Afternoon update: Grebeshkov ready for Game One?

by Dirk Hoag on Apr 12, 2010 4:19 PM EDT

Two developments I wanted to pass along this afternoon:

John Glennon reports that Denis Grebeshkov might be ready to return for Game One of the series on Friday. He practiced with the team earlier today.
David Poile has been named associate general manager of the U.S. Men's team which will compete at the IIHF World Championships next month in Germany, reprising his role supporting Brian Burke last spring. Get ready for those "Alex said he'd really like to come back..." stories again.

The return of Grebeshkov could mean a significant advantage on the blueline for Nashville in this series. Combine that with a likely edge in goaltending, and this could be a lot closer than most observers around the NHL are saying.

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Excellent news! I’ll pit
Weber/Suter
Hamhuis/Grebeshkov
Bouillon/Klein
Franson

against anything.

On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber

by Chris Burton on Apr 12, 2010 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

I would much rather sit Klein before Franson. Cody is better suited for the PP and we need all the help there we can get. Especially in the playoffs.

But I definitely agree, getting Grebs back is a HUGE boost

by Patrick VanDeven on Apr 12, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Klein is much faster than Franson and moderately faster than Bouillon. It will be a hard call to make. Trotz will have to be sure not to match up a slow defensive pairing with a slow-to-get-back, non-defense playing forward(s). Grebs doesn’t have the chemistry that has been building with the d-line pairings, since the Olympic break. Also, Grebs could come in handy, but he has been out for weeks. Is he ready to jump into the speed of a playoff game? Grebs will likely be d-man in hand for the Preds if one of the guys is injured or if Trotz feels we are getting dominated on the boards or in front of our net and wants to pull in some muscle. He will probably not play Grebs first game, as it would be a slap in the face to the horses that go us here.

by cisar on Apr 12, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

We HAVE to win the first one.

I’ll even go ahead and say, if we win the first game, we win the series. This is great.

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 12, 2010 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

totally agree

I said it the other day- Game One will tell us all we need to know. We HAVE to get to Niemi with pucks and traffic, he’ll get flustered.

On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber

by Chris Burton on Apr 12, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I find it difficult to believe

that a rusty, jelly-nutted Grebeshov would be an improvement over Franson. Cody has played well and showed some offense while being solid-ish defensively. While Grebs might theoretically be more lethal on the power play (and we could use a bit of help there) he is also susceptible to getting caught out of position, which can only be worsened by his lack of playing time, practice, and a tender groin.

Also, I will continue fasting, mourning, and expecting the worst until Hornqvist practices with a stick in his hand…and hits a puck with it.

by brotherau on Apr 12, 2010 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Why even have Klein, really?

Hell, Toots was playing some good D in that last game. He’s better than Klein. Just go Hammer/Grebs, Cube/Franson and we don’t have any real holes in D.

And either of the first two games is a good sign to me. First road playoff win will fire the team up! If they win both, watch the f—- out!

by DonBorvio on Apr 12, 2010 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

I fully endorse this post.

by Patrick VanDeven on Apr 12, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to OtF!

Hope you stick around

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 12, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Klein

I have been a Klein hater often this season. I let him have it at quite a few of those early games, and I know he heard me because these was no other noise in the arena except groans. He has been playing very well, lately, and I would say better than Hammer. He seems to have gotten his head on straight and he is clearing the puck better than Hammer. He isn’t making the bad passes like he had been before the break. He is making sure that there is someone to cover his position if he is going to pinch. He also has the speed and hands to occasionally carry the puck into the zone. The biggest problem was the Kleinhammer pairing, and since the breakup, I like him better than Hammer. Hammer has been waiting a second too long to make the pass or move in the d-zone and it will cost us in the playoffs if it continues. In football, I would say Hammer has happy feet, in hockey I will call it panic stick. Regardless, these pairings got us here, change them if there is a need, but not for the opening game.

by cisar on Apr 12, 2010 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

I will say I am a big fan of Hammer’s Hip Check.

by cisar on Apr 12, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

They’ve all got to pick up the pace clearing the zone and avoid what will be a relentless forecheck by Chicago. Maybe it is all the Olympic games finally taking their toll, but I see Weber and Suter getting sluggish clearning the last few weeks too along with forwards passing back deep into our zone too often leading to pressure and turnovers.

I don’t have a problem with Grebs playing for either Klein or Franson. But all three need to be on a real short leash. First time anyone pinches without backup and a break goes the other way for a score, sit him.

by BradHerman on Apr 12, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to disagree that Klien has been better than Hammer since the split. Hammer has been dy-no-mite since the trade deadline. I do agree though that Klien is deserving of some belated kudos for his improved play lately. I know he has been the target of my ire all season, even when he didn’t deserve it.

As for Grebs, I’m a little worried about just tossing him into a playoff game, but I’ll trust the coaches on that since I’ve only actually seen him play once.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Apr 12, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoa, check out this stat from Eklund

Very interesting fact…The worst seed to be in the NHL over the past several season has been the #2 seed. Since 1994, when this format was adopted,

#1 vs #8 is 22-8
#3 vs #6 is 19-11
#4 vs #5 is 21-9

but
#2 vs #7 is 16-14

In fact, if you took out the last three season when the #2 teams are 6-0, you get a remarkable losing record for #2 seeds.

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 12, 2010 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

What a strange stat…

It will be nice to play somebody besides Detroit or San Jose, regardless of the seeds.

by Lil cutie on Apr 12, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Does Grebeshkov Give us the advantage?

I don’t know, honestly. I have barely seen the guy play. I’m not being facetious here. I just have no idea if he is any good. I know he pinched like crazy. I seriously doubt Trotz will play him and Franson. The pinching by those two would drive him mad. Also, I like Franson, but if he doesn’t make a better attempt to get back after he pinches, he will not be a Pred. I know for a fact Trotz hates that.

by 29thWard on Apr 12, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Franson has already...

…improved on the pinching issue. Sometimes, it looks like Franson is slow getting back, but he seems to always be there to make the play. Must be the long legs, height, and arm reach that makes it look like he’s slow. The only reason to maybe have Grebeshkov in above Frnason is he has alot more game experience than Franson. I imagine that some members of the blueline (Franson and Klein) will have a short leash and Trotz will throw Grebby in at the first sign of trouble. We have too many good DMen…it’s a good problem to have come the playoffs.

Question…anyone have a clue how Franson got the nickname “Fruit Cup” from the team? Sounds like it could be a good story…

by TitanPredBearFan on Apr 13, 2010 9:11 AM EDT reply actions