10 Predictions for the Preds 2011-2012 Season.

by Ethan Davis on May 14, 2011 11:08 PM EDT

10. J.P. Dumont and Steve Sullivan will retire and be replaced by Matt Halischuk and Austin Watson.

9. Alexander Radulov will come back to Smashville.

8. Colin Wilson will have a breakthrough season.

7. Jonathon Blum will return.

6. Matthew Lombardi will return and be a leading scorer.

5. Pekka Rinne will again carry the team.

4. Shea Weber will lead all d-men in scoring.

3. Joel Ward will stay.

2. The Preds will get Brad Richards in a trade.

1. The Preds will win the Central Division for the first time in franchise history.

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no way on 10,9,4,2 and probably 1. its possible we wont be in the central for starters. weber could lead in goals, but he doesnt get enough assists to lead all dmen in scoring. i have my doubts on 3 and 6 as well, although i do think lombardi is back sometime next season.

by predswilrule on May 14, 2011 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

For #2

Instead of Richard, can we make it Zach Parise?

I live in the OC.
The one in OH.

by MattBen on May 15, 2011 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

I so much hope we do! :)

As for the top 10 list, Watson isn’t playing here next season, needs work in the AHL for at least a season. Rads I predict will stay right where he is in the KHL. And are we talking Brad Richards or Mike Richards? Either way, I don’t either one ending up here. And Sully & Dumont need to be replaced by scorers, not muckers and grinders.

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 1:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oops, you did say Brad Richards. He’s a UFA who will get 7+M this summer, to rich for our wallet.

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 1:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Trade for Ovie, coax Rads back.

Since #2 will simply not happen (some team would have to sign him and then trade him to us):

I change my trade idea, give the Caps: Klein, Ellis, Lindback + future considerations. Call up Josi, keep an eye on Ekholm to come up mid-season perhaps (he’s got a great shot from the circles and big size to replace Klein.) Re-sign and call up Dex.

I do agree with 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, and 1 though :D (10 is possible, but not likely for Watson yet and I think Lombardi is done unfortunately)

"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"

by DonBorvio on May 15, 2011 2:58 AM EDT reply actions

How ‘ya gonna pay Ovie’s salary? :p

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 7:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Break the bank.

Lose some revenue sharing, go to 70% of the cap. Or do we just want to sit around at 50% forever?

Or I can win the lottery, I’ll pay his damn salary lol.

"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"

by DonBorvio on May 15, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That sounds like the plan in Columbus.

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter, or join our site on Facebook!

by Dirk Hoag on May 15, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Heck, I’ll chip in a couple of bucks to help with that salary, and I’m a broke grad student!

by davisca on May 15, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The mid-point of the cap will likely always be our effective cap limit unfortunately. Still, if we move 1 or 2M out in a trade and let go/buyout a few players, a 5 or 6M player could be had. I’m talking you Zach Parise! :D (I can dream too). :)

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 11:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

10. J.P. Dumont and Steve Sullivan will retire and be replaced by Matt Halischuk and Austin Watson.

Hope you are at least right about the retirement part.

9. Alexander Radulov will come back to Smashville.

Only if the Russians stop paying him.

8. Colin Wilson will have a breakthrough season.

Yeah, in Milwaukee.

7. Jonathon Blum will return.

No argument there.

6. Matthew Lombardi will return and be a leading scorer.

Believe it when I see it.

5. Pekka Rinne will again carry the team.

Tell us something we don’t know.

4. Shea Weber will lead all d-men in scoring.

He could if he were more accurate.

3. Joel Ward will stay.

Let’s hope so.

2. The Preds will get Brad Richards in a trade.

Like we’re gonna pay him and Weber $7 mil plus apiece.

1. The Preds will win the Central Division for the first time in franchise history.

Not without more offense.

The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.

by shoot the puck on May 16, 2011 4:19 AM EDT reply actions

"Yeah, in Milwaukee."

Hahahahaha!

EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!

by Poiju on May 16, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of Rads:

Quote from Puck Daddy’s interview with Pekka:

A certain talk comes up every offseason regarding the Nashville Predators and Alexander Radulov(notes). But this season there is a real expectation that Radulov may indeed come back to the NHL. You played with him a little bit. If he comes back, what do you think the reaction will be in the locker room? Will players forgive him?

We, players, never speak about this topic. I think everyone has put it behind. He made his choice at the time and he has been playing [in the KHL] for the last three years. It’s been a long time, and it’s all in the past now. We have put it behind us. It is going to be interesting. No one thinks about that at the moment. But there is no doubt he is a great, great player. He would definitely make our team better. There aren’t that many players on the current team who played with him. For the younger guys and for other guys he will be just like a new player. There are absolutely no hard feelings. If he comes, he will make the Predators a better team.

"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"

by DonBorvio on May 16, 2011 6:01 PM EDT reply actions