The Nashville Predators, and the road not taken - Friday's notes
by Dirk Hoag on Jan 21, 2011 10:37 AM EST
in Nashville Predators News
Email
Print
Just about every fan base in the NHL seems to have one long-standing need which they yearn to see fulfilled. In Philadelphia, they haven't had a stable, franchise goaltender in ages. In Columbus, they've lacked the top-line center who can help maximize Rick Nash's potential. In Toronto... well, that list is pretty long.
With Nashville, folks have long wanted to see the Preds land a high-profile scorer, the kind of guy who can post 40-50 goals and contend with the league leaders. To get those guys, however, teams must typically get them with the very highest of draft picks. Out of the current Top 10 scorers in the NHL, you have 3 first-overall picks (Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin), 1 second-overall pick (Daniel Sedin) and 1 third-overall pick (Henrik Sedin). Since the Preds have iced competitive teams every year since the lockout, they simply don't get to fish in those waters on Draft Day.
Some, then, have mused over the years that perhaps it might be in the best interest of the franchise (not right now, obviously, given their 4th-place standing in the West) to clean out some veterans, go with a youth movement, and try to land such a star player via the high first-round draft pick that comes as the reward for a lousy season.
That's a dangerous course to chart, however, as there's little guarantee that talented youth can gel into a successful team, and once a franchise starts accepting losing, they can get stuck in that cycle for ages. For every Washington and Pittsburgh you also have teams like Florida and the New York Islanders who just can't seem to put it together.
Sunday, the Preds will battle a team which is currently in the middle of this development path, the Edmonton Oilers. After a surprising run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, where they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes, they struggled in recent years before finally clearing the decks and going with youth. They have some exciting young forwards in Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi, and appear headed for another Top 5 pick this summer.
For a look at how the Oilers are working their way through this "tank and rebuild" cycle, I highly recommend you check out Oil Change, the behind-the-scenes series which airs on the NHL Network (the episodes are also available online). If you liked "24/7" featuring the Capitals and Penguins, I'd suggest that watching a team on the opposite end of the NHL standings is perhaps more interesting. There are jobs to be won up and down the roster, so the personal stakes are high for the players and staff alike.
But before settling in for a few hours of "Oil Change", and pondering the road that the Predators have conspicuously avoided, follow after the jump for your morning hockey news!
The Preds have 9 home games coming up in the month of February, including dates against the Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks. Save some cash and get yourself some discount Nashville Predators tickets for these, or any other home game.
Nashville Predators News
For recaps of last night's triumph in Denver, head over to Preds On The Glass, The View From 111, Predlines, and from the losing side, Mile High Hockey, where they weren't impressed with how the Avs responded to that video review in the 2nd period.
Friday Face-Offs, 1/21/2011 | Hockey Independent
David touches on a number of issues surrounding the Preds, from the future of Cal O'Reilly and Marcel Goc to his personal campaign to bring Jarome Iginla to Nashville.
Preds On The Glass: Predators Riding High in the Saddle and Friday Wrap-Up
Buddy takes a look over at SportsClubStats.com and sees some good news.
Paul McCann - Take Two and Move On...
Sometimes the breaks go against you, other times, they work in your favor, so you simply thank the hockey gods and look ahead to the next game.
Fixing the Admirals Power Play, Three Solutions - Admirals Roundtable
I'm shocked, shocked I say, to hear that the Milwaukee Admirals are having trouble on the power play!
Late Goal Earns Point For Admirals | Admirals Roundtable
Roman Josi's 3rd period goal got the Admirals to OT, where they fell to Edmonton's AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons.
Jon Greenberg Chat Transcript | Admirals Roundtable
In a Q&A with fans, the President of the Milwaukee Admirals talks about the possibility of an Admirals game in Nashville, and a Predators game in Milwaukee.
Predators’ seek cash, investment push could reach $25M | Nashville Business Journal
It looks like I need to break into the kids' piggy banks...
Confirmed: Jonas Andersson of Kazan - hockey Express
Run this Swedish site through your favorite translator, to read about former Predators Jonas Andersson finalizing a deal with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL. So much for that second chance at redeeming his 2nd-round selection by the Preds back in 1999.
O'Reilly's bad break - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper notes that last night would've been a neat opportunity for Cal to face off against his brother Ryan, but both are injured right now.
Preds get caught up - NashvillePost.com
J.R. Lind provides his report on yesterday's Metro Sports Authority meeting, which also highlights Bridgestone Arena's bustling business of late.
Top Prospects Shine for NHL GMs, Scouts -- NHL FanHouse
Nashville GM David Poile was one of many who watched some of the top players eligible for this summer's draft play an exhibition game in Toronto.
