Wir sind mit dem aktuellen Kader zufrieden.
Overall, there are currently only five foreign players on the roster; ten could theoretically be on the game sheet. However, it seems that Salzburg will not nearly exhaust this quota – at least for now.
Another Forward Would Be Nice, But...
When asked about expected new additions, Letang initially tries to deflect during a media round: "That's a great question, which you should probably ask 'Heli' (Sports Manager Helmut Schlögl, Ed. note)."
Then the new coach reveals a bit more: "We are satisfied with the current roster. We are looking forward to seeing if some players can perhaps take a step forward and take on roles for which they previously – for whatever reasons – had no opportunity."
Letang makes no secret of the fact that "ideally" they would like another forward "who gives us a bit more depth."
"But I think it's a great opportunity to give some guys the chance to really make a good impression."
Where Does the Youth Fit into the Puzzle?
This means: The Red Bulls want to increasingly rely on their own youth and offer them the chance to sustainably prove themselves at a league level and establish themselves in the professional squad.
Entweder nutzen sie die Chance oder man sieht ganz genau, wo der Lernprozess ansetzen muss.
Essential for this are already the training sessions and preparatory games in the coming weeks leading up to the competitive season start in the Champions Hockey League against the Kölner Haie on September 3rd.
What will the coach be paying attention to until then? "How they assert themselves on the ice, how they move, what their shot is like, what questions they ask, and whether they have the goal-scoring instinct we're looking for. And: Where do they fit into the puzzle of our system?" explains Letang.
He states it's great that young players get the opportunity to prove themselves. "I think it's hugely important to give them a chance," he emphasizes. "Either they seize the opportunity, or you see exactly where the learning process needs to begin."
