My friends, I find myself in a tough situation today. I have to do what no other media person in this market is willing to do. Those who are on the TV, radio, or are paid to give their opinion in the paper seem to pass the Preds off as an after thought. The Titans dominate (and rightfully so this season with their record and standing in the league) but even if the Titans were sub-.500 they would dominate. Because of this, all too often the local media does not put critical thought and analysis into the Nashville Predators and their situation, unless the threat of moving out of town is present.
The true fans of this team are vocal, passionate, and opinionated. The media that supplies the information is nonchalant, dismissive, and often invisible. Don’t get me wrong. The people who cover the team regularly, the beat reporters, they do a solid job. The thing is, they are asked to report the news of the team, not give their opinion. The columnists that are in town generally don’t get an in-season piece up until football season has closed or the playoffs are near. So, despite this inconsistent start and the pitiful road woes, you won’t see them put their opinions to paper just yet. I personally think it is a disservice to the fan base that no one in the local media will step up and ask hard questions.
While my voice may be quite small in this market, I do feel that it is my responsibility to now be the one to step up to the plate and ask those tough questions that no one else will.
As hard as it is, sometimes we have to push past personal feelings and ask honest questions. The game of hockey is personal to many, but off the ice it is a business as well. Please don’t misinterpret this column as an attack on anyone. I have an internal battle going on just writing this piece. Let’s not tarry any longer and get to point.
Is it time for this team to have a new voice? Is it time for David Poile to evaluate where this coaching staff is taking this team?
I personally have a lot of respect for Barry Trotz. He has been and continues to be a great ambassador for this game in the city of Nashville. He has shown that he has the skills to lead this team to the playoffs. He is a pleasant guy to work with and a very good coach. At the same time, every coach has an expiration date with a franchise. I am not saying that this absolutely is the time for Trotz, but I am saying that David Poile and the ownership group need to at least evaluate where this team is, and if they may or may not improve with a change.
When I see a captain question the coach in the media, I can’t help but wonder if something is wrong. When a coach is said to have run a tough practice, one that “peeled paint” and the team responds by giving up 4 goals in the 1st period, I can’t help but wonder if that coaches voice has been lost on the team.
With any team, no matter how good the coach is, eventually the message gets repetitive and tuned out. I don’t know if this is or is not the case in Nashville, but I do think that is one of the tough questions that Mr. Poile must answer for himself.
Let’s face facts, this team is struggling. 1 road win (a shootout victory in Chicago) out of 8 road games. Giving up more than 3 goals per game on average. A bottom 10 team on the powerplay. A bottom 5 team in terms of goals against per game. A bottom 5 team in total goals against.
Things are not all negative however. The team does have a solid home record. They are in the top 5 in terms of limiting shots against per game. They are 4th in the league in faceoff winning percentage.
The problem is that this teams record and inconsistency outweighs the positives. We have a defenseman that is among league leaders and a defensive core that others in the league gush about. As good as those things are it currently is not resulting in wins. Why does this team give up goals at an alarming rate? Why does this team appear to lack the chemistry it had last year?
Another question I propose is what exactly is making this team not function properly? The puzzle pieces are not coming together. Is it coaching, is it the players, is it bad luck? It is not up to me to answer that question but I’m simply trying to start an effort to get upper management and the ownership group to consider what is making this team dysfunctional and fix it. At some point you have to get past personal relationships and think about the business. It’s not an easy thing to do. I can’t imagine how tough a job that can be.
In order to succeed progression must be made. The pressure from the media in this city to improve on a yearly basis is non-existent. If this team was in Chicago, Philly, or Canada, would things still remain the way they are, or would changes have already been made? Just because the franchise location is Music City, USA does not mean that the same expectations on those teams should not be put on this one. I’m well aware of the budget constraints and other issues that go into this market, but at the same time I think most would agree that a winning product brings people. Big name players bring people. One of the tough questions has to be what can be done to push this franchise beyond a 1st round playoff exit?
Another tough question to be answered is whether or not the players being paid to produce are doing their jobs? If they are not living up to the billing something should be done. That falls to coaching, management, and then ownership. All levels need to ask the questions, and find answers.
The point I hope I have made is that it is time for the owners, Poile, Trotz, and the players to start asking the tough questions and get some answers. I certainly have my opinion, but quite frankly my opinion is not the one that counts. I can propose the questions, but if the people who make the real decisions don’t even consider other options and find answers to the questions, then this team will become a rudderless ship. It will continue to drift along, maybe making playoffs or maybe not, maybe getting past the 1st round or maybe not. It may or may not reach the attendance numbers it needs. It may or may not continue to struggle with the same things night in and night out. It may or may not continue to have serious troubles on the road. It may or may not be a long season with frustration. The local media may or may not just continue to let things slide. I may or may not get some backlash from this writing. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone else in a similar or more likely greater position than I will put the pressure on to get the answers. I do hope they prove me wrong though.
At the end of the day I just hope that my small voice may be heard somewhere. I just want people to begin to ask and answer the tough questions. Think about it. Truly weigh the options. I will not advocate one side or the other, but rather I just want a healthy discussion, not only among the fans, but more importantly among the people who control the direction of the franchise.
Is it time to make changes?
I don’t claim to have the right answers, but I do claim that it is high time to ask the tough questions.
Don’t forget to tune into the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show, Monday nights from 6 to 7 pm on WNSR 560 A.M. with Paul McCann and myself discussing all things Preds! Listen in at the WNSR Website for the best new Preds radio show around! The podcasting for the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show can be found at the following: Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio Podcast. Enjoy!
Questions, comments, and criticisms can be sent to [email protected] if you wish to contact me personally.
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