David Poile Addresses Media at Predators Development Camp
by Marc Torrence on Jun 30, 2011 4:55 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators News
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PrintI'll have a report up from camp up soon, but the biggest story from today was David Poile speaking publicly about the qualifying offer situation, Shane O'Brien, Joel Ward, some potential offseason moves and more. You can listen to the whole thing here, but here are some quick highlights from his address:
- We've got the full scoop here, but the Predators have decided to buy out JP Dumont. It's an unfortunate situation all the way around, but the reality is that Dumont just isn't the player he was when the Predators extended his contract, and isn't worth $4M anymore.
- The Predators won't be re-signing Shane O'Brien. Poile said, "It's no indictment against Shane, it's just, in my mind, in our evaluations with our coaches and staff, we have so many other young defensemen." And he's right. Ellis and Josi are two young prospects who will most likely be NHL-ready next year, and Teemu Laakso will contribute as well. SOB probably had the most memorable one-year stay in Nashville of any free agent and we'll all miss him and his "scoreboard" taunt dearly.
- Joel Ward and Marcel Goc will hit the free agent market tomorrow. Poile said that he has been in talks with both players and that they feel it's in their best interest to test the free agent waters and try to determine their market value before signing a contract. He compared it to Joel Ward's situation two years ago when he became a free agent, but ultimately ended up signing with Nashville.
- Poile addressed the health concerns of Francis Bouillon and Matthew Lombardi. He said Bouillon is "feeling much better and starting to exercise on a regular basis" and Lombardi is doing "better but he's certainly not doing enough to get us excited about his prognosis."
- Negotiations with Weber are still ongoing, but it doesn't sound like the sides are close to getting a deal done yet. Poile also mentioned that there are a few "comparables" that haven't signed yet that they are waiting to see about.
- About the qualifying offer situation, Poile basically went no comment. He acknowledged that the NHLPA had filed a grievance, that the team was adamant they hadn't done anything wrong, but that he couldn't answer anything else because "this is now a matter between the NHL and the NHLPA." Poile doesn't know how long the arbitration will last, but they are treating the situation as if the players are restricted free agents.
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Sign the World Wide Weber already!
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Jun 30, 2011 5:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Getting rid of SOB is a mistake.
Instead, we should be getting rid of some of our wuss-type Dmen who are ready to play in the NHL like Laakso and Josi.
Maybe trade some of our good young D for somebody who can score instead?
Never mind, I had already forgotten that our Jack Adams nominated coach doesn’t think we need offense.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
I can’t wait until NHL 12 when I can finally start up BAP and play at a wuss-type dman!
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I agree about SOB
Who is going to keep the Sedins off our goalies? The team needs some toughness and SOB brought it every night…I’ll miss him.
100% agree
This is a HUGE mistake. You can talk all you want about how many prospects we have on D, but we don’t have ANY that match O’Brien style, size, toughness and attitude.
It’s taking away from one of our few areas of strength. Our PK went from 28th in the league last year to 11th this year and O’Brien was a big factor in that as a member of the #1 PK pair.
I can’t help but feel it’s second verse, same as the first. It feels like every year Poile thinks our young D-men are ready to step up. Every year we go into camp and find out that they’re NOT ready to step up or that we desperately need some veteran help and toughness. Then he’s stuck either trading or signing somebody’s leftovers. We have the PERFECT fit right now for that role. To let him go is mind boggling stupid.
And after watching Belak rot on the bench these past few years, earning money and taking up a roster spot for the sole reason that he was a good “locker room guy”….it blows me away that we’re letting Sullivan and O’Brien go. Two good locker room guys who actually contributed to on ice success as well.
Quite frankly, the more guys I see leave this team, the more I question if keeping Weber is really worth it. We’re not going to remain a competitive team if all we’re willing to do is pay Weber and Suter big money and fill the rest of the team with rookies.
Picking up someone elses leftovers?
Oh, like when we picked up Shane O’Brien last year?
Something Funny
There's not many guys like SOB out there.
He was a gem. Not for scoring, but for playing solid D, which he did, but more importantly for his attitude and keeping Pekka safe in the crease.
Weber could do that job, but he doesn’t. And none of our other D do either.
That’s why I think he’s valuable. I’d pay him $2M, which is a raise yet reasonable at the same time.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
We still have this guy named Bouillon, perhaps you’ve heard of him?
Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."
Yes perhaps....
….isn’t he the dude who missed the latter half of the season with a concussion?
I agree with your point that he’s also a solid type Dman also, like SOB. But I think somebody said he’s in the bat cave with Lombardi cause the light still makes his head hurt.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think maybe Mattias Ekholm is the future in this role as well.
Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."
Who is that?
And when is the last NHL game he played?
I’m sure we have a prospect for every type of Dman that’s ever been seen in the history of hockey. But what can they do for me today?
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say when the Cube is done, next couple years most likely.
Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."
Exactly
But I’m talking about now, not in the next couple of years.
What’s the best thing to make us better now?
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s the other problem. If there’s a guy on this D we should be moving it’s Bouillon. Even without the concussion O’Brien proved far superior to him in every way. Poile should do whatever it takes to rid of him and use his salary to raise SOB.
It’s less money but I predict Bouillon to be this year’s Dumont and choosing him over SOB will be a regret.
I can't really agree with this..
While I loved having SOB on the team and wish we could keep him, Cube isn’t really a lesser option, IMO.
Remember how much we were celebrating him this time last year? I thought he played well up until his untimely injury, also. Maybe I’m remembering trough rose-colored glasses, but he’s no JP Dumont.
EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!
Defensively I agree that there's not much difference.
But SOB is younger than Frankie and on the upswing, not the downswing.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 1, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
double that
Last year I was thinking our D versus Chicago’s O and it didn’t happen we got pushed around. SOB showed us how it supposed to be done and we fought back against the Duck and withstood them and SOB made Weber a more dominating player by showing that you clear the net and take up for your teamates and throw your weight around. SOB will be missed and now we have wusses like Klein who couldn’t fight his way his own shadow
Don't agree about the Klein-wuss comment....
….but I fear that we will revert to being pushed around next year, just like we always have been in the past.
Big mistake.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 1, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
SOB = Klien with a big mouth
both guys give me a heart attack when they contact the puck with their stick. I do like SOB though. I liked his white flag towel in the box thing he did. fun guy.
Something Funny
We’re really lamenting the loss of SOB?
SOB is at best a #4 d-man who brings some toughness … he’s replaceable and not worth any raise he’ll want this off season. We’re a team without a QB on the PP, but let’s leave Josi and Ellis in Milwaukee. That is an approach. Weber/Suter … Cube/Klein …. Blum/Franson/Josi …… Ellis and Laakso in Milwaukee ready for a callup.
Weber gets signed when Weber gets signed. His switch of representation so late in the game set things back. He’ll be here at least next year … worst case …. if everything goes to arbitration and he elects for a one year award. Most likely, a deal gets done in a week or two and we never see this go to a hearing.
Get rid of Franson to bring up Ellis
I agree that Ellis would do wonders for the PP, but not Laakso or Josi. And Frankie? He’s a concussion waiting to happen nowadays, kinda like that Lombardi guy.
In the D corps, you have to have that combination of skill and nastiness. We can’t have a team full of soft, offensive Dmen. You also have to have some grit, which is what SOB brings us.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Brought.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Jun 30, 2011 6:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Indeed.
English is my 2nd language.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s your first, COBOL?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Jun 30, 2011 6:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
On a roll today cisar, haha!
EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!
Haha, more like Visual BASIC.
Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."
Is this computer-dork comedy night or something?
LOL!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jul 1, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Sad computer dork tale
During the 90’s I plied my trade as a Cobol programmer/analyst working on AS400’s. I always wanted to get into something a little more modern (i.e. Java) but the opportunities at work never arose. Eventually I got a new job as a systems analyst, no hands-on programming at all… I was moving up the ladder!
Then, a year later, JOB CUTS. They gutted about 1/3rd of our IS department, so they asked me to pick up some programming duties since I had some background there. I would need to learn a different language on the AS400, called RPG. I was pretty honked off about it, as it seemed like a step back job-wise, and certainly not in a forward-looking technical direction, either.
That week, Computer World magazine had its 40th Anniversary issue. On the cover, they reprinted the cover of their initial issue (from the early 60’s).
The headline blared “Is RPG Obsolete?”
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to news, reviews, and deals on hockey equipment and accessories. Catch me on Twitter, or join OTF on Facebook!
For all of our talk about “offensive” d-men, we lack anything resembling a QB. Franson and Weber have the big shot from the point …. Klein thinks the puck comes with a pulled safety pin, Cube isn’t a QB … that leaves Suter and Blum. Josi is actually an upgrade as far as puck moving, potential QB than most of our current d-men.
Timonen, Zidlicky, Lehtonen are gone and have been for years … just like our PP success.
I doubt Josi is the answer.
But if he is, then I will stand corrrected!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jun 30, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, we're lamenting the loss of SOB
for all of the reasons mentioned above. You are assuming Cube will be good to go this fall. We could be looking at two rookie defensemen, Blum, and Klein. I shudder to think.
Why is O’Reilly included in the list of RFA’s with questionable qualifying offers? It was intimated on this very site over a week ago that he had re-signed.
After Trotz’s recent remarks regarding the offense, it would not surprise me if Weber went to arbitration, played out his year, and walked. He may like playing here but I bet he would like playing for the Cup more.
The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
by shoot the puck on Jun 30, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
#3
This current mess is exactly what Weber was NOT talking about when he told Poile he’d like to see the team become more competitive…
There are 29 teams around the league who are probably about to get to play ‘fix the holes’ with what used to be 1 quarter of our roster… this sucks. Even if we re-sign our R/UFA’s, where is the guy that’s going to follow in your namesake? I was expecting this team to be more competitive next year, not less.
As for Klein and Blum, I can’t really shudder at the thought of them being key defensemen in the coming year. Unless Poile has decided to take an early retirement and not accept what the arbitrator deems a good value for Weber, we should still be pretty solid with the nearly half hour of ice time twins taking the main work load.
EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!
And by solid...
…I meant the blue line and between the pipes.
EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!
We’re really lamenting the loss of SOB?
SOB is at best a #4 d-man who brings some toughness … he’s replaceable and not worth any raise he’ll want this off season. We’re a team without a QB on the PP, but let’s leave Josi and Ellis in Milwaukee. That is an approach. Weber/Suter … Cube/Klein …. Blum/Franson/Josi …… Ellis and Laakso in Milwaukee ready for a callup.
well said. although Blum & Franson are better than Bouillon and Klein. If you ever watch a CBC game where they cover the Preds, the Canadian media are always calling Franny a poor man’s Weber. I think Franson has to get another year (maybe two) under his belt and he’ll be a top flight D-man. And from what I’ve seen out of Blum, the kid really appears to be the next stud D-man. If we can lock our guys up, we may all be seeing the best blue line top to bottom in the NHL in 12-13.
I could see SOB going to the Canes.......
They could really use a tough Dman like SOB to give Cam Ward some protection back there. Would be a good fit.
by Grizzledbear on Jun 30, 2011 8:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think Trotz’s comments about not needing offensive players will insure that we never make it beyond the first or second round of the playoffs.
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
It is equally depressing and maddening. Just hope Poile has a different take on things, as he has stated that we’re short a top 6 forward.
by Grizzledbear on Jun 30, 2011 9:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Am I the only who thinks it’s a mistake for the Preds to treat the contract situation like the guys are still RFAs? I mean, it sounds good that they’re confident, but couldn’t they sign elsewhere if they get an offer? Seems it’d be better to sign them now and be done with it. At least if they actually plan on keeping them in the first place…..
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
I don’t even know where to start:
1) I will miss SOB. Good player but only worth bringing back at the right price.
2) SOB did not teach Weber to clear the crease. He did not teach Weber anything ever. Weber has been ragdolling the Ryan Keslers off the world for quite some time.
3) If Ryan Suter is not a PP qb then I don’t know who is. He is very offensively creative with the puck. He just lacks the powerful shot that can make all the difference. The preds d men were the only viable part of the power play.
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