twelve forwards are currently available. The speedy Nick Caamano could be the most likely to make an impact here, but like Blake McLaughlin in Norway, he left something to be desired.

Nick Saracino (already quite slow), Mikael Frycklund, Giordano Finoro, and the nimble Dante Hannoun are known commodities from the ICE and can be assessed; the duo Diego Cuglietta and Lukas Chiodo (both from the AlpsHL) certainly showed promise in preseason.

Besides these known quantities, hopes must pan out: Head coach Doug Shedden knows winger Michael Dal Colle from Iserlohn. Can the former NHL first-rounder halt his downward trend?

Like Dal Colle, almost completely without game practice recently: Greg McKegg (eight games in two seasons after knee problems), Samuel Houde (last competitive game: January 25), and Wade Allison, who has also been plagued by injuries for years. When fully fit, certainly interesting players, but who among them will be available how often?

In goal, Jake Smith should be good for some highlight-reel saves; he naturally employs a spectacular and speculative style. As an ICE backup (his role for years, and for which he also received an offer from Bolzano this year) he is always a good man, but can he play a full season as the starter?

Backup Edoardo Berti has moved from one team to another in Switzerland in recent years and has little game experience in senior hockey.

Squad's Question Marks

Alex Grant was a solid two-way defender in the KHL for years, promising good scoring numbers as the only defenseman on the roster. But: He is now 37 and, in the last three seasons (45 games total), became a part-time player. How much ice time can he handle over the season?

On the power play after him, Wyatt Wylie should be a fixture; like Tony Dello, he came from the Czech Extraliga. Both possess only limited playing abilities, and the same applies to Scott Valentine, who came from Bolzano and was no longer needed there after years of dedicated service.

The involvement of Gregorio Gios (Andrea's son) was clear from the outset; he is probably still ahead of Chad Pietroniero and Olmo Pietro Albis, who came from Sierre. Overall, there is a lack of depth and offensive skill here.

Players without game practice, Doug Shedden (assistant Pekka Kangasalusta likely handling tactical instructions) a coach in the twilight of his career, and a thinly stretched roster – this sporting mix alone will require a lot of crossed fingers.

The conditions during preseason, which even Shedden described as "chaos," can either forge the team closer together or let frustrations boil over even before the season begins.

Sporting performance is not even the main focus – but does Milano bring added value to the league? The rest of the ICE board's credibility depends on a positive answer to this question.

Work is still being done on the arena, of course, which is familiar from the Olympics. Even league CEO Christian Feichtinger, who is completely beholden to this project, described the first home game on October 9 against HC Innsbruck as a "litmus test" for the organization. Also yet to be seen: How will the arena in reality differ from the plans presented?

After a total of 14 away games in preseason and league play, everything has to go smoothly here. Should Milano manage operations flawlessly and even attract Italian sponsors (a recurring promise from the league for new admissions), this project could pan out. Otherwise, Asiago, Chapter 2.0, looms.