Tuesday's notes: Predators looking for answers

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 18, 2011 10:45 AM EDT in Nashville Predators News

I'm sure the Nashville Predators are going to have a hard couple of days as they prepare for Thursday's game at Vancouver, with an opportunity to hold a mini-training camp on the road and get the group focused on what they need to do, right now, to start competing more effectively. Judging from the post-game commentary from Barry Trotz and Jerred Smithson, it sounds like nobody (outside of Pekka Rinne, who has done all he can) is immune from criticism. Let's revisit my hopes for this road trip...

For now, follow after the jump for your look around the league...

Nashville Predators News

Preds On The Glass: POTG Tuesday Headlines, News and Links: Predators Need a Quick Turn-Around
Buddy's up and at 'em with his morning links, which include some shark-surfing news.

Paul McCann - Development Needs in Full View
Paul sets up tomorrow night's edition of SlapShot Radio, and reacts to the Preds' play of late.

Switching Places: Better Power Play, Worse Even Strength for the Predators | The Predatorial
This certainly isn't a usual Preds team...

Smithson’s pointed words - Predators Insider
Jerred Smithson for captain? It's a thought... the guy should bear an "A" at the very least.

Predators hit ‘rock bottom’ with 3-1 loss to Edmonton - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond shares Barry Trotz's harsh criticism of David Legwand from last night. Early on, there was another sign of trouble as Leggy dumped the puck in, then got ridden off the play by an Oilers defender - it was a great opportunity to draw an interference call, but Legwand didn't fight through it at all. That one had me rolling my eyes...

A couple of notes from Monday's morning skate - Nashville Predators Examiner
Former Pred Ryan Jones has pulled off the unthinkable, out-mullleting Ryan Smyth.

Shootout Lineup | Admirals Roundtable
Ryan opens up the floor for debate - why Admirals should lead the way in the shootout?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

On Ryan Smyth Bobblehead Night Who Else Would Lead The Way? - The Copper & Blue
The Edmontonian perspective on last night's affair.

MacKinnon: Eberle poster boy for bumping back NHL draft age - Edmonton Journal
A discussion of the recent proposal to push the NHL's draft age up to 19, with Jordan Eberle as an example of a player taking his time to develop before moving up.

Avalanche kiddie corps trending up - The Globe and Mail
Colorado has been a work in progress for a while now, and they're hoping their young players develop into a competitive core soon.

Is Rushing Ryan Kesler a Panic Move? - NHL Hot Stove
Just two days after talking about not quite being ready, Ryan Kesler appears set to return.

Murray discusses Penner’s status " LA Kings Insider
There's an odd disconnect in the way Terry Murray talks about Dustin Penner's knee injury.

Digging a Hole - The Cannon
Things could always be worse... a whiff of panic is in the air around Columbus.

Bobrovsky waiting for his chance - Broad Street Hockey
What about Bob?

Caps' Vokoun adjusts to less stress on the ice - Washington Times
The Capitals are quite different than any team Tomas Vokoun has played on before.

Impact of Winning an Offensive Zone Faceoff, Even-Strength vs Power-Play - Arctic Ice Hockey
A good primer on just how large a factor faceoffs can be over the course of a season. They're not huge, but a team has to look for any edge they can get.

Down Goes Brown: A hockey fan's guide to the World Series
"World Series: "Blocking the plate" can get you seriously injured if you are a catcher and there is a close play at home. NHL: "Blocking the plate" can get you seriously injured if you are dining with Dustin Byfuglien."

Interview With Eric Lindros On His Career, Concussions, Winter Classic Reunion Rumors, More - The Hockey Writers |
It sounds like we might see The Big E in a Flyers alumni game as part of the Winter Classic.

Jaromir Jagr Back in N.H.L. With Fourth Team, the Flyers - NYTimes.com
Early reviews of Jagr's play are encouraging in Philly, but at age 39, can he keep it going?

Dan Ellis earns his paycheck, stops 41 shots for 3-2 win - Fear The Fin
Apparently the Sharks are not part of #DanEllisProblems.

Cats Recap: Powerplay propels Panthers to 7-4 victory over Lightning - Litter Box Cats
Touchdown... Panthers!

Game 6 Recap: Avs Clip Leafs 3-2 in OT; Perfect 5-0 On Road Trip - Mile High Hockey
Colorado's power play has now converted on 7 of their last 12 chances.

Early Goals Hurt: Jets Beat Penguins 2-1 - PensBurgh
Pittsburgh fell behind just 8 seconds into the game last night in Winnipeg.

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Comments

At least we have a couple guys coming back fairly soon who are willing to shoot the puck.

by WMUpilot on Oct 18, 2011 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

(including a full strength Hornqvist since he’s barely even out there right now)

by WMUpilot on Oct 18, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Loved this Puckdaddy Article

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Hockey-Hugs-leaping-superhugs-Bobby-Ryan-coun?urn=nhl-wp15059

by dnorm4 on Oct 18, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Well, our kids are not panning out yet, are they? Are they looking for leadership? If so, may I suggest Smitty, cause I don’t know about the elected leaders we have this season. Actually, I didn’t think too much of them last season. Heck, one of the leaders doesn’t even go with the team on road trips. What’s that all about? These kids are not getting it, and something-what, I don’t know-better be done and soon. As Smithson says, come Dec., if this doesn’t change, we are going to be at the bottom of the pile. And we need to turn this around now, because it isn’t that long until Dec.

"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles

by amyinsparta on Oct 18, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

That's a really interesting point

If Bouillon is traveling with the team just to practice, and Fisher was practicing with the team before they left… why is he staying home?

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by Dirk Hoag on Oct 18, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Too busy promoting his book on the 700 club?

by Lil cutie on Oct 18, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing!

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by Chas-E on Oct 18, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I asked that yesterday and no one answered. So I wasn’t wrong—Fisher was practicing with the team?

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 18, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, search through Josh Cooper’s blog entries, I’m sure there are references in there to Fisher practicing recently.

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by Dirk Hoag on Oct 18, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

They aren’t elected. The coaches choose them. Now why they chose Fisher for the A and then had him stay behind this week is beyond me.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 18, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I do have to disagree with Josh Cooper on the point that Suter had a good game. Yes, he logged lots of minutes and looked alright defensively, but he did have 2 crucial penalties, one of which resulted in the game-tying goal.

"Next time someone tells you Nashville’s not a hockey town, tell ‘em to come to Smashville and try some of the home cookin’." - TSN Broadcaster

by Go_Titans_Preds_USC on Oct 18, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Why is Bryan McCabe not being mentioned to be brought in to shore up the 3rd pairing? Yes he is older, but he could easily play the minutes that our current 3rd pairing is playing and allow us the luxury of not having to play Klein on the PP.

Did the PP have as much trouble gaining entry into the offensive zone during the earlier advantages as they did in the 3rd? I only got to listen to the 1st 2 periods before watching the 3rd, it was not clear on the radio feed (EDM’s call). At least in the 3rd it was so stupid on the players part (not to dump and chase) and the coaches part (not to put guys out there capable of gaining possession on a dump & chase entry). After 2 or 3 tries on the final PP, Suter finally figured out that he couldn’t skate it through the blue line and dumped it in but by that time it was already under 50 seconds left in the advantage.

by wrandsw on Oct 18, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been a proponent of McCabe for a while now. He’ll come cheap, he’s good for those limited minutes, and he’ll provide some much needed ability and leadership on the 2nd PP unit. Its just a matter of how you shake out all the remaining defensemen

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by 3DLink on Oct 18, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Observations

- Great leadership by “old man” Smithson. You like to see your veteran guys step up – even if he isn’t wearing the A.
- It’s early people! If we can stay at .500 (8-8-4) for the first 20 games, we should improve over the final 3/4 of the season. Shouldn’t we? Shouldn’t we?
- I suggested in an earlier post that Poile/Trotz would make some roster adjustments toward the end of the month once the Admirals schedule picks up. Seems like a certainty at this point. Bring up the guys playing well, send down the guys struggling. Big question: what to do with struggling players like O’Reilly who would need to pass through waivers?
- Bergfors isn’t a savior by any means…but with 12 SOG, how can he be sitting in the pressbox?

by Griz-ATL on Oct 18, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

You know, I actually thought, from all the press releases, all the talk by Trotz and Poile, that these kids were going to set the ice on fire. I also thought that Poile was the master drafter. But the Oilers’ kids put ours to shame. What’s going on here? And as for leadership, it appears to me that Suter and Weber get too frustrated too much to be of any help to the rookies. I’m not looking forward to Thursday.

