Andrew Lord has paid tribute to British forwards Chris Jones and Luke Piggott, who look certain to move on for 2017-18.
Welsh winger Jones and Calgary-born Piggott, who qualifies as British because he grew up here, are both wanted by other Elite League clubs.
The new limit of five British players aged over-23 means that if goalies Ben Bowns and Thomas Murdy plus Mark Richardson, Josh Batch and Matthew Myers all return to the Devils then Jones and Piggott will be surplus to requirements.
Elite League have changed the roster rules to encourage teams to include three British players aged under-23 and Devils have signed Scot Craig Moore, aged 21, from Dundee Stars.
Head coach Lord talked about the under-23 ruling, saying: “It’s mixed emotions for me.
“I understand the idea behind it and that is to develop young talent. The problem for a lot of teams is that there is a small pool of players of that age able to jump up.
“In a couple of years, through extra development work, there will be more, but they aren’t around in great numbers at the moment.
“From the viewpoint of our organisation it’s sad that Luke and CJ are on the outside looking in, We will do what we can to sort something out for them.
“It’s tough because it’s a numbers game, they are above the age group and this really affects them.
“They have both devoted years to our organisation, worked so hard and provided us with great depth and quality minutes.
“Now it’s pulled away from them. I like the tough of development, but I certainly have mixed emotions because of Luke and CJ.”
‘Piggsy’ and ‘CJ’ are certainly wanted men with some Elite clubs and those in the second tier keen to sign them, but they have not yet made any decisions about their future.
Devils will be looking to step up their development of young players and are keen to see 20-year-old Welsh defenceman Callum Buglass, who has shown outstanding ability playing for Swindon and training with Cardiff, develops physically over the next year.
New Elite League Guildford Flames have signed American defenceman Mike Ratchuk, the former Philadelphia NHL draft pick who played for Sheffield Steelers last season.
Flames have signed Canadian forward Ian Watters from the ECHL Reading Royals, while Slovakian Tomas Nechala has also committed to Guildford. He makes the move from Amiens in France.
Former Great Britain international Kevin Phillips is staying with Flames, while Welsh winger Ben Davies, from Cardiff, is also moving to Guildford.
Braehead Clan have added youngsters Jordan Buesa and Josh Grieveson. Buesa returns for a second season, while Grieveson has moved from Dundee Stars after a steady first season in Elite League under Marc LeFebvre.
Both players will be part the club’s development apprentice scheme and join Zach Sullivan in Clan’s u-23 roster allocation.
Sheffield Steelers have signed former NHL forward Tim Wallace, who featured in 101 NHL games for Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I wanted a big power forward who was a right handed shot and Tim fitted the bill perfectly,” says Steelers coach Paul Thompson. “This is a guy who plays hard, finishes his hits, goes to the net and has a big shot.
“He isn’t a direct replacement for either Geoff Walker or Guillaume Desbiens, he is his own man. Another strong player we are adding to our line up.”
Steelers have confirmed the signing of 33-year-old Canadian defencemen Mark Matheson, who spent the past two seasons with French side Rouen.
He helped them win the 2016 Continental Cup, French championship and French Cup.
Milton Keynes Lightning have confirmed the return of Polish netminder Przemyslaw Odrobny for the club’s inaugural Elite League campaign.
Odrobny originally joined Milton Keynes from French side Morzine-Avoriaz-Les Gets last summer, back stopping the Buckinghamshire side to the EPL Cup and EPL Playoff crowns plus representing Poland at the World Championships (Division One A) and in the Olympic Qualifiers.
“Prezmy was the best goalie in the EPL, a double champion with us and had a great World Championships again this year,” said Lightning coach Peter Russell, who has also confirmed the signings of young British trio Luc Johnson, Edward Knaggs and Glenn Billing.
Johnson captained Great Britain at both u-18 and u-20 levels, with defenceman Knaggs and Billing also representing the national side.
Belfast Giants head coach Adam Keefe admits he has big gaps to fill as he turns his attention to recruitment.
They will be without Mike Forney, James Desmarais, Keefe’s predecessor Derrick Walser and Keefe himself as they look to build on their second place league finish.
“Over the last week, it’s been a real busy time and I know Steve (Thornton) has been working tirelessly in terms of recruitment since the season ended to get ahead,” said Keefe.
“I like to wait and see what’s available before we jump in. There’s a ton of good hockey players out there so I would say we’re in the early stages of recruitment.”
Edinburgh Capitals co-owner Scott Neil has admitted they are looking at bring in a non-playing head coach – but says they’re in no rush.
The departure of Michal Dobron to French side Brest means the Caps are on the look for their third coach in three seasons and the Murrayfield side are weighing up their options.
And Neil also revealed he’s reluctant to sign off on player signing news without the blessing of the new coach, whoever it’s revealed to be.
“I think we’re more hopeful of bringing in a non-playing coach,” he said. “We’re looking at someone that can work in all areas of the business, putting time and effort in many ways if we can get that luxury.”