The #7 Moment of the Nashville Predators' 2011 Playoffs: Shane O'Brien goes "scoreboard" on the Ducks

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 20, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Discussions

It's almost like he's pointing to the scoreboard on TV, too.

Earlier this summer we reviewed the Top 10 Moments of the Regular Season, and now seems a fine time to look back at the team's playoff run...

If there was one thing that the Nashville Predators lacked in previous playoffs, it was that mysterious, intangible quality we call "swagger". Without a history of postseason success, the Preds typically lacked that outspoken confidence (cockiness, even) that can not only rally teammates, but rattle opponents.

Right from the start of the 2011 playoffs, however, we could tell that there was something a little different with this edition of the Predators. Shane O`Brien brought a fresh attitude to the locker room all season (the local media even made up a new award to celebrate his candor), and as the oldest active member of the defense during the playoffs, he took it on himself to demonstrate some leadership on the ice, too.

The greatest example there came late in Game 1 vs. Anaheim, with the Preds leading 4-1 and the Ducks looking to send a bit of a message. With under a minute to go, Anaheim was intent on stirring up some trouble, with both George Parros and Jarkko Ruutu out there on the wings. After Parros fired a shot on net, those two along with Todd Marchant crashed the net even though the play was whistled dead:

Parros and Ruutu received misconduct penalties for that nonsense. The best response came from The Mighty SOB, as he let the Ducks know what the important message really was, and a Nashville Predators legend was born:

We'll certainly miss that attitude around Smashville next season, but for Preds fans, this was a highlight to remember!

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I finally got around to watching Game 6 yesterday

and all I can say is that we’re gonna miss Obie for a lot more than just his awesome scoreboard taunt. Along the boards and in front of Pekka, too. Sigh.

"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Aug 20, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

We couldn't afford his $1.1M salary.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 20, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

tutrje tjg rzso (banging my head against my keyboard.)

"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Aug 20, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL :)

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 20, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I resented him...

…at first. But he quickly became one of my favorite players. This article, though brief, was the BEST summary of the reasons Obie made a fan of me. I think I’m more distressed about his departure than anyone else we’ve lost.

by @adiemus on Aug 20, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

I would have said Obie was a second to Goc, but when you consider what O’Brien actually signed for in Colorado, it makes it so much worse. No reason not to keep him at what he made last season, especially considering Cube’s health.

Obie is a very tough, strong, stay-at home d-man with a lot of energy, and we don’t have anyone like him coming up.

"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Aug 20, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Still perplexed as to why we just slammed the door shut on any possibility of re-signing him. Considering what he ended up getting with the Avs, you have to think he would have stayed here for another year for that money. Guess it’s time to see what the wunderkids in the prospect pipeline can do now, but none of them have Obie’s grit.

Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......

by Grizzledbear on Aug 20, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

No disagreement here!

Absolutely no reason not to re-sign him. The loss of SOB and, to a slightly lesser extent, Joel Ward, are the two biggest reasons the Predators will not be as good defensively this coming season.

The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.

by shoot the puck on Aug 20, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

We’ve lost a lot of sandpaper in our lineup, and we don’t have a lot of it left. I worry about who’s going to clear the crease and provide some sort of a disincentive when they crash Pekka. We need to keep the bodies off of him because they’ll be coming. … I don’t get the SOB thing either, unless we’re so sure about the kids or there’s more to it than we know, like maybe an internal problem.!!

by el pucko on Aug 20, 2011 2:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

(and sorry about the exclamation pts … typo .. not screaming at anyone … get AK46)

by el pucko on Aug 20, 2011 3:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Suuuuurre…..

And I really hope its not an “internal problem” because a) that sounds kinda gross, and b) I thought that he grew up a bit this past year and had gotten beyond the stuff that caused his reputation.

"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Aug 20, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

If there was an internal problem

methinks we would have heard about it by now. Those type things always get leaked. Poile thinks Ellis and Josi are ready therefore making SOB expendable—which is fine as long as one of them can play like Shane. I’ll believe that when I see it.

A word on the penny-pinching. Lay it directly at the feet of ownership. Poile may have a lot of latitude but I do not believe he operates carte blanche. The ownership has given lip service to winning a Cup and that’s it. It seems they would rather stay on the porch with the pups than run with the big dogs.

by shoot the puck on Aug 20, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

But they said we were spending more money this season..........

I’m holding them to that statement. As of right now, even if you plug Ellis’ 1.4M deal into the lineup, we’re sitting a good 2M below last seasons total cap hit (including bonuses beings there’s no bonus cushion in 11/12). Still time to add someone, but I’m getting ready for the annual “we want to see what we have during pre-season before making any moves” followed by “teams always look to make moves early in the season (which is not true)” followed by “it’s tough to make moves at the deadline”. I really want to be wrong about this, so prove me wrong, Poile & ownership!

Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......

by Grizzledbear on Aug 20, 2011 6:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That Gretzky deal

is getting announced any moment… :)

by musamonster on Aug 20, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope, Gretzky Jr. signed with the Cubs. :p

Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......

by Grizzledbear on Aug 20, 2011 6:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

We’re tanking for Nail ;)

by DonBorvio on Aug 20, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

It might be worth it for that name alone. :D

Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......

by Grizzledbear on Aug 20, 2011 9:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i hope phoenix tanks

Doan would look great in a Preds jersey at the deadline

by sefskillz on Aug 21, 2011 4:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Miss you, SOB.

:-(

"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.

by Michaeltastic on Aug 20, 2011 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

Remember

SOB’s white flag in the penalty box? Don’t remember the opponent or the game situation, but I remember the towel as a white flag. So awesome. I’ll Miss Shane O’Brien, for sure.

Something Funny

by BradPerala on Aug 21, 2011 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

Reply to myself...

that was against Phoenix, and I was at the game with 3DLink. Just read the recap here on OTF, turns out that the loss may have gone differently if it not for “O’Brien’s Hartnell-esque stupidity really costing the Preds.” I guess time heals all wounds?

Something Funny

by BradPerala on Aug 21, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions