No Hugo Inglis, no Blair Tarrant and no Eddie Ockenden - the Southern Dogs will be missing a lot of firepower and a very safe pair of hands at the back.
The Dunedin-based team has made the national league final for the past two years only to lose to Auckland in extra time (2012) and in a shootout (2013).
That is some powerful motivation to go one better, but coach Dave Ross feels his side might struggle to reach the final again this season.
''Without Blair, Hugo and Eddy Ockenden - probably three of the better players in the league last year - we are going to struggle, probably,'' Ross said.
Inglis and Tarrant have picked up contracts in Germany, while Ockenden, who had a busy international season with Australia, is also unavailable.
''Hugo was up-front straight away and let me know early on so that I was able to get other players in. But Blair only let me know a week ago.
''If we had known about Blair earlier we probably could have used one of our import places for a quality defender because Blair was outstanding last year.
''The stark reality is some of the other teams have a lot of quality add-ons. That Auckland team we play on Saturday has got seven internationals plus [Australian international] Jamie Dwyer.
''They will be tough to live with and Canterbury have done very well. They've got Brad Shaw back and Nick Haig. They've also recruited well with two Aussie internationals.''
The Dogs open their campaign against Auckland in Dunedin on Saturday and then travel to Timaru to play Canterbury on Sunday.
It is a tough opening weekend, made tougher given the Dogs' build up has been non-existent.
With more than half the squad based outside Dunedin, Ross said it would be too expensive and too difficult to get the team together.
''It wouldn't surprise me if Auckland and Canterbury make the final this year. Certainly, on paper, they look capable.
''So it is probably good for us in some ways to get those two games out of the way. It will give us a little bit of a reality check about where we are and what we have to do.
''Hopefully, once we get into tournament week, we can start getting some points from somewhere.''
The Dogs still have a decent core. Striker Chris Ashton will captain a side that features experienced defender James Nation, New Zealand men's under-21 player of the year Kane Russell and back-up Black Sticks goalie Hamish McGregor.
Irish under-21 representative Kirk Shimmins joins the team this week and there are some new names such as striker Kim Kingstone.
''Kim is in the New Zealand juniors and I toured India with him and was pretty impressed with his work rate. He is a very good athlete.''
While hopeful the Dogs do not go backwards, Ross felt making the top four would be a good achievement for his side given its personnel losses.
''We'd like to maintain our standing. But given the quality of the opposition, and where we are at this year, I'd say realistically we'd do well just to make the semifinals. I'd be ecstatic to make the top four.''
Ross is a supporter of the new format which will see games played across four 15min quarters rather than two 35min halves.
''I think it will be good, actually. It will be a lot faster. Teams will be able to keep their stronger line-ups on the field longer.
''Sometimes games do lose their shape a wee bit when there are a few subs but this will keep the intensity going.''
