Friday's news: Preds fans rise to the occasion. Nashville's sports columnists? Not so much.

by Dirk Hoag on Apr 23, 2010 10:18 AM EDT

Last night the Predators fan base came through by selling out the Bridgestone Arena, but the Preds fell flat and their series returns to Chicago tied 2-2. While fans may be feeling sour this morning, the great consolation is that if the Nashville Predators have proved anything over the last several years, it's that they know how to bounce back from games like this.

So think back to the start of the game, and the energy that 17,000 towel-waving crazies brings to a Preds game, and get ready to do it all again when the next home game comes up on Monday. In the meantime, let's see what informed commentary our sports columnists over at the Tennessean had to say about what was a pivotal game in Nashville's hockey history last night:

David Climer: Oh, the Titans made a nice draft pick.

Joe Biddle: Wow, they might make another one later on. Insightful stuff, there.

Sigh...

After the jump, we've got reaction from the people who do actually give a hoot, and more importantly, know something about hockey. There's lots of Preds-Hawks talk, word that a Nashville assistant is being considered for an NHL head coaching job, and a whole lot more as the #7 seed in the East has eliminated the #2...

Last Night in the Playoffs

Philadelphia 3, New Jersey 0: #7 knocks off #2 in the East... and boy does that Ilya Kovalchuk trade look better for Atlanta, doesn't it?

Ottawa 4, Pittsburgh 3 (3OT): The Senators just refuse to give up, getting a goal from Matt Carkner to push this series back to Ottawa for Game 6.

San Jose 5, Colorado 0: That's more like we've been expecting... the Sharks take a 3-2 lead.

Predators News

Freakin’ Friday: Feast or Famine Preds Go Hungry in Game 4 " Pull My (Fang)Finger
This series has certainly been one of extremes - the Preds either score 4, or none...

The View from 111: Chicago Claws Their Way Back Into The Series With A 3-0 Win
Among others, Mark calls out Jason Arnott, who has no points through 4 games now.

Preds On The Glass: Game Recap: Hawks Tie Series with 3-0 Win over Preds
Buddy's got your post-game audio from last night.

See Puck City: Give And Take A Whoopin' Part 4: Preds Take A Whoopin' 3-0
SPC's frustrated, as I'm sure many folks are after last night. It's a good thing the players are better at "turning the page" than we are!

Chicago Cashes In On Their Chances, Nashville Doesn't, Hawks Win 3-0 - Brandon Felder
Brandon says, "I honestly thought that Nashville played well enough in this game to win." I guess they don't have drug testing at HB!

Postgame ponderings | Predators Insider
John Glennon wonders "Is it time to give defenseman Denis Grebeshkov a shot?" YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES, YES.

Jordin Tootoo hit in face by puck - The Tennessean
Toots should be OK after taking a nasty shot to the face in the 3rd period.

Predators' Prospect Blum Proving Himself in AHL - The Grinder
Jonathan Blum is having a fine playoff for Milwaukee, and it will be interesting to see how much of a step forward he takes this fall.

Payroll size still a factor in cap era, but a few teams thrive on a budget - USATODAY.com
Breaking news... the Preds are really good at competing on a limited budget.

Wade Belak: The Life of an NHL Enforcer - Nashville Predators
Well, I'm guessing part of this "life" involves lots of time to do interviews these days.

Around the NHL

Scouting And Searching - Puck-Rakers
Is Brent Peterson on the short list to take the head-coaching job in Columbus? It would certainly be a great opportunity for him, and make it a little harder to hate the Blue Jackets.

Filatov: I'm Coming Back (Puck-Rakers Blog)
It looks like Nikita Filatov will return to Columbus this fall. Along with word that Jiri Hudler is likely to return to Detroit, does this make the Alexander Radulov situation look even worse for David Poile?

Jason Chimera: Playing the Role of Role Player Perfectly - Japers' Rink
The former Blue Jacket is fitting in well with the Washington Capitals.

Samuelsson shows game-changing skills - The Globe and Mail
Has the reunion of an all-Swedish line revived the Canucks?

Buyer beware on Kovalchuk - The Globe and Mail
After turning down over $100 million from Atlanta, will Ilya Kovalchuk do better this summer as a free agent? I doubt it.

Free-agent goaltending market always in a state of flux - USATODAY.com
Kevin Allen profiles what should be a busy goalie market this summer.

Brodeur is a Fraud: Synergy
Despite the name of the blog, blame isn't being placed on New Jersey's goaltender.

Gary Bettman Translation Machine, Fully Operational - Lighthouse Hockey
Dominik attempts to cut through the obfuscation and spin that the Commish is known for.

Team USA on a roll entering Under-18 gold-medal game vs. Sweden - NHL.com
The kids are alright...

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Comments

Self-defense

So maybe the fellas down 1100 Broadway didn’t really need TWO columns on the draft – especially since it’s three days long now and they’ll have plenty of time to dissect it.
However, newspapers are driven by advertising. Advertising is based on circulation. And, again, the Titans are more popular than the Preds are. Yes, it’s April. Yes, it’s the most exciting time of the year for hockey, but the draft is a big deal and the Titans are the biggest deal in town – even though the Preds are locked in an awesome series. It doesn’t change the fact that the NFL is the biggest kid on the block in pro sports.
Flipping it back the other way – people complained about the wall-to-wall coverage of Tiger Woods. But I guarantee, if people weren’t reading or watching it, the media (“we,” in the interest of full disclosure, though I have written far more stories on the Preds than on Tiger or the Titans) would stop covering it.
I don’t think it’s a secret newspapers are struggling. They are understaffed and fighting with more and more outlets everyday for advertising dollars. Last night, for example, we down here at SouthComm sent Intern Mark to cover the Preds game, because Boclair needed to cover the draft.
Plus, if Climer and Biddle are so woeful at writing about hockey, why would you want to read it anyway?

by JRLind on Apr 23, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Biddle is hopeless, but Climer at least has the potential to write something decent. They certainly could have split duties, considering the fact that the TN has their Titans-specific staff on the job as well.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Apr 23, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

There's one draft day a year

There are more than 82 preds games most years

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

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 23, 2010 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yes, that too. There’s actually three draft days per year – but I take your point.

by JRLind on Apr 23, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but guess what? There’s only one playoffs, and the columnists almost never write on hockey the other 82 games. I would’ve been fine with split duties; preferable Climer at the Bridge.

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

by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I cancelled the Tennessean months ago....

started buying NY Times/USA Today instead….Kevin Allen…. now there’s a hockey writer.

- There is absolutely no reason why the Tennessean can’t have great coverage of the playoffs and the draft, and everything. Why does it always have to be one or the other with them? Why not cater to everyone? too late for me though….. They are basically going to have to move a mountain to get me to start reading again.

by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I just have to ask...

…is the Preds/Blackhaws series something of a mirror of the Avs/Sharks series? I haven’t delved into stats, but it seems that both the Preds and Avs are playing very offensively minded teams and that when that offense is clicking, we’re leaning far too much on our goaltending with little offense of our own.

Last night, for example. After we couldn’t convert on the 5 on 3 and allowed a PP goal after just 10 seconds of PP time, I got the feeling that the night was lost. I guess I’m a natural pessimist anyway considering the Preds’ playoff history, but I really felt like our offense has hit a pretty significant low in this series (with the exception of game 3). Two shutouts in four games disturbs me on a lot of levels.

Would having Grebs or Horny back help? Are we relying too much on defense and goaltending?

by rusherman on Apr 23, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Would having Grebs or Horny back help?

Hell to the yes. I’m guessing if Hornqvist is close we see them both on Saturday.

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

by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

is the Preds/Blackhaws series something of a mirror of the Avs/Sharks series?

I think your premise is that there are two offensive teams (Hawks & Sharks) playing two defensive teams (Preds & Avs). That is not the case. Actually, the Hawks are a top 5 defensive team in “Goals Against” while the Sharks are top ten in GAA. The Avs and Preds are both in the middle of the pack in GAA.

For offense the Hawks and Sharks are top 5 in “Goals For” but the Avs are still a top 10 offensive team (actually 6th). The Preds are in the middle. So no I don’t think the two series are similar. In any event they aren’t two offensive teams playing two defensive teams…

I know Chris has made a big deal pointing out how the Preds aren’t a “Trap” team. Well, the truth is the Hawks aren’t an offensive minded team the way they are portrayed either. They are actually a puck possession defensive team that scores a lot of points.

by DaleHalas on Apr 23, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Brent Peterson...

