Squad's Strengths
The Austrian core in Villach would again suggest a mid-tier team status.
Thomas Vallant, Steven Strong, John Hughes, Felix Maxa, Elias Wallenta, Maxi Rebernig, and Alexander Rauchenwald – should he return to his old form after his ACL tear – some of them have their best years behind them, but should still be able to contribute.
The only two new domestic players: Lukas Schreier from Salzburg and Julian Metzler from the Pioneers; both make the squad a bit deeper. Metzler showed good potential in Feldkirch two years ago, but recently fell into a slump.
From last season's imports, Kevin Hancock and mid-season signing Joel Teasdale remained. Hancock has been a consistent ICE scorer for years, and Teasdale showed his scoring touch in front of goal. Both should contribute offensively as expected.
Additionally, veteran defenseman Alex Wall joins, though his footwork has declined. Together with the Austrian core, about half of the squad's performance should be predictable.
Winger Linus Andersson had a reputation in Sweden as a "streaky sniper"; his shot is considered his greatest weapon.
Joe Cramarossa will likely share center duties in the two top lines with Hancock, but does he bring enough offense for that? Skating and – when he's engaged – physical play are more his strengths; his performance can vary greatly.
The new defender Sean Larochelle was said to have good skating and puck-handling skills after his brief stint with the Manitoba Moose. An excess of smaller defenders prevented a longer stay.
Such players usually have good opportunities in Europe. Joining Larochelle and Wall is Ryan Sproul as the third import defenseman with good reach.
He was also an important power-play player in Poprad recently, although I've never seen him shift into second gear. Also new: Scott Walford, the prototype of a "no-frills D" in the AHL and Allsvenskan.
As a package, the defense should again meet average league standards.
Squad's Question Marks
It's surprising that Joe Cannata cleared the fitness test. The 36-year-old also played good games, but certainly isn't among the league's best-trained goalies.
This could be managed with breaks, if it weren't for Rene Swette as backup, a man who is two years older still and is just carried along year after year.
While the defense, including Julian Raspotnig, has seven players available (which corresponds to the league average), the offensive numbers look numerically precarious.
Currently, coach Pierre Allard only has eleven league-capable forwards, and that already includes Rauchenwald and trained defender Schreier. Even shorter injuries – not to mention long-term absences – are enough to push the lineup to its limits.
The countless departures of younger players in recent years, which continued this summer with Nico Uschan and Paul Sintschnig, are now finally taking their toll.
In Villach, memories of the good old days with championship titles always clash with a particularly financially strained present.
Tax reassessments from previous years also contributed to defenseman Philipp Lindner terminating his contract in favor of returning to Innsbruck.
Day-to-day operations have always been a fight for survival – unlike in Innsbruck or Feldkirch, a mediocre team is not accepted (see the year under Gerhard Unterluggauer), which led to excessive investments and mid-season signings.
Areas for Potential Reinforcement
On paper, there are currently ten imports; the unwanted Nick Hutchison should actually make way for another center.
However, new signings are likely out of the question now. It would be more surprising if all players remained on board until the end of the season.
Outlook
Last year, the Eagles still made the Pre-Playoffs; this year, it's more about getting the season completed...
