Marc-André Gragnani (CAN), Justin Krueger (GER/CAN with CH-license), Michaël Loichat, Simon Moser, Marco Müller, Martin Plüss, Marc Reichert, Byron Ritchie (CAN) and Julian Schmutz all have expiring contracts at the end of the current season.
"We want to keep the team together as far as possible," Leuenberger said to the Berner Zeitung, expressing at the same the time satisfaction towards their Canadian foreigners.
Concerning the Bear's defense, contract extension talks with Justin Krueger seem to be underway. Still up in the air is, who is going to fill the gap of departing Philippe Furrer (HC Lugano). Samuel Kreis and Flurin Randegger are candidates, "or there is an external solution," Leuenberger said. Joël Genazzi (LHC), Anthony Huguenin (HCFG) and Ramon Untersander (EHCB) seem to be possible names.
Within Bern's offensive lines there are three question marks. Christoph Bertschy, who still has a valid contract for the upcoming season (including an out-clause), could venture the step to North America in 2015. Simon Moser, who has not yet played a single game because of injury, and there is also Martin Plüss, who reportedly has an offer on the table but still seems to be undecided where to continue his career.
Depending on the situation or decision of Bertschy, Moser and Plüss, it might be possible that one or two new forwards alongside Simon Bodenmann will arrive in Switzerland's capital for the upcoming season(s). Both, HCD's Gregory Sciaroni (recently reported) and LHC's Etienne Froidevaux seem to be in Leuenberger's focus.
