The last part of the 2017/18 post mortem, taking a look at coaching and leadership. The on ice leadership group of captain Roman Josi, associate captain Ryan Ellis, alternates Mattias Ekholm, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. We will also look at the coaching of Peter Laviolette and his staff.
Health - The only health issues with the on-ice leadership group was with Ryan Ellis who spent the first half of the season on IR recovering from an injury sustained in the 2017 playoffs and Ryan Johansen who was recovering from his playoff injury as well.
Strengths - The depth of experience of the bench coaching staff. Head coach Peter Laviolette and associate coach Kevin McCarthy have depth of experience and cup rings that really projects a “been there, done that” attitude to the team. It is a real positive to have that on the team. Goaltending Coach Ben Vanderklok has grown into his role, his development of Juuse Saros and the fine tuning he did with Pekka Rinne have been outstanding.
Opportunities - Experience for the on ice group… last season was their first season as a leadership group and sometimes that lack of seasoning showed. It is one of those things you need to go through and the group will be better for it. This upcoming season will be the first in three seasons to have the same captain carry over from season to season. New assistant coach Dan Muse has completed his first year as a coach in the NHL and now has a base of experience to build on.
Intangibles - One of the past criticisms of Peter Laviolette is that his message can get old quick. That has not been evident in Nashville. He still seems to have a great handle on the room, adjusting and adapting his message for the players as needed. Roman Josi will take another step forward in his leadership of this team heading into his second year with the C with no specter of former captains looming over him. If Ryan Ellis gets extended over the summer, a potential distraction will be eliminated.
Grades - The on ice leadership team gets a solid C for their first year together with the development opportunity to not try to do too much, especially in the playoffs. The coaching staff gets a B… mostly for not achieving the lofty expectations set by the team and for not figuring out a way for the team to start out strong in more games.
That almost close the book on the 2017/18 season, I will have my annual “Holding Myself Accountable” blog next week, but next up is my review of the 2018/19 schedule.
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Random Notes
- Well… it looks like scoring a hattie in the prospect game can get you a contract. After an excellent development camp capped off by an outstanding performance in the Future Stars game, Zach Magwood signed a three year entry level deal with the Preds.
- Yesterday was the deadline for players to declare their intention to seek salary arbitration. RFA Miikka Salomaki is the only Predator going this route.
- Juuse Saros and Ryan Hartman are the only remaining RFA’s left to sign besides Salomaki.
- With $12 million left against the cap, the team is in good shape to get the RFA’s taken care of and Ryan Ellis extended with room to spare.
- Other notables to file for arbitration were William Karlsson of Vegas, Jets goalie Connor Hellybuyck and Smashville’s favorite Jimmy Vesey…
- Interesting names still out there on the UFA front… Dan Hamhuis, Kari Lehtonen, Michale Cammalleri, Joel Ward, Scottie Upshall and Dennis Seidenberg just to name a few.
- Lane Lambert has left the Capitals to join Barry Trotz’s staff in New York. He will be the Associate Head Coach for the Isles. Mitch Korn is also being courted…
- The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Anthony Duclair to a one year, league minimum contract… low risk for a potentially high reward. Good signing.
- Latest rumors on the Erik Karlsson front has him potentially being traded to the Lightning. Yikes, that would add to an already excellent blueline in Tampa. Look for a three-way deal similar to the one that brought Kyle Turris to Nashville.
- Another bad break for former Pred Shea Weber. Offseason knee surgery will keep the Habs stud defenseman out until mid-December.
- When is the last time the team that had the big free agent singing went on to win the cup that next season?
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