Around the NHL
The NHL Guardian Project origin story: Behind the scenes of hockey's most controversial new marketing effort - Puck Daddy
Get the scoop on where The Guardian Project has come from, and where it's going. I tell you, adults may poo-poo this thing, but my kids (ages 8, 8, & 7) bug me EVERY SINGLE DAY to see which hero has debuted, which ones are coming up next, etc. They are excited about this.
Wise ol' Scotty rambles on, and then some - Vancouver Province
When Scotty Bowman talks hockey, you'd best listen.
Updated around midnight: Red Wings officially sign Nabokov, and now the wait begins - KuklasKorner
Stay tuned around 11:00 a.m. Central Saturday, as we hear what happens with Evgeni Nabokov. He has to clear waivers, and there are some reports of back-door dealings with the New Jersey Devils to ensure that he ends up with Detroit. I don't even pretend to understand all the CBA dynamics involved here.
Avalanche's Tomas Fleischmann out for season - All Things Avs
Wow, what a tough break for the Colorado winger, a pulmonary embolism has him on the shelf for quite a while.
Were in trouble | Hockey Independent
One Calgary blogger is ready to torch the Flames.
Curtis Glencross Fined $2500 - Hockey Wilderness
The Calgary Flames forward escaped suspension for a hit put on Minnesota's Clayton Stoner.
The Onset of Cal Clutterbuck - Houses of the Hockey
It sounds like the Minnesota banger is starting to do more than just rack up hits.
Sharks goalie Jordan White? College netminder gets to live the dream for a night — and minor Niitty update | Working the Corners
When Antero Niittymaki suffered an injury during the morning skate, the San Jose Sharks needed to call in an emergency backup from the University of British Columbia.
A Tale of Two Tampas - Behind The Net
It looks like the Lightning may be well positioned to make a big surge in the Eastern Conference.
Video: Controversial goal review angers Kings; GM claims NHL bias - Puck Daddy
Wow, I'm guessing L.A. Kings GM Dean Lombardi is going to backpedal this morning from his whining last night that the war room in Toronto screwed his team because the man performing the review is frustrated over not having gotten his job.
Fight Videos: 80 penalty minutes in 1 second for Senators, Flyers - Puck Daddy
Ottawa and Philadelphia brought the nasty last night...
10 Suggestions For Hockey Day in America That NBC Hasn’t Mentioned Yet " Puck The Media
Steve Lepore has some good ideas about how NBC should handle the big Saturday of hockey coming up next month.
Down Goes Brown: The signs of the hockey zodiac
DGB spins the "new zodiac" story in hockey's direction.
The Hockey News: Too many NHL games lead to too many injuries
Adam Proteau thinks that all of a sudden, the 82-game schedule is to blame for all the injuries going on. Really.
Physical And At Times A Violent Sport - KuklasKorner
In an all-too-rare opinion piece, Paul Kukla compares the physical nature of the modern game to days gone by.
Beer-Dispensing System Will End Ballpark Lines - Playbook
This just made #1 on my "Cool Things They Could Add To Bridgestone Arena" list...
47 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I’d rather be the team that competes every year than swings like a pendulum back and forth from uber-contention to obscurity. And we have no further to look than down the road to Baptist SportsPark for a fine example why that model doesn’t always work. Their #3 overall pick showed some promise, but never lived up to his billing and ended up dividing the locker room and nearly clearing out the coaching staff.
When you look at who the Preds are, they’re a collection of 2nd-8th round guys that bring it (With a few exceptions in Wilson, Legwand, Suter, Goc) most every night. With offensive capable blue-liners, we can counter punch offensive teams into submission and throw pucks on net against defense first teams. It’s a simple model, and when this team gets to forechecking like they should it’s a model capable of beating anyone on any given night, no matter who is on the 4th line.
And I’ve never cared for Proteau.
by ExcellenceThroughGuesswork on Jan 21, 2011 10:48 AM EST reply actions
Sure, Poile could have gone the Chicago route...
but would it have really been worth it to watch tank teams in empty barns all those years? Not for me.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Jan 21, 2011 10:48 AM EST reply actions
And win the cup?
Yes, it would be worth it.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 21, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
Guardian Project
It still doesn’t make any sense to me why something that is supposed to be for kids aged 9-14 is being marketed to adults. Kids aged 9-14 are not on Twitter and Facebook and do not visit NHL.com. In fact, the largest demographic to NHL.com is single males.
Section303.com
by Patten on Jan 21, 2011 11:57 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Why do you think the Guardian Project is being marketed to adults? Kids aren’t grocery shopping on their own either, but you still find kids cereals in the grocery store.
This type of marketing helps create young fans. Again, with the cereal analogy, that’s why they use cartoon characters to market their products. They’re marking to the kids, not the adults. Studies have shown that it’s harder for adults to deny their children something of want than it is to deny themselves. If the kids see these characters, become enamored with them and want to go to a hockey game or buy their team’s merchandise because of them then the NHL is doing exactly what it wants.
What 9 year old kid do you know that is on facebook or twitter or visits NHL.com on a regular basis?
Section303.com
Most of their parents are
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Preds. I can save you a few $$$ on Nashville Predators tickets, or just catch me on Twitter and Facebook.
kind of my point
Geez, this forum needs an edit function
I was replying to Patten, not you.
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Preds. I can save you a few $$$ on Nashville Predators tickets, or just catch me on Twitter and Facebook.
Personally, I love the Guardian Project
If nothing else than to see Stan Lee try to come up with super heroes for some of the mascots in the NHL. The Sabre (he’s hydroelectric!), the Oiler (he shoots oil but in an environmentally friendly way!) I can’t wait for the Canadien, who, I assume, will be bi-lingual and will want to secede from the rest of the Guardians.
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
The Canadien has been revealed, besty
“The Canadien” is a ladies’ man, culturally refined and quite simply the best at everything he’s ever attempted. He expects to win in everything he does and the other Guardians love and respect him. He’s fiercely independent and marches to the beat of his own drum.
He has jets strapped to his boots, inside the housing of the boots he has both hockey blades (for travelling across ice) and in-line skates (for everything else) that, when he fires off his rocket boots allow him to zip around town at incredible speeds. The Canadien has the ability of both Power Augmentation and Power Absorption, meaning he can copy the powers of any of the other Guardians as long as he’s within a few miles of them. Through the use of Power Augmentation, the Canadien can also enhance the powers of his Guardian teammates. Just as in the NHL, all the teams are excellent in their own unique way, but all of them are made a little more valuable by the presence of the Montreal Canadien.
All of that is very real and very much. “The Canadien can enhance the powers …” basically means “Everybody looks good when they play Montreal.”
So Montreal is the Rogue of the Guardians
while we are the Wolverine. I wonder who will be Gambit or, God help them, Jean Grey.
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Long time listener, first time poster (well, second, but whatever)
I have always loved that in the NHL, one player can have such a profound difference (an Ovechkin or Crosby). The problem with that route is that first you have to be so god awful (and usually you have to be in the bottom 3 if not the worst team in the NHL) to have the opportunity to pick them in the first place. If I had to watch the Edmonton Oilers night in and night out the last few years, I would be in a padded cell singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” to a collection of imaginary creatures. Also, not all of these picks pan out. I don’t want to dump on Legwand (who I actually like, certainly more than I used to) but we took him second overall. He has not been the franchise cornerstone that we might have expected. I think it makes a lot more sense, especially in today’s NHL with the hard salary cap, to divvy up the money you would pay one superstar on several players and spread not just the risk but also the expectations; become a team and not just one guy and some assorted flunkies.
Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen.
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 11:58 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Fine insight
And it’s no surprise you’re a fan of the Nashville Predators.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Jan 21, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
A hearty welcome to FaaangFiiinger
My best friend who’s been riding shotgun with me up in 303 this season and has been riding shotgun in my crazy adventures a lot longer than that.
Thanks, homey
I, unlike George Plaster, know who JR Lind is. What did you get for your Plas shout-out? Free consultation at Genesis Diamonds?
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Other ways you are not like George Plaster
You know what a “cell phone” is.
You do not limit my responses to you in time increments of 30 seconds (“give me 1 minute,” “give me 90 seconds,” etc.)
You do not regularly take sole credit for keeping the Predators in town.
I have never heard you speak of three generations of Smiths OR Joneses.
LOL
Someone’s signature here needs to be something like “JRLind: on a car phone”.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Seems like you are…um… Plaster Baiting?
by cisar on Jan 21, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really, George does that every afternoon.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Jan 21, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
DUDE.
post more.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
No
Deliberate attempts to be bad in the misguided hopes of eventually being great have poor odds of producing the desired results. Plus, it’s counter intuitive. Jeeez, my life is not so good – think I’ll go commit a felony so I get sent to prison where success will certainly follow.
Better to keep working at that which at least has a chance to succeed.
Diff subject but, as others have noted elsewhere, what is with the poor attendance for the Avs? Only 12.638 announced for last night.
