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Post by PW on Mar 1, 2005 2:35:17 GMT 1
We've now had two seasons of 'the new dawn' in British ice-hockey, and the honeymoon is over for the Elite League. With rumours of the BNL team all wanting to leave a sinking ship, the cross-over games showing (despite denials from some EIHL quarters) that teams can survive (and compete on an equal footing) with the supposed 'big boys' with fewer imports and smaller budgets, can the encouraging foundations be built upon to form one 'top' league fed by British talent developed through two-way contracts (with Russ Cowley and James Pease being a shining example of the system working) or will the egos of some team owners or petty jealousies play a part in bringing things down again. After all, the ISL was supposed to be the solution to the malaise post-Heineken EPL, and look what happened there... Discuss (this is, of course, open to fans of any team  |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Mar 1, 2005 18:53:04 GMT 1
Given that it is the BNL that seems to have crashed I think the EIHL holds all the cards at the moment.
Reducing imports for next season would be a step too far at the moment.
We need at least one more year (Maybe more) with the current criteria for the expansion teams and a returning Manchester team to integrate with, rather than dragging the 7 stable teams down to the others level.
Also there should be an absolute maximum number of 12 teams in the Elite league. Tough cheese for those left behing but not all should be allowed in. Stringent criteria regarding financial abilities needs to be put in place to ensure that any new teams can be viable for the season.
If you think that is a harsh thing to say then bear in mind that ourselves, Panthers, Devils and the Squealers actually help to contribute to the lesser well off teams in the league at the moment as was part of the agreement at the start. Throw in more weak teams and the money gets stretched tighter. Bracknell should be OK given their benefactor but what of Hull, Newcastle etc even Guildford are unlikely to be able to sustain such a leap into the unknown given their static fanbase.
I for one see the most intense negotiations this summer which will make two years ago look like a quick chat
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