Saturday's notes: Should the Predators call up some Admirals?

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 22, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in Nashville Predators News

Regardless of whether you believe the Nashville Predators slow start is cause for long-term concern, I think we can all agree that the current lineup isn't showing much of that elusive "chemistry" right now, and that some form of change is in order. With trades being so difficult to make at this stage of the season, the only ready avenue for David Poile and his staff is to shuffle some players back and forth between Nashville and Milwaukee.

But who should go, and who should stay? Do you call up the hottest hand offensively and hope they can contribute at the NHL level (like Chris Mueller or Ryan Thang), or go with someone who you think could more effectively play close-checking, 1-0 or 2-1 games? Maybe someone like Zack Stortini could add an element of energy and competitiveness that has been lacking so far.

While some would call for more radical change, the prudent first step for the Preds will be to try and leverage their organizational depth to pull out of this early-season funk. But just how should they do that? Offer up your solution in the comments below, while reading your morning hockey notes...

Looking for cheap Nashville Predators tickets? Take the OTF Discount!

Nashville Predators News

The View from 111: Trotzy's Tirade Goes International
We may chuckle at Barry Trotz's quotes sometimes, but over in Sweden, his "horrible" comment about Mattias Ekholm drew lots of attention. One has to wonder if this coverage would play into Ekholm's decision of as to whether he'd want to go back to the Swedish Elite League if the Preds want to cut him from their NHL roster.

Weekend Preview: Will Trotz lose it? Wings-Caps - CBSSports.com
Well, at least Trotzy is in mid-season form. The media are soaking up his quotes from Vancouver still.

The Smartest Spenders in Sports - Businessweek
We've seen several hockey-related analyses before pointing the Preds out as getting the most bang for the buck in the NHL, but this one brings MLB, the NBA, and NFL into the mix, too.

Lead by Example: How Shea Weber is Darkening the Path | The Predatorial
Jeremy implores the captain to stay out of the box.

Smashville 24/7: Smashville On The Glass - Mitch Korn featured
Ryan & Buddy chat up the Preds' goalie coach.

The 303:30 – Weber’s hearing, the losing streak and Preds blogger Ryan Porth | Section 303
Jeremy & Ryan aren't ready to criticize Barry Trotz or David Poile for how things are going, just hold until Mike Fisher, Francis Bouillon, and Patric Hornqvist are healthy.

Oh CANA-daaaaa! Admirals head to British Columbia for a pair of weekend games | hockeygalmilwaukee
The Admirals get their western road trip on.

Veteran F Dumont has agreement in place to join Bern - TSN
Bon Voyage, J.P.

O’Reilly’s groin better and notes - Predators Insider
It sounds like Cal should be available again soon...

Mattias Ekhom’s struggles lead to questions about his immediate future - Nashville Predators Examiner
Coach Trotz, or Colonel Kurtz?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Peter Forsberg on foot issues: ‘I should have quit earlier’ - Puck Daddy
You don't usually hear a retired athlete say he shouldn't have hung on so long.

Analyzing James Neal’s Fast Start in Pittsburgh - The Hockey Writers
Is Neal bound to cool off? Certainly, but the Penguins have been fortunate to enjoy his hot play while waiting for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to return.

An Explanation: Replacing LW, R and C with F1, F2 and F3 - Backhand Shelf
Don't get so hung up on where guys line up for the faceoff dictating where else they should go on the ice.

Brawls ‘aren’t causing’ head trauma: doctor - National Post
An interesting counterpoint to much of the concussion-related talk from this summer.

Interview with LA Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell | Hockey Independent
Many people assumed that Willie Mitchell's time as a Top 4 defender was done after concussion problems dogged him, but he could prove to be a key cog for the Kings.

Why Ottawa Senators Should Send Mika Zibanejad Back to Sweden - The Hockey Writers
Ottawa, too, has a question about what to do with a sensational Swedish prospect.

Joe Thornton at 1,000 games: Are we watching Hall of Fame career? - Puck Daddy
If he were still playing in a major NHL market like Boston, we wouldn't even be seeing this question.

Please Get Buff Off of the Blue Line - Arctic Ice Hockey
Should Dustin Byfuglien play at forward or defense? I suspect his skating will be an issue no matter where he lines up.

Return of the Ace: Zach Parise's Start to the 2011-12 Season - In Lou We Trust

Yup, he's dreamy.

WHL: Pats score with rapture-related ticket promo - Buzzing The Net
You've got to love minor/junior league ticket promotions...

CSSI Analysis: Red Wings 5 - Blue Jackets 2 - Winging It In Motown
Detroit takes its turn at dismantling the Blue Jackets.

Canes Fall in OT: Blues 3, Hurricanes 2 - Canes Country
Jason Arnott popped in his 3rd goal to help lift St. Louis to victory.

