How high should we set the bar for the 2010-11 Nashville Predators?

by Dirk Hoag on May 24, 2010 10:00 AM EDT in Discussions

This season's first-round playoff loss was a bittersweet experience for Nashville Predators fans - defying outside expectations to even make the post-season was a noteworthy accomplishment, but bowing out to the Blackhawks, especially after holding a lead late in Game 5, was a crushing disappointment.

The question looking ahead to 2010-11, then, is where do the Preds go from here, and just how high should fans set the bar?

Given the likelihood that we'll see pretty much the same team coming to training camp this fall, which achievements during next season would represent progress in your mind? Which of the following would you say is a reasonable goal?

Winning a playoff series
Winning the Central Division regular season title
New franchise records for individual performance (goals scored, points, shutouts, etc.)
A major trophy win for an individual player (i.e., Shea Weber winning the Norris)

Or should fans be content with scrambling to make the playoffs, and hoping against hope that a miracle run lifts them into the second round? I've written in the past that the Preds should aim high, but am I alone here?

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For me, this is easy...

As a fan, my expectations are that David Poile give Barry Trotz a team of players that at least reaches the second round of the playoffs.

Putting aside payrolls, budgets, and personnel for a moment, I believe that it’s crucial for this team to take another step for the its own well being. I base that belief on the perception that the city is on the verge of being frustrated and/or apathetic of a team that is bordering on being stagnant.

The next step is figuring out how to achieve that once you look at the payroll, budget and personnel. I took my stab at it the other day. We’ll see how Poile handles his part of the equation.

Thanks.

My Blog @ HockeyIndependent

by David Singleton on May 24, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

The last two bullet points I care nothing about. If Weber wins the Norris or Hornqvist breaks the team G record, thats fine – as long as it helps the team for the greater good.

Next year, if we don’t win a series, the season was a failure, plain and simple. I’ll even be a little dissappointed if we don’t win the division. I think thats possible, but my early goal for next season is another 100+ pts, the 4 seed, and a series win.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on May 24, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Question...

With their current roster minus Hamhuis, Grebeshkov and likely Bouillon?

Or are you expecting David Poile to make some significant moves?

I think they should be accountable for making it into the second round (meaning some combination of Poile/coaches should be let go). If they lose Hamhuis, Grebeshkov and Bouillon in offseason, I fully expect them to finish anywhere from 10th – 12th.

With those personnel losses, and no coaching changes, I see no improvement on the power play.

I see little improvement on the kill.

I see too many veterans getting older, not better, while still getting more ice time than they likely should.

My Blog @ HockeyIndependent

by David Singleton on May 24, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think, considering Dirk’s post of a couple weeks ago, that we can make any big moves.

Perhaps we do see Arnott, Dumont, and Sullivan decline, but for the little that they fall off we’re going to see Goc, Hornqvist, Wilson, and Spaling improve even more. Wilson should pot at least 40 pts next year, I’d hope. Goc was relied on heavily, so Trotz trusts him, and Hornqvist has loads of untapped potential. Throw in the prospect of seeing some Jon Blum or Blake Geoffrion and things aren’t so dire.

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on May 24, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting..

I agree with Codey that it hinges around special teams, but I’ll throw in the blueline as well.

I don’t see how this coaching staff makes the power play better with the same, or less, talent.

As much as I think Blum is going to be a good player, he can’t replace Hamhuis or Bouillon, much less both.

I don’t have any expectations from Geoffrion at this point.

Now, I see this as a problem that Poile created.

My Blog @ HockeyIndependent

by David Singleton on May 24, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Two Different Scenarios...

Dirk, let me put this a little differently.

I’m going to assume that when you mean “same team”, you mean without Hamhuis, Grebeshkov and Bouillon (decent chance).

Given that, my expectations are that the team would finish about 10 – 12th. If they miss the playoffs, I believe one or more people in management and/or coaching should be held accountable as they created the problem this team has (bad contracts and bad power play coaching).

From a player standpoint, at this moment in time, I expect 10 – 12th. From a management/coaching standpoint, I hold them to expectations of reaching the second round.

My Blog @ HockeyIndependent

by David Singleton on May 24, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

2nd Round or Bust

The Preds are becoming a recurring joke in the playoffs. 5 first round exits are creating apathy in the community to the point where sporting goods stores won’t even bother carrying playoff gear until they at least make that second round.

I firmly believe the only reason Trotz still has a job after the 2006-07 playoff debacle was because of the imminent sale of the team. Why Horachek still has a job is beyond me. At some point this constant extending of coaches contracts before the end of the season has to stop and the coaching staff needs to be held accountable for their failures. There’s a pretty long track record of failures in the power play and the playoffs. The penalty kill I’m willing to pass off as an aberration caused by Trotz’s continuous pairing of Hamhuis and Klein in those situations. I expect it to get much better next season as it has been in years past.

by Predaceous on May 24, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

Special Teams

During the regular season:
-Power play has to improve, this has been a thorn in the side since inception.
-Penalty kill has to return to being a strong point of the Predators
-Trotz/Poile have to be willing to make something happen to hold dead weight accountable, if that means scratching one of our top players to send a message.. do it. Don’t increase ice time expecting different results.

There are a lot of things that have to happen in the first 82, to expect to see any kind of different results in the post-season.

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by codeyh on May 24, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

I think I’ll wait to see what our blueline looks like and if forwards like horny re-sign

by flyalder on May 24, 2010 12:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Not very high

I want to be surprised when they do well again. It’s going to be more or less the same roster with more AHL guys. And the lack of accountability for veterans on this team will be there with the same frustration. I don’t see much changing.

I’ll hope for the best though.

by ahall07 on May 24, 2010 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

2nd round or bust, awards and records can wait.

by Jones36 on May 24, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Not Bigger...

…but clearer. Winning a playoff series is daunting. Let’s break the sh*t sandwich into bite size pieces… “15% power play conversion through the first 20 games.” “Positive goal differential at the break.”

I think individual records are great too. Gets the guys excited to work harder for each other, in a way Trotz can’t. Especially the younger guys.

Oh, and fire Horacheck.

by stackiii on May 24, 2010 11:23 PM EDT reply actions