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Panthers make bid for Tait
NOTTINGHAM Panthers are trying to bring Steelers top scorer Ashley Tait back to their club in a move which would stun Sheffield fans.
Panthers have lost centreman Matt Myers to ECHL side Bakerfield Condors in California, despite the 24-year-old Brit seemingly committing to Sheffield's biggest rivals at the start of the summer.
With Tait yet to sign for Steelers, Panthers coach Corey Neilson is thought to have offered him a contract.
Tait, who played for Nottingham from 1990 to 1997 and 1999 to 2002 could be interested in a third term with the club, although an Italian side appears in pole position to acquire his services.
Steelers would be resigned to losing Tait to the continent - but devastated if he went to Panthers.
A club source said: "We are giving Ash time to explore an option that seems to be opening up for him in Italy."
The forward will be 34 by the time the season starts and is looking to head towards the twilight of his career at the highest level.
Asked previously if he would ever consider going back to Nottingham or another old employer Coventry Blaze, Tait has replied that you can "never rule anything out" in ice hockey.
Meanwhile, the search for a replacement for goaltender Jody Lehman remains just as big an issue.
Ex-Newcastle Vipers and Coventry netminder Trevor Koenig appears to be using Sheffield interest as a bargaining chip to secure himself a better deal elsewhere.
So Steelers have offered a contract to ex-Basingstoke Bison man Kevin Reiter, who once shared a line-up at Missouri River Otters with former Steelers skipper Dennis Vial.
Newcastle Vipers have signed Slovenian forward Matic Kralj.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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