In my opinion, the move from the CHL to the ECHL shouldn't even be a discussion. The ECHL is better hockey, bigger and way more stable, and far more marketable due to NHL affiliations. The CHL people can say "Double-A hockey is Double-A hockey" until they're blue in the face, but the ECHL is absolutely the superior of the two and where the IceMen need to be for the long-term health of the franchise. That being said, we have to keep in mind that we are an expansion team. I know it's our 5th season overall and our 3rd season in Double-A, but in the ECHL, we are an expansion team and we have to temper our expectations a bit as a result.

Roster turnover certainly makes it tough to develop chemistry, and we've definitely had a lot of turnover already this season. Still, I don't think the affiliations are to blame for the team's struggles. The affiliate players have been our most consistent performers so far. It's the Evansville-signed guys who've really been stinking up the joint. And it's not like we don't have talent. We have plenty of talent - perhaps too many roster-worthy players and not enough spots for them. We just need guys to play a full 60 and play as a team, not a collection of individuals. And we have to cut down on turnovers and defensive breakdowns, while sharpening passes and play away from the puck. The potential is there. Kromm just has to keep tinkering with the lineup until he finds combinations that can realize that potential.