Tuesday's notes: Heady Days In Smashville

I like him a little more now.

At first I thought the Preds should get whatever return they can for Suter. At this point, the way the team is playing, I’ve changed my mind. I think the Preds should go for it and see what kind of player is available for a “Forsberg” kind of trade. However, with how they’ve meshed, I’m not sure I would mortgage the farm for this year.

Therefore:
1. See what is out there, what “Name” players they can get for a fair price
2. If no one is available for said price, stand pat.
3. If someone comes up and gives you an offer you can’t refuse for Suter, take it.

The way this team has played has clarified nothing, only made things more muddled.

All of the above are hard choices.

I really like the chemistry on this team. Most of these gents have come up together one way or another. that is hard to find on most teams.

I think Nashville is playing their best hockey in a long time and have a DAMN! good chance of going deep into the playoffs. I live Suter’s leadership way to much to get him traded but if Polie knows hes going to trade, then get it over with during this ASG break. the team needs to know for their sanity as well as ours.

Long story short, i like our chances, lets grab an elite goal scorer if possible and lets bring home what we know belongs to us this year.

Adding a big name player at the deadline hardly ever works. Forsberg didn’t work for us. The Bruins won the cup, but Kaberle definitely wasn’t a factor. Maybe the last time a big move worked out was when the Avs acquired Blake in ’01. The kind of deals that usually work are for grinders or roleplayers that add depth and experience, which is pretty much what the Preds are made up of.

The Preds need to sit down with Suter and his agent and see where things really stand (they may already have). Does he really want to stay? Is it the money? Is it wanting to be on a contender? This team is already pretty darn competitive in the toughest division in the league. The offense is finally starting to fire up. Could they go all the way? In this era of parity, who knows. They don’t have the big guns up front, but in the last dozen games they’ve looked just as impressive as the Canucks, Hawks, and Flyers when they went on their tears.

this team is awesome right now, however, they are prone to inconsistent play and erratic scoring.

the loss to the rangers = 0 goals…. rangers the sort of team all playoff teams will be playing like.

our needs are a rugged “D-man” and additional scoring.

I dont think Polie could pass up the opportunity to add an elite scorer because this team COULD suffer the worst kind of melt down after this season if Suter leaves and Weber follows suit. this COULD be the only year to make it happen before a rebuild starts.

we are gonna have to make improvements, like everyone knows- you can never have enough scoring in the playoffs and even a better scoring team like chicago will even be looking to add scoring depth. Poile has to.

Has anyone looked at our Feb schedule??! I was thinking we stand pat but the more I think about it (now knowing Feb upcoming) we NEED to trade and get that elusive scorer. I dont want us breaking up a good thing like most. So we give up some prospects ( ie Blum, Lindback and picks for someone) Possibly also a Spaling, Halischuk type guy.

I like them all too but face it, we have a tone of these type guys. And some are UFA next year so we cant sign them all. Again, we WILL NEED that scorer sooner than later to be consistent enough to be among the big guns in the West. Our young guys will hit a wall like Smith has already, hate to say it. The time is now.

Suter has to like what he sees, and if he doesnt then see ya later. What else does he want. The money is there you have to believe…I really am tired of almost begging this guy to stay. (somewhat hard to blame him to semi test the market, maybe his only shot in his career) But hes on a really solid team thats on the up and up.

No way you can trade Suter right now because he wont commit either way so why would anyone want him unless they can immediately sign him? That said the Preds are in pretty good shape but we still could add some offense! They did get shut out by the Rangers last week right? Since we’re not a team of snipers at any given time these guys can start throwing goose eggs on the board. Wycheck on the Zone has really been taking Suter to task in the media, nobody else has. He said in football the players wouldn’t tolerate a diva type attitude basically saying get us more help because these guys I play with aren’t good enough! You wonder if any of the Preds feel the same way right now, kind of a putz like attitude on Suter’s part. He’s not the GM right? Poile is desperately trying to cut a deal so he won’t wine anymore.

which I doubt Poile with do and I’m sure he has a good reasons to just ride it out. But what about seeing if the Islanders would part with Tavares. Fat chance, but he’ll continue to go no where on that team.

Just to let you guys know the reason suter is not signed yet is due to him and his agent wanting a thirteen year deal. Also, Weber is looking to retire a Pred. On more thing that people dont really know about is Radulov’s Family has been in town the last month talking extensively to Polie and the rest of management. Im pretty sure he will be coming back before the trade deadline to carry out his last year on his contract.

Yeah, I know there wasn’t an option D, but I’m adding it anyway. :)

Adding a rental is fine for this season, but it will do little to effect the Suter situation. Adding a player under contract past this season who is a difference maker is the best option to not only give us our best chance to win this season, but also to make our best commitment to Suter (and Weber) that we’re serious about the things past this season.

You have your marching orders, GMDP…….get marching! :)