I have said it time and time again
Hockey will simply not work in Colorado.
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Didn't they have some massive home sellout streak?
Like, years straight? or was that the Rockies (baseball)?…don’t remember…They used to draw huge crowds there all the time, I know that. It’s weird. (former fan) (this makes three parentheses in one reply, a new record.)
No, I'm pretty sure it was the 'Lanche, my parenthetical-using friend
That’s my go-to joke, but droll doesn’t really come through on the internets.
by FaaaangFiiinger on Jan 21, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
They did
Not only that, but a sports poll in the area showed the Avs to be the area’s favorite sports team. This was back when they were contending for the Stanley Cup every year.
It’s interesting to me because when we were being battered by Canadians for our attendance, Colorado was one team they would constantly point to as a good market. My point was always that they never had to grow with their team. They inherited a Stanley Cup champion. If things had been reversed and we were the team with the instant Stanley Cup Champion don’t you think our attendance would have been similar?
I kept saying that I wanted to see what the fanbase looked like when the Avs began to struggle, and now we’re seeing it. The funny thing is, it really only took one hard year for those fans to jump off the bandwagon. The Avs weren’t supposed to be good last year, but they were, and they’re good again this year, but Denver fans have other things to do. Right Mr. Dater?
Did anyone see the new Tennessean website?
The Preds are below ALL college sports. Even MTSU. Unacceptable.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
DON'T READ BLEACHER REPORT!
by Aditya T (smashville) on Jan 21, 2011 12:51 PM EST reply actions
Never mind.
I sent an angry email to Larry Taft and he changed it.
Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.
DON'T READ BLEACHER REPORT!
by Aditya T (smashville) on Jan 21, 2011 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
I saw that too
In fact, I made a mention of it in Paul’s blog. So good on you. Did you happen to mention to him that you can’t read today’s main Preds article?
Well done.
On the Forecheck: where Paul Kuharsky plays second fiddle.
by Chris Burton on Jan 21, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
Dear Aditya T (smashville)
Please contact Michael Cass and/or Nate Rau at your earliest convenience. Help them sort out their priorities, too.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Jan 21, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Good work
{F!@# it guys, I got this- Pekka Rinne} -redskinsmarc-
by Preds Fanatic on Jan 21, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Q for those smarter than me in the grand scheme of things...
…How good/important was Phil Kessel to the Bruins when his EL contracted ended?
The reason why I asked = the Bruins parlayed him into the 2nd overall pick. My bet is that the Bruins banked on the Leafs to suck, and turned a B+ offensive prospect into Tyler Seguin.
Poile is a smart fella too, ya know. The Panthers are always a nice choice to suggest for a lottery pick, especially with Vokoun not likely to stick around.
by ExcellenceThroughGuesswork on Jan 21, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions
dont forget
the bruins will get another high end draft pick this year as well
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers"
Can you say Radulov?
He was that sniper / top 5 pick for us…even though he was 15th-ish.
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 21, 2011 4:06 PM EST reply actions
I can say "Defectulov"
Yeah, I was extremely excited to get Rads. That was my first draft party at Gillian’s in Opry Mills.
So disappointing in retrospect. Met Adam Hall, though, and Coach Peterson.
by HardCorePredFan316 on Jan 21, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
O'Brien Trade: 47 Games Later
I guess this trade worked out OK after all. I remember many of us were scratching our heads over the trade when it first went down. Now that Anderssssson has returned to the KHL and Parent is toiling in the minors, it looks like another Poile masterpiece. SOB has played in every game (when he wasn’t suspended) and has logged almost 17 min per game. He’s even dropped the gloves a few times and has kept the stupid penalties to a minimum.
I will never doubt Poile again until the next trade.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on On the Forecheck
Related FanShots on On the Forecheck
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
About OTF
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats & analysis, and managing editor of On the Forecheck.
Follow @Forechecker
Got a question, a suggestion, or are interested in advertising here to reach thousands of Nashville Predators fans? Feel free to email the.forechecker@gmail.com.
Featured Stories
Are you new here? Read this first!
Check us out on iTunes!
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
- Adam Henrique sends New Jersey Devils to Stanley Cup Final with OT goal vs. Rangers (VIDEO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Former Oilers Stoll, Greene grateful for 2nd chance when well-rested LA Kings face New Jersey
- Shinnimin named CHL's Player of the Year
- Capitals send left-wing Bourque to Bruins for centre Hamill
- Rangers look to get past hurt of loss to Devils
- Top-seeded Rangers have reasons for optimism after disappointing loss to Devils in East finals
