Capitals irked as vultures circle over their top talent

EDINBURGH Capitals are paying the price for having their most successful Elite League season – as rivals are trying to poach the cream of their crop.

Doug Christiansen, the club's director of hockey, admitted: "It's frustrating."

The coach said he is unlikely to have any more than five of last season's imports back at the Riversdale rink. And any new blood will almost certainly come from North America.

Christiansen also revealed that he had opened talks with Capitals owner Scott Neil about using the club's full quota of 11 imports allowable following a close-season change of rules by Elite League bosses to boost teams outwith the top four.

The play caller said: "I'm currently working to lock up a few players from last season's team. It will not be easy. Many teams in the league are poaching us, but that is because we brought over good players.

"It is flattering in a way, but it is also frustrating and I look forward to the day when we pull good players from other teams." The 30-year-old, who re-signed for the Murrayfield men last week and secured the services of Great Britain international Mark Garside earlier this week, said: "We want to build on the last half of last season.

"We have a solid foundation of British players and we are going to work our hardest to bring the best players we can to Edinburgh."

Christiansen has already drawn up a short list of player targets and he said: "I know many of the players I am recruiting and I'm going to work with agents and scouts to find the best talent.

"Realistically, I don't think any more than four or five of last year's imports will be back and I see most of the players next season coming from North America."

On the subject of 11 imports, Christiansen said: "It comes down to money. The question is simple. Are we better off stretching the budget over 11 players or ten?

"I will make that determination as the summer progresses and we see who we are able to sign in the first couple of months."