The news that seven members of last year’s Tigers squad will return next season isn’t really news at all.
Of course, we all knew about the multi-year deals and those players were already part of Tom Watkins’s plans.
But what does that spell out about the club? Think back two years. Go on, I dare you.
Remember as guys arrived on a season-by-season basis? At that time, we all knew that given the tools, Tom Watkins would do the job he arrived to do.
And boy, he did it style last season.
Giving players stability is just one of those tools. These are people with families, bills and mortgages. The same things you and I have to pay. Usually.
So, giving them the ability to plan for the future creates a feeling of security that was always a scarcity in ice hockey. Call it a partnership that gets the best out of players. It certainly did last season.
Indeed, one of Tom Watkins’s favourite phrases is: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Well, I think it’s one of his favourites. But the point I am trying to make is that Tom knows he has a great bunch of players on his books.
Why would he change that?
Let’s not kid ourselves, though. We all know that standing still isn’t an option in any sport, and more so in ice hockey.
Even Jamie Carragher recognises that The Tigers will be a scalp next season. We don’t want to go backwards.
The players that aren’t on multi-year deals will have already spoken to the club, and I would bet that many are set to return. Remember Tom’s phrase about not fixing things that aren’t broke?
I did attempt to snatch a sneaky glimpse of Toms retained list during our interview. The book soon snapped shut on that cunning little ruse, however.
Rest assured, though, that he’s keeping tabs on the developing situation in the Elite League. The addition of an extra import to rosters could see some cracking home-grown players join the EPL.
Think about some of those names currently in the EIHL, and how they would perform in our league.
Now, that WOULD be news
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