Uncertain about the outcome: Prediction made by an expert for Avangard in the upcoming season
Omsk's Avangard hockey team is facing a period of uncertainty as the new season approaches. The team has seen a significant exodus of 20 players during the off-season, including forwards Vladimir Tkachev and Reid Boucher [1].
Amidst this turbulence, the team has made some new signings, such as Andrew Poturalski, the reigning AHL MVP, and Maxime Lajoie, who comes from the NHL. Both players have been brought in on one-year contracts [2][4]. However, there are concerns about the team's reliance on these new signings, as some have had underwhelming performances in recent KHL seasons. Cole Cassels, for instance, scored only 5 points in 33 games last season for Avangard and posted a negative plus/minus rating (-7) [3].
The team's transfer policy has come under criticism, with some questioning the decision to reject one of the country's best strikers, who subsequently signed with a rival team, Magnitogorsk [2]. This move has raised doubts about Avangard’s offensive strength.
Vladimir Plyuschev, the team's coach, has expressed concerns about the upcoming season. He emphasised the importance of stability in the lineup for achieving success and noted that the club's transfer activity can affect the team's internal psychology [5]. Plyuschev did not specify what these negative consequences might be.
In a separate development, forward Babayev was offered to go to Canada, but he did not specify who made the offer. Babayev's response to the offer indicates that he was not initially interested in moving to Canada. Initially, he thought the offer was a joke [6]. The offer to Babayev to go to Canada does not seem to be related to the upcoming season or the team's current transfer activity.
Plyuschev believes that the club's current transfer activity will not lead to significant results next season [7]. However, the exact number of players that have joined Omsk's "Avangard" during the off-season was not mentioned.
In conclusion, the transfer choices made by Omsk's Avangard hockey team, which involve rejecting high-performing local talent while betting on North American players who may take time to adapt, are causing skepticism about whether the team can maintain or improve their competitive edge in the KHL this season. The team's fans and supporters will be eagerly awaiting the new season to see how these changes will impact the team's performance.
References:
[1] Omsk's "Avangard" loses 20 players in off-season
[2] Avangard's rejection of top striker raises doubts
[3] Cole Cassels' underwhelming KHL performance
[4] Avangard signs Poturalski and Lajoie
[5] Plyuschev on Omsk's "Avangard" transfer policy
[6] Babayev's offer to go to Canada
[7] Plyuschev's doubts about Omsk's "Avangard" season
What about the team's decision to sign North American players like Andrew Poturalski and Maxime Lajoie for the upcoming NHL season? With concerns about their adaptation and the team's reliance on these players, will sports fans see hockey games featuring Avangard that match the excitement of the previous KHL seasons?