… of course Columbus wants our one of our coaches, because we have beaten them sooooooo many times it’s ridiculous! Hands off Columbus….. you can’t have him! Also, to my knowledge he is the only link we have to the team I grew up watching…The Hartford Whalers.

by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

Brent

Of course they want Brent….He should be the Head Coach Now, not Trotz. Make Trotz an assistant GM or something. And yes they want him cause no one would want Peter Horachek. Specail Teams have regressed since he has been there. Promote Trotz, Give Brent the Lead and Can Horachek or send him back to the echl.

by DHack on Apr 23, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets face it

Until we make it out of the first round of the playoffs, we are not going to get any respect from the media. I am a die-hard Preds fan and frankly I am very upset with last nights game. I busted my rear to get to it and they deliver that? We had a chance to put alot of pressure on Chicago. How can we not expect anything less than what we always do. The Preds are known for only doing what they have to. The very mimum. They never go the extra mile. That includes the games. We should have went out and gotten a Goal scorer. Instead you sign mediocore players to decent contracts. And then go out and get people like Grebeshkov and re-sign Klein. Then we are talking about wether or not we are gonna let the guy get in there and play during the playofffs. What is gonna take? It has been a few years since the top brass has really shown that they want to make the Preds a competable team. What do we have to do to make a big signing at the start of the season. Not til just before the playoffs. Go out on a freaking limb here! I know that this team still has the opportunity to beat Chicago. If they do, it isnt because of anything that the brass has done. It will be because of us wanting it bad enough. And for Gods sake stop passing the puck when you are one on one with the G! What the heck was Marcel Goc thinking? It was almost like this team didnt want to win it last night. We need some work guys. And unfortunately until we do something that shows that we got our heads out of our rears, then we are not gonna get the media coverage or respcect that we deserve. Not even from our on peeps.

by SinBinPred on Apr 23, 2010 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Look what I found

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

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 23, 2010 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Wow. I don’t know that I would go that far. Seems to me that part of the problem is never spending the $ to get some consistent offense. It would be nice to have at least one ringer on offense.

Although, I get the feeling that if we don’t make it out of the first round, some heads will roll.

by rusherman on Apr 23, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

idk.

i think something definitely needs to be done. on one hand the preds don’t have the superstar like kane, Ovi, or sid that can really drive the powerplay down low with creativity. all we have are point shots which every team has figured out and does a great job of letting goalies seeing them and clearing rebounds. they all know what we are going to do before we do it. we either need a player who can make great plays or a coach who can design them. and i think the coach might be the best use of money.

by flyalder on Apr 23, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Look What I Debunked...

Here was my response directly to him on the Preds board:

Ooo…an online petition. How 1995.

You’re going to have to provide a citation for Horachek blaming the fans or I’m going to call BS. I’ve found nothing after doing a google search.

As for your statement that the team has gotten “statistically worse and worse” on the PP since Horachek’s arrival…that is just patently false…

Pre-Horachek:
1999: 12.3% (25th of 27): 40 for 324
2000: 13.4% (25th of 28): 41 for 304
2001: 14.1% (23rd of 30): 51 for 361
2002: 14.2% (23rd of 30): 48 for 337
2003: 13.8% (26th of 30): 58 for 418
Total: 13.6%: 238 for 1744

Horachek:
2005: 16.9% (11th of 30): 72 for 426
2006: 18.4% (10th of 30): 94 for 512
2007: 17.4% (18th of 30): 71 for 408
2008: 14.8% (27th of 30): 53 for 358
2009: 15.7% (26th of 30): 50 for 318
2010: 16.4% (24th of 30): 47 for 286
Total: 16.8%: 387 for 2308

The fact that this year’s total of 16.4% was the 4th highest in franchise history and the highest since 2007 and the fact that the percentage has increased in the past 2 seasons over the previous year’s total directly disproves your assertion. Or the fact that before the 2 for 28 slump, the PP percentage was 17.4%, which would have been the second highest in franchise history.

