We're now almost a third through the season and the Royals are far from contenders. Sitting fourth in the Gretzky Conference with a 0.413 winning percentage, the Royals continually throw up horrible defensive play that has lead them to lose more than they win. This lack of defensive play coupled with Monty's slow start has lead to the Royals scratching their heads for answers and well, the answers have to come within.

"There aren't any white knights coming to save us. This is our roster, we have to figure it out. The talent is there, the history is there, the offense is there, however is the desire there to step in front of that next shot or make that bigger save." said a frustrated GM Nagle

"I'm not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but we have a veteran team here, they have been through it all. I don't doubt that they will figure it out, but I'm worried that they may run out of time." added the GM.

One of the saving graces is that the Royals do have a "top 3" condition on their first round draft pick. Should they continue to sputter and their draft pick land in the top 3, the Bathurst Angry Ducks will then get the Royals first round pick in season 19 without conditions. While it is a safety net for a worse-case scenario, drafting a talented top 3 player is not what the Royals need right now. What they need right now is that one key stop.