What now for Danny Kristo at Sheffield Steelers?

In his early Sheffield days, after signing from HK Dukla Michalovce in the Slovakian league, he looked like he was going to be a true leader on British ice.

Having flown in the night before his debut, he looked calm and creative against Guildford Flames.

By the middle of November, he was embarking on a 11 goals and 15 assists rampage in 17 games and he looked like a player the EIHL club would like to tie up for the long term.

Sadly the New Year was no friend to Kristo.

In another 17 games series, he scored just twice and looked nowhere near the sparkling asset that Steelers needed.

Where that leaves the the American, who harvested 48 points in all, now, is difficult to gauge.

His previous CV had been a pretty impressive one, playing five years in the AHL and two in the KHL.

He had a spell in the DEL and SHL too.

Some Arena fans might find it easy to dismiss him as a potential returnee, amid suggestions he ran out of steam in the second half of the campaign.

The player himself was honest enough to admit his own slip in standards when he discussed his time in Sheffield with the club.

Insiders at the club think the fact he started his season a month earlier than the EIHL with HK Dukla Michalovce of Slovakia brought him mental and physical fatigue as the EIHL campaign dragged on.

But when the play offs started Kristo’s confidence and form fluttered back into view, scoring two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Manchester Storm, helping them proceed through to the semi finals.

Sheffield coach Aaron Fox likes to maintain a dialogue with all players of the 2022-23 season as he brings in new skaters among the returnees.

Kristo has not signed elsewhere so whether or not Fox’s future conversations will include an offer to the 33-year-old from the State of Minnesota will be an intriguing element worth watching out for.