And per your petition, you cite:

“Here is a great example: In the last 15 games of the 2009-2010 season AND the first 4 of the Post-season, the Preds powerplay has gone 3-57…that is a measly 5% effectiveness…and 0% effectiveness in the Post-season (0-17 total)”

In the last 15 games (3/12 – 4/10) of the season, the Preds went 4 for 35. In the playoffs, we are 0 for 13. That’s 4 for 48 (8.3%), not 3 for 57 (5.2%). Not to mention that if that’s a “great example”…take a look at the 15 games before your arbitrary 15 game cutoff, when the Preds went 11 for 52 (21.2%)

But you know, don’t let the facts get in the way of your statistical argument.

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Ignore the bottom

I messed my math up pretty bad from the end of the sentence that ends with “assertion”.

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Um, you need to think twice...

I consider going from 11→10→18→27→26→24 getting statistically worse, but you know, whatever works for you.

As for my citation, the last 15 games? Going 4 for 35? Yeah, you’re wrong, and here is your proof:

Fri, Mar 12 @ Anaheim W 1-0 Powerplay: 1-4
Sun, Mar 14 @ LA Kings W 3-2 Powerplay: 0-1
Tue, Mar 16 Philadelphia W 4-3 SO Powerplay: 0-0
Thu, Mar 18 Minnesota W 5-0 Powerplay: 1-3
Sat, Mar 20 Columbus W 1-0 OT Powerplay: 0-3
Sun, Mar 21 @ St. Louis W 3-2 Powerplay: 0-3
Tue, Mar 23 Dallas L 1-3 Powerplay: 0-5
Thu, Mar 25 Phoenix W 4-3 SO Powerplay: 0-2
Sat, Mar 27 Detroit L 0-1 SO Powerplay: 0-3
Mon, Mar 29 @ Florida W 3-2 OT Powerplay: 0-1
Tue, Mar 30 LA Kings L 0-2 Powerplay: 0-2
Thu, Apr 1 St. Louis W 3-2 Powerplay: 0-5
Sat, Apr 3 @ Detroit W 4-3 OT Powerplay: 0-2
Wed, Apr 7 @ Phoenix L 2-5 Powerplay: 1-3
Sat, Apr 10 St. Louis W 2-1 SO Powerplay: 0-3

Yeah, pretty sure that sums up to 3 for 40, add in 0 for 17 through game for (that’s 3-57 if you are keeping count now), add in the 5 more from game 5 (that’s 3-62, AMAZING MATH!!!)

Oh, sure, you can use the 15 games before that to validate your argument, where we scored at least 1 goal in 11 of those games on the PP…but how far back do you want to go? Because I’m sure I can show you exactly why this guy needs to be fired. Oh, but by ALL MEANS, don’t let STATS get in the way of YOUR argument.

Oh, to say Horachek isn’t in charge of the PP? You’re wrong…again: http://predators.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2009020328

Read Trotz comments there.

Enjoy, let me know if you have anything else

by PredsFan_303 on Apr 24, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Nashville Media sucks

I moved here 4 years ago from one of the top media centers in the nation. I grew up halfway between Philly and New York. Its hard for a non-hockey sports fan to not know what is going on with the Flyers, Rangers, Devils, Islanders up there. Why? Because they actually get covered. I have said from the beginning of the Balsillie spectacle that the Preds had two main problems that were related. One was corporate support. The other was the lack of coverage in the local media. I couldn’t tell you the first 3 years I was here what station the Preds were on. When a dedicated hockey fan has to scrounge for info how are new fans supposed to get into the game?

by Goofy4JC on Apr 23, 2010 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Columbus can take Peter Horachek...please!

It would be great to play a season against any team that bozo coaches. Our strategy would consist of constant penalties to keep them on the power play. We’d shut ‘em out every night. Keep Brent Peterson here. He’s a fine coach and an extraordinary contibutor to our community.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Apr 23, 2010 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

You do realize

That we were the least penalized team in 31 years this season, right?

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

We could change if it put a Peter Horachuk-coached team on the PP.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Apr 23, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

You do realize...

That Horachek hasn’t coached the PP since 2007.

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Obviously

This was meant as a reply to Hockey Hillbilly.

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait, who is coaching the PP now? If not Horachek, then doesn’t that mess up your stats debunking the petition people?

by Lil cutie on Apr 23, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

No

Because the petition just reports the stats since Horachek has been here…ignoring the fact that he doesn’t actually coach the PP, he was taken off it in October 2007. Peterson was given the task, but Trotz said at some point this year that it was now a “team effort”…which means it’s probably Trotz in charge of it.

by Patten on Apr 23, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions