Are these Nashville Predators better built for a playoff run?
by Chris Burton on Apr 4, 2010 4:00 PM EDT
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PrintIn this morning's Tennessean, columnist David Climer (pick up your jaw off the floor) made a point that I've been arguing for a good two months now. He says that this edition of Nashville Predators hockey is better suited for a playoff run than any before it, and I wholeheartedly agree:
Credit Barry Trotz for keeping things together. All things considered, this is his best coaching job.
...
From there, the goal clearly is to win at least one playoff series, something that has not happened in franchise history. The deeper the Predators go in the playoffs, the more money they make via ticket sales for home games.
For a franchise that must look under the sofa cushions for loose change, the extra revenue is vital.
Judging from what's transpired the last few weeks, this may not be a one-and-done playoff team.
Before you jump all over David and me and remind us of that 2006-07 squad led by such players as Peter Forsberg, Alexander Radulov, Paul Kariya, and Kimmo Timonen, consider a few facts:
- Nashville is second in the league in offensive balance, with nine players over 30 points.
- Barry Trotz coached his 900th NHL game yesterday.
- Pekka Rinne gives the Predators their best chance at stealing a series since vintage (05-06) Tomas Vokoun.
- Defensive stars Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Dan Hamhuis have matured significantly since those days.
What do you think? Is this the most playoff-ready Predators team we've ever seen? Use this post as a starting point for discussion.
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Just look at how we ended each of the seasons we made the playoffs.
6-6-1 (07-08)
5-5-2 (06-07)
7-6-1 (05-06)
5-5-3-2 (03-04)
We are 10-2-1 in our last 14. This is going to be the best stretch run we’ve ever had, and the most momentum we’ve ever had going into the playoffs. That says it all.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 4, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions
The other part of it is...
we’ll likely be 5th or 6th, playing a more comparable team. I.E. not the Sharks or Wings. I have a good feeling at least about the first round.
Please don't come down too hard
…on David Climer. He put in a good word for David Freeman when the general assignment hacks were brewing a wholly unwarranted tempest in a teapot. Unlike the Thinassean’s blithering idiot Joe Biddle, Climer has a nodding acquaintance with the game, the team and the fans.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Apr 4, 2010 5:15 PM EDT reply actions
Have you ever looked at Biddle's Blog?
It’s embarrassing, I can’t believe someone who actually gets paid to write, publicly posts such utter garbage. There’s little or no insight, and the grammar is horrifying.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
I've gotta say though, from my week at the Tennessean
Biddle was a lot more interesting than Climer. I didn’t hear David say more than a sentence a day, while Joe was a nonstop chatterbox. But that’s probably because Climer’s hard at work, while Biddle’s fooling around. I had to proof read Biddle’s column one day, and it needed A LOT of fixing.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 4, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
No offense, but that says a lot when a professional with decades of writing experience needs a high school kid to proofread his work.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
My note of shock was mainly directed at the fact that an editorial on the Preds was actually written.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 5, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, though the lack of elite level scoring will hurt.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Thats true; especially on the power play, but again, we rely on team offense more than anyone which offsets it a bit (much like Phoenix).
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by Chris Burton on Apr 5, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, just factually, the Blackhawks have 10 players with over 30 points. But assuming the Hawks aren’t the playoff opponent, the Predators should do well in the playoffs, at the very least making it a long series if not winning.
I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!
Actually, we have 10 too.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 5, 2010 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions
From the article
Nashville leads the league in offensive balance, with nine players over 30 points. [emphasis mine]
The Preds have ten with 30 or more, but only 9 with more than 30. It’s nitpicking though, I know.
I agree totally about the stupidity of the average person. Horrifyingly, nearly 50% of people are even stupider!
aah okay
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 5, 2010 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, that warrants fixing.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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Now Cycling like the Sedins
MATCHUP?
it all depends on matchups and injuries. if we drew the wings or sharks, thank god that isnt likely, then my answer is no. if we are healthy and get the yotes, im very encouraged. nucks somewhat encouraged.. hawks would not be a good matchup, but better than the sharks. im guessing we finish 6th and draw the nucks.
I sometimes forget, but then Chris is there to remind me that this years Predators are the best team ever in the history of any sport on any planet in any galaxy.
But seriously, I’ll be rooting for the Preds to come out of the West.
"NZFlyerfan"
??
Being the most playoff-ready team in franchise history isn’t saying an awful lot.
On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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Now Cycling like the Sedins
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