"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles

by amyinsparta on Oct 18, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, to be fair, the Oilers have drafted in the top two or three for many years now. I’m pretty okay with not having first pick at the draft.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 18, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I think a new rule should be looked at

One that limits the amount of top draft choices in back to back to back years. Give time for the choices to make a difference in the standings.

by IG-PRED8 on Oct 18, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not going to panic…..But the lack of shots and the inability to gain control in the offensive zone is a really bad sign.

After we scored it didn’t appear we were excited. There is no emotion.

if this continues for 20 games, we need to make a trade.

by Predator Don on Oct 18, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Having never played hockey

Could someone explain the finer points of the “dreaded bag drill?” I noticed The Cannon author said the BJ’s did the same thing

by Stu0624 on Oct 18, 2011 2:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

A “bag skate” is basically where a coach skates his team without any pucks, working them into the ground as both a conditioning exercise and punishment for playing poorly. It’s kind of like a basketball coach making his team do endless wind sprints.

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by Dirk Hoag on Oct 18, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

A bag skate also l own as a Herbie (Herb Brooks Miracle on Ice fame ) is basically skating your players until they puke and collapse from exhaustion. Skating drills and sprints. Google Bag Skate for more info.

by XVIII on Oct 18, 2011 3:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Known. Not ’ I own’. Blasted little smartphone keyboard.

by XVIII on Oct 18, 2011 3:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

When everyone is healthy

What will the lines look like?

Hornqvist/Fisher/Erat
Wilson/Legwand/Kostitsyn
Tootoo/O’Reilly/Smith
Spaling/Smithson/Halischuk
Bergfors

Weber/Suter
Bouilon/Blum
Klein/Laakso
Hillen

Rinne/Lindback

With Geoggrion and Ekholm being sent down?

by IG-PRED8 on Oct 18, 2011 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

To be honest, this is what I would like to see but I doubt it would happen:

Horny/Fisher/SK74
Wilson/Legwand/Smith
Erat/O’Reilly/Bergfors
Halischuck/Smithers/Tootoo
(Spaling in the pressbox, Geoffrion to the Ads, McGratton to the waiver wire)

Weber/Suter
Klein/Blum
Cube/Ekholm
(Laakso in the pressbox, Hillen waived or traded?)

I’m tired of having more than one ‘checking’ line or top lines sprinkled with players who would be 4th liners on most other teams. It’s not that I don’t like Spaling or Geoffrion, I just don’t think there is room for them right now.

by gojersey on Oct 18, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe Hillen to Toronto with our Conditional 4th

and we get Franson back, Toronto is not really using him any way.

I think your Willy/leggy/smith line and Erat/O’reilly/Bergfors line might be pretty good.

by IG-PRED8 on Oct 18, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

The moment we signed Bergfors I wanted to see him on a line with Cal. Bergfors is a natural scorer, Cal is a natural playmaker. We have to give it a try and allow some time for the chemistry to develop.

by gojersey on Oct 18, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

top 6 forward strategy

Did GMDP take a lesson from Edmonton ? You know he loves his draft picks. Is the strategy to have such an awful season this year that we get to have the first pick in this upcoming draft – and that’s how we get our top 6 forward ? (sarcasm font off)

by XVIII on Oct 18, 2011 3:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

would it matter?

we’d probably end up drafting a goalie anyways…

by JBoogie22 on Oct 18, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see them sending Geoffrion down. He is one of the few forwards showing any hustle right now.
He is also wildly popular witht the hometown crowd and sells a lot of T-shirts.

by Melissa Vanderpool Wallace on Oct 18, 2011 3:21 PM EDT reply actions