Our four-part analysis on the state of the Nashville Predators moves now to the environment within which the team operates, and the positive external factors that help them succeed in the NHL.
There is still time to contribute to our lists of the team's internal strengths and weaknesses, in case you're just jumping on board with this exercise. As you'll find after the jump, what we're aiming to assemble here is an all-around view of the Preds' situation, to get a better handle on where the team needs to head in the weeks and years ahead...
What is SWOT Analysis?
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Oppportunities, Threats) is a common tool used in the business world to assess an operating group and the environment within which it operates, in order to determine what steps are needed to help that organization achieve its goals. Just as one applies this tool to a factory or a sales force, it can be used with a hockey team as well.
Opportunities
We've previously looked at the internal strengths and weaknesses of the team, and as I mentioned, I highly recommend you head over to those discussions and contribute to the list. Over the weekend, I'll bring all four points together into a single picture that should serve as the jumping-off point for a dialogue on what the Predators should do in the near- and long-term future.
For today, then, I ask you to consider the Opportunities that the Predators can take advantage of to better pursue a Stanley Cup. I'll start you off with a pair of suggestions:
- Older AHL players with extensive professional experience may well prove to be a viable, affordable source of "role players" to complement the core personnel who command the majority of the payroll (i.e. Joel Ward).
- W. Brett Wilson - the Calgary entrepreneur has often been touted as a potential member of the ownership group once the "Boots" Del Biaggio bankruptcy ever gets cleared up. That could help shore up the finacial strength of the organization considerably.
So chime in, folks. What factors out there offer a chance to help the Nashville Predators succeed?