Edinburgh Capitals

Matt Dible aka Sabresfan96 from previews the season for the Caps

After a truly disastrous 2010/11 season, which is frankly too embarrassing to write about, most believed that it was the end for the Edinburgh Capitals and they would join the Newcastle Vipers this summer on the UK’s long list of defunct clubs. But no!? Scott Neil refuses to let the Caps die and they are back for another rollercoaster season of EIHL hockey. The club’s near demise was not only the result of a bit of snow but also caused by many deep rooted flaws in the way it goes about its business. Scott says that he has learned from his mistakes and that the club has an all new management structure to make the club more professional, viable and competitive. However, so far this new structure, from the fans perspective at least, seems pretty much the same as the old one. The clubs PR is still dreadful and a lack of information continues to fuel the apathy that many fans are feeling. The recruitment policy seems to be same old Caps too, no head coach and just 8 players (6 imports, 2 Brits) signed, with 3 weeks till the start of the season.
Off the ice then, things aren’t great but it is on the ice where we see the greatest changes for the Caps. Firstly are the departures of Caps veterans Kyle Horne, Jeff Hutchins and Martin Cingel. Horne and Hutchins are both good players but polarized the opinions of many Caps fans. The loss of Captain Cingel, however, is a massive blow. For many he was the Caps, the only true connection between the club and its fans, to not see him grace the Murrayfield ice after 9 seasons will take some adjustment.
So this new Caps team is going to have completely different complexion from previous years. Since Doug Christiansen joined in 2007, North American imports have dominated the summer signings. Obviously this made sense, a coach signing players from a market he knows well. However, while this policy delivered some top quality players (Hemingway, Hurtubise, Fussey…etc) it clearly put a large financial strain on the club. In each of Doug’s 3 seasons at the helm, the Capitals flirted with a similar collapse to one that derailed them last year. The fact is, for the Caps a North American import is expensive, not necessarily in terms of wages but with Visas, work permits and flights, the costs rack up. With that in mind, it is probably no surprise that, so far all 6 signed imports are from Europe – 4 Slovaks, a Czech and a Latvian. The Caps have had great success in the European market in the past – with players such as Jan Krajicek, Ladislav Kudrna and, of course, Martin Cingel – and it is good to see Scott Neil go back to it.
Slovakian trio Tomas Valecko (D), Peter Holecko (F) and Richard Hartmann (F) have extensive Extraliga experience and should be quality additions – Hartmann in particular, having spent 3 years as a linemate of former NHL star Ziggy Palffy. Joining his fellow countrymen from the Hull Stingrays is Jozef Sladok. The 6’5” defenseman, apparently signed to play at forward this season, will hopefully provide some much need aggression and muscle to the Caps game. Jan Safar takes the mantel of the Caps longest serving import having played the final 15 games of last season, impressing enough in that period to earn an extension. The final import on the list is young Latvian forward Marcus Zembergs, who looks to have decent goal scoring potential and will hopefully emulate the 60pt season that fellow Latvian Toms Hartmanis had for Newcastle last season.
The Caps first signing of the off-season was Welsh goaltender Nathan Craze. Having been considered the best backup in the league for the last few years, Craze clearly feels now is the time to step out of Lyle and Murphy’s shadow and establish himself as a genuine starter at Elite level. It is huge leap of faith for both player in club – with the Caps taking a chance on a goalie who has yet to prove his undoubted talent can been maintained for a full season and the player himself trusting Scott Neil to build a team that will provide him with the support he will need. It will be fascinating to see how this move pans out. The only other Brit currently on the roster is hard working Bari McKenzie, who returns for a second season in Edinburgh. The British player situation at present looks grim; you would expect Neil Hay and perhaps Daniel McIntyre to return but beyond them it is difficult to see where the club can find the players to add competitive depth to the squad – hopefully Scott can surprise me.
Right now I think the team on the ice is going in the right direction, building a team of decent quality without breaking the bank. If the final 3 or 4 import signings can be of the same pedigree of Hartmann then the Caps could be fairly competitive. However the most important signing will be the man to coach this team. There were plans to bring in former Caps star Adrian Saul, to start his coaching career but legal and medical issues seemed to scupper the deal. There is still a chance Saul could be the man but it is vital that someone is appointed to guide team. It doesn’t matter how good the players are, if there is no one in charge things can fall apart very quickly. As it stands there are too many unknowns to predict anything higher than a 10th place finish. Where the Caps finish this season though isn’t really important. What is important is for the team to go through the season without any major collapse or crisis and for the club to reconnect with its disillusioned fanbase, or risking losing them for good.

Now for the rest of the league:
Belfast Giants
The Giants are once again this summer’s paper champions. Many question Doug Christiansen’s coaching credentials but there can be no denying he is an excellent recruiter and he has once again put together fantastic looking team. The pressure is on to deliver.

Coventry Blaze
When the Blaze have a bad season Paul Thompson usually does a good job turning things around the next year. Hirsch is a proven league winning backstop. The addition of Domish and Phillips alongside Weaver makes for a formidable defensive unit. Bounce back season for the Blaze.

Nottingham Panthers
This may be Corey Nelson’s last chance to bring the coveted league title to Nottingham and I don’t think he can do it. Once again he has assembled a top heavy roster that will score and concede a lot of goals. Talent wise they can win the league but I don’t believe Nelson’s teams ever have the right attitude to be champions.

Sheffield Steelers
If the Steelers play with the same attitude as new player/coach Ryan Finnerty they should be fun to watch. This team doesn’t look as good as last season’s league winning side. Hope they can make more headlines on the ice than off it.

Cardiff Devils
Losing Pelle, Wheller, Finnerty and Michel make it likely the Devils won’t be setting any world records this season. Expect the blue tent to continue to be a fortress but their struggles on the road may return. Expect another controversial Voth moment.

Hull Stingrays
The Rays appear to have signed a good blend of youth and experience and will be better prepared to start this season, after last year’s folding and rebirth. Can Tendler repeat his 50 goal season?

Braehead Clan
So far the Braehead experiment appears to be working. Losing player/coach Bruce Richardson’s leadership and energy is a blow but Drew Bannister’s vast experience in the game is an adequate replacement. A big season for the Clan, a lot will depend on who they sign in net and how motivated Jade Galbraith will be.

Dundee Stars
After a difficult start, the Stars have truly established themselves as an EIHL club. They will be looking to continue their upward trend. I would have ranked them 7th but the loss of both Mitchell and Suderman, along with a lack of forward depth drops them a place.

Fife Flyers
Great to see the country’s oldest club back at the top level. Some of my best memories as a Caps fan are the Forth derby games in the old BNL and I really hope the two clubs can resurrect the rivalry in the EIHL. The Flyers are in a similar position to the Caps, with not many players signed with just a couple of weeks till their first game – they get a pass though because of their late entry to the league. Where they finish depends entirely on their remaining import signings but right now I can’t rate them any higher.

Edinburgh Capitals
Just hope I’m wrong with this one…