The Cup Finals begin tonight, I will get to that a little later in this column, but first, a few things that Pred Nation is focusing on. After signing blueliner Roman Josi to a new seven year deal, the main RFA has been addressed for the Preds. You could reasonable say that David Poile replaced Ryan Suter with a blueliner with more offensive upside for significantly less money. Quite frankly, a pretty quick recovery after last year’s shenanigans.
The next thing being focused on is the upcoming NHL Draft at the end of the month as Pred fans are trying to read the tea leaves to figure out which player falls to number four in the draft order that can help this team. I have been participating in a mock draft at
NashvillePredators.com with nine other Pred bloggers. Mark Willoughby from
The View From 111 had the honor of picking for the Preds. In this online media Mock Draft he chose Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin, passing over consensus Pred selection Aleksander Barkov. A gutsy choice that I’m not sure will happen, given the franchise’s experiences with the KHL.
I’ve been pretty high on Barkov, but I am a little worried about the recovery from his injured knee. Barkov has size, especially for a 17 year old… 6’2” 205 lbs. That is something the Preds need up front, but he really isn’t projected as a first line center, perhaps not as much of the impact player the Predators are looking for. If Jonathan Drouin is available at four… well… I’d snap him up in a heartbeat.
-------------------------------------------
The puck drops on the Stanley Cup Finals tonight with the first Original Six final in 34 years… and the first time these two teams have met in the final in the history of the league. There have been a couple of easy storylines … Chicago being portrayed as the Penguins in this round or Boston not having the firepower to keep up with Chicago’s depth… Both of them are bunk.
This is going to be a very tight series, where home ice advantage could very well determine things. It seems these playoffs have spun on home ice more than any I can remember recently. These teams are very evenly matched.
Forwards - Chicago is loaded up front, Hossa, Kane, Toews, Sharp, Bickell… err… Bickell? Yup, eight goals for Bryan Bickell so far. The Blackhawks roll four lines and are lethal on all of them. Boston may not have the hype, but don’t dismiss this group of forwards. Krejci, Lucic, Horton, Bergeron, Jagr… no slouches here… and agitator Brad Marchand has been a difference maker for the Bruins. If he can get into Chicago’s collective head like he did in the Pens series, it will not bode well for the Hawks.
Slight Advantage - Chicago
Defense - The enigmatic Chicago blueline has performed well at times during these playoffs, when they are activated into the Blackhawks offense they do pack a punch, however, Boston has an excellent defense unit, three d-pairs that get the job done with a minimum of fanfare. Chicago has the names again, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Oduya… Boston has the big guy in Zdeno Chara and a cohesive unit that has been the best defense in the playoffs
Advantage - Boston
Goaltending - This one is close, Corey Crawford has been very good for the Hawks… Tuukka Rask has the look of a goaltender dominating the playoffs… the stats are close, each has undergone some adversity… this is a close one to call.
Slight Advantage – Boston
Special Teams - The penalty kills for both teams are excellent, they have proven that repeatedly throughout their runs… Chicago has the better power play
Advantage - Chicago
Coaching - Two excellent coaches, each a cup winner. This one is dead even.
So… who wins this thing? Boston takes one of the first two at the United Center and wins their second cup of the century, in six games.
-------------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Pekka Rinne is quoted in today’s Tennessean as saying that his rehab from hip surgery is “going really well.”
- Stanley Cup playoff ratings have doubled this season during the conference finals, the highest ratings for these games in 17 years. With two major US markets both original six teams… the SCF ratings could set new records.
- An interesting twist in Pittsburgh as an announcement was made regarding the head coach, Dan Bylsma. No, he wasn’t fired… his contract was extended for two years. Gutsy move…
- Speaking of extensions… there are reports out of NoCal that San Jose has extended coach Todd McLellan’s contract.
- Reports out of St. Louis indicate that Jamie Langenbrunner has played his last game for the Blues.
--------------------------------------
You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
-------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, our latest podcast is posted… we will be back with our fifth season finale in two weeks on June 26.
SlapShot Radio is brought to you by
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (615-872-7762), your
Metro Public Health Department and SysTech International and Burger Republic, check their excellent menu out at
their website, Defend Quality… Burger Republic.
Our podcasts are posted… Click
here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.a>.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»