As August spins down, the eclipse fades into memory and the kids get back to school, hockey season is not far away. I’ve given myself a few weeks to let the events of the summer settle in and take a good hard look at this Nashville Predators team and try and answer the question that has been burning up social media and causing fascinating discussion on message boards…
Is this Nashville Predators team better now than they were last season?
It is a more complicated question than it looks as Nashville went through a real period of transition last season. A long time captain traded, veteran leadership in the locker room either wasn’t re-signed or retired, younger players bumped up to the big team and injuries that deeply impacted the new chemistry formation of a new leadership group. You can make the argument that before the All-Star Break, this team didn’t have more than 5 or 6 periods together due to injury. After the All-Star Break, this team gelled and played the way it was expected to for the entire season. It is a reasonable assumption that this team found itself in the second half of the season and leveraged that in the playoffs, even fighting through some devastating injuries to get to the final.
For the first time in Peter Laviolette’s tenure as head coach, he has the complete team of speed, youth and a little grit that should play his go-go system to its maximum effectiveness. With four all-star quality defenseman locked in together for the next couple of seasons, their top line locked in together for five seasons, a clear replacement for a still highly effective Pekka Rinne developing and a stable of talent that will push the players that make the team in October… this is a team poised to be a top contender for years to come.
The championship window is wide open… but there are questions…
The biggest question I keep hearing is about Pekka Rinne… why, I am having a hard time understanding… if not for Rinne, this team doesn’t make the playoffs and doesn’t make the Final. Period.
But I wondered, do I have gold-tinted glasses on when reviewing Rinne’s play over the last few seasons? So I decided to ask a few former Predator players (JP Dumont and Dan Keczmer) to review Rinne’s play, do they see the things that many pundits and fans are criticizing…
Both were rather emphatic in their assessment that Rinne is still an elite level goaltender… that his play, especially in the playoffs was simply excellent and went through some of the breakdowns that led to goals, and some of the simply outstanding plays that beat the big Finn. After this discussion, I am more convinced than ever that this team is well positioned to win the division and make another deep run in the playoffs.
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Pred Nation is positively drooling after the incredible debut of Eeli Tolvanen yesterday in the KHL. The 18 year old Finn notched a hat trick and an assist for Jokerit in their 6-1 win Dynamo Minsk. Here’s a look at the hattie…
One game does not make a career, but wow… what a start…
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The Preds announced their new broadcast team yesterday with changes in the booth, on the sideline and on pregame.
Former Predator goaltender Chris Mason joins Willy Daunic for television broadcast. Mason has been a fill in on radio and TV over the last couple of seasons and has certainly earned the role with pithy commentary and a deep knowledge of the game. Lyndsay Rowley moves into the co-host chair for Predators LIVE! Pre and post game shows, sharing the duties with Terry Crisp. Former WKRN sports reporter Kara Hammer joins the team as sideline reporter for home games. Kara is deeply passionate about the game and brings a deep knowledge to the role.
On the radio side… Former Predator defenseman Hal Gill joins the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber on the Predators Radio Network broadcast team. Gill filled in for a game last season and brings a wealth of knowledge and (if you follow his Twitter account) a little bit of snark to the team. Darren McFarland will host the pre and post game shows along with former Predators associate coach Brent Peterson.
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Midweek Random Offseason Notes
- I will be hosting a Q&A with the new Predators broadcast team tonight at Bridgestone Arena as part of the Open House. The session will take place before the anthem auditions in the Nissan Atrium.
- The Predators announced the transition to fully mobile ticketing this week. No more paper tickets…
- Today’s Open House also will give fans a chance to check out the renovations being done to Bridgestone Arena including a new locker room and new concessions on the 300 level.
- Today is the 45th anniversary of the one of the greatest HHOF classes in history as the Hockey Hall of Fame enshrined Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion and Gordie Howe.
20 days until training camp opens
25 days until the first preseason game
41 days until the season opener
46 days until the home opener.
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