Sharks come back twice against Devils, win 4-3 in the shootout - Fear The Fin
Joe Pavelski tied it late for San Jose, allowing them the chance to take the shootout.

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thang

Thang left last nights Admirals game right after scoring his goal. Sounded like he was ridden hard into the boards, but got up and skated off under his own power. Didn’t return though. The abbotsford player was given a 5 minute and a game.

by jasonbohn9 on Oct 22, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

Well crap.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 22, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Mueller

Mueller should be called up, Geoffrion sent down. Should have been that way after pre-season.

by Predaceous on Oct 22, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

I’d like to see Mueller up here for a while.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 22, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

by IG-PRED8 on Oct 22, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m with y’all.

by OddManRush on Oct 22, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Mueller, but

Geoffrion’s been one of the few guys that can play physical so far. I’d rather send O’Reilly down and scratch McGratten more often.

by NikoliVoltron on Oct 22, 2011 4:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

he'd be claimed off waivers in a heartbeat

by djzielin on Oct 23, 2011 3:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, that should not happen. I want him here.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Oct 23, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

let’s see…what line showed “chemistry” in the two wins…Legwand-Wilson and someone else….hmmmmm…I forget….who was that again? He hasn’t done a whole lot since then……

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 22, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, seems like Trotz has some sort of “kick start” rotation going. He keeps putting different guys with Wilson and Legwand. I’d like to see Smith back on that line too. I’d also like to just see some roster changes in general. I’m really starting to feel like this year’s roster is more about Poile’s ego than anything.

He was hyping on the 6 defensemen all being Preds draft picks. I’m sure he’d like to ice an entire team of his own draft picks. I just don’t think he knows how to implement that plan properly. Shoving this many rookies into the mix all at once was a mistake. He needs to correct that mistake or risk losing everything the organization gained with their playoff run last season.

by Predaceous on Oct 22, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

We all know one lousy defensive shift when you are a rookie, sophomore, third- year player gets you sent to the gulag. Or playing alongside Mcgoonen. I wish Trotz would show a little more patience with players that actually show an offensive spark.

by 901predfan on Oct 22, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree 100% with Predaceous. When your best options to try and improve your teams fortunes are bringing up people like Stortini or Mueller, your GM hasn’t done their job. One word I use to describe Poile (one that I can type on here at least, LOL!) Is hubris. His “I’m smarter than the conventional wisdom” act is what gets us in these situations in the first place, along with his over-rating of his draft picks.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Oct 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So… what you’re saying is that the waiver pickup of McGrattan was not the catalyst that the team was looking for? Shocking.

Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.
Follow me on twitter:@3DLink

by 3DLink on Oct 22, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

who woulda thunk it

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Oct 22, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I STILL don’t understand what the hell was going through their minds when they made that decision.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Oct 23, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

My friend, a Stars fan, has been chirping me on Facebook

I would think the yelow uniforms would help blind opposing goalies, and that would work in the Pred’s favor. Maybe it’s not working so well, though.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Lightning Goalies--0 for 4 on the poke check in October 2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 22, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Just put the Captain America line back together please. Get fish and cube back. Send down geoffrion and call up Mueller or bourque

by DonBorvio on Oct 22, 2011 12:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Oh and with spals back with toots and smitty

by DonBorvio on Oct 22, 2011 12:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree that the Captain America line should reunite. I also agree we should call Mueller up. The kid led the Preds in preseason goals for crying out loud. I know it’s just preseason but he showed the ability to actually get pucks on net and seemed to have some nice chemistry with Bergfors. As an Admirals fan, he and Halischuk always had crazy chemistry when they played together here and they continued that last year when they played together with JP. That was about the only time Dumont showed some spark last season.

by ninab on Oct 22, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

Lines

I’m going to approach it like this: Which players are qualified to play on each line based on their current level of play.

Top 6 Forwards: Legwand, Wilson, Kostitsyn, Hornqvist
3rd Line: Tootoo
4th Line: Smithson, Spaling, Hustlechuck
Goon: McGrattan

That leaves 2 spots open among the Top 6 and 2 spots open on the 3rd line. Do any of these players deserve a spot on any of these lines: Bergfors, Geoffrion, O’Reilly, Smith

I know I’m going to get a lot of comments about Smith, but since his hot start, he has been invisible. To me, the question is, should we replace any of these 4 players with a player from Milwaukee? I say give Mueller a shot and bring back Stortini for some energy. Weren’t we 2-0 with Stortini on the roster?

On D, I’d like to see a healthy Josi get a chance once he’s up to speed. Ekholm obviously needs minutes in Milwaukee.

by Griz-ATL on Oct 22, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions