I like the trade, especially considering Marty was struggling this year and probably needed a change of scenery (as evidenced by him approaching Poile to be traded). Seriously, people complaint about Poile, what was he supposed to do after Erat informed him THAT HE WANTED TO BE TRADED? At that point you have to shop for the best return you can get. The alternative is to not trade him and tolerate him playing out his contract while being pissed that he wasn't traded (while you're still paying him $4.5 million, $3.5 next year, etc.) How much effort would he contribute if Poile had not traded him?

The return is good, if not great. People are saying Forsberg will be in training camp next year, with a shot to make the big club. Worse comes to worse, he plays in Milwaukee for the first part of next season and maybe gets called up at some point. 19 year old elite scoring prospect with a ton of upside, sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered for this team. Let the season play out and if the team miraculously makes the playoffs, great. If not, it sucks but it's not the end of the world.

The team now has more salary available to be active in the free agent market this summer, and I'm optimistic that they will. There is also a good crop of younger players now who I think will be good for the future: Colin Wilson, Taylor Beck, Austin Watson, Chris Mueller, and eventually Forsberg. I think Craig Smith will get one more year to prove that he belongs, and I hope he does because he is skilled.

All in all, I like this move, but will reserve ultimate judgment to see what the team does this offseason.

Right; he's just been nominated for GM of the year how many times in the last few years?

It seems that most people in the league (who probably know a lot more about it than you or I) would disagree with you.
- preds24

Proof is in the pudding guys. Getting the nod because know one else did an outstanding job in any given season and you kept your team treading water during tough times isn't the same as Scotty Bowman winning best GM. Your expectations are low and thus you'll get what you expect.

David Boclair of the city paper all but said this morning on 104.5 that the team is bailing on the GM. Suter left, Weber tried to leave, now Erat says he's done. Also said the vibe around the league is that Nashville is a nice place to live and play if you haven't got other options because you'll get playing time, win some, maybe make the playoffs, and show yourself to other teams to then move on to a cup contender.

Why do you think no big free agent ever signs here? The only way we get quality players is through draft or trade. We don't develop offensive talent so Forsberg is probably not hapy with being traded here.

Stop drinking the coolaid. Poile is an ok GM but absolutely not what we need anymore. He's put this team in a very dangerous situation by blundering things like Suter and getting no return on investment. Guys, these are things that other franchises fire GMs over and they then cycle two years to try another run. Not keep the guy and give him another 5-7 years to try again.

Name me ANY pro sports franchise that has kept a GM for 15 years without even a division championship to show for it????

You don't hear Poile for GM of the year anymore because everyone knows he's botched it on the last rebuild. We don't have talent to trade because he didn't build the team well enough so we now HAVE TO go to the young guys. Which I'm fine with, BUT that plan never works without FA signings to bring you the solid players to bring young ones along and make the team competitive.

If Poile doesn't make moves to make this team much better over the off season AND they don't play well by mid season I say let him go.

15 years is long enough to try to build a team. 22-23, if you listen to Erats analysis, is crazy. Don't they say that insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different outcome? = Poile.

Shero, Holland, Lombardi or Armstrong......

IMHO Poile/Trotz have been nominated because its been amazing at the results for such a small market, cheap team - hence the nomination. Under those parameters, yes they are amazing. However if you put all the teams on par, there is now way they are of the same caliber - hence never winning.
- buelleo

Give them the budget of a bigger market and then make that comparison. It works both ways. Ownership has claimed that money is no longer the issue (although it's definitely always going to be a consideration in this market), so let's see if they follow up on Weber and Rinne's contracts this summer with another signing or two. Let's also not forget that Poile offered Suter a ton of money, Suter just led him along (which I partially blame on Poile for not trading Suter at the deadline last year).

Bergfors bailed, Suter bailed, Weber tried, now Erat.

That's a giant vote of no confidence.

Bergfors bailed, Suter bailed, Weber tried, now Erat.

That's a giant vote of no confidence.
- Stignikov

Bergfors? Really?

If Weber wanted to bail he would have signed for 1 year then became a UFA. Not the same thing.

Proof is in the pudding guys. Getting the nod because know one else did an outstanding job in any given season and you kept your team treading water during tough times isn't the same as Scotty Bowman winning best GM. Your expectations are low and thus you'll get what you expect.

David Boclair of the city paper all but said this morning on 104.5 that the team is bailing on the GM. Suter left, Weber tried to leave, now Erat says he's done. Also said the vibe around the league is that Nashville is a nice place to live and play if you haven't got other options because you'll get playing time, win some, maybe make the playoffs, and show yourself to other teams to then move on to a cup contender.

Why do you think no big free agent ever signs here? The only way we get quality players is through draft or trade. We don't develop offensive talent so Forsberg is probably not hapy with being traded here.

Stop drinking the coolaid. Poile is an ok GM but absolutely not what we need anymore. He's put this team in a very dangerous situation by blundering things like Suter and getting no return on investment. Guys, these are things that other franchises fire GMs over and they then cycle two years to try another run. Not keep the guy and give him another 5-7 years to try again.

Name me ANY pro sports franchise that has kept a GM for 15 years without even a division championship to show for it????

You don't hear Poile for GM of the year anymore because everyone knows he's botched it on the last rebuild. We don't have talent to trade because he didn't build the team well enough so we now HAVE TO go to the young guys. Which I'm fine with, BUT that plan never works without FA signings to bring you the solid players to bring young ones along and make the team competitive.

If Poile doesn't make moves to make this team much better over the off season AND they don't play well by mid season I say let him go.

15 years is long enough to try to build a team. 22-23, if you listen to Erats analysis, is crazy. Don't they say that insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different outcome? = Poile.
- Stignikov

"David Boclair of the city paper all but said this morning on 104.5 that the team is bailing on the GM. Suter left, Weber tried to leave, now Erat says he's done."

If Weber wanted to bail he would have signed for 1 year then became a UFA. Not the same thing.

Bergfors bailed, Suter bailed, Weber tried, now Erat.

That's a giant vote of no confidence.
- Stignikov

I'm not sure what you said after 'Bergfors bailed' as the tears from my laughter got in the way. First, Bergfors is terrible. Second, Bergfors is terrible. Third Bergfors didn't "bail", he was waived because he sucked.

... One Example: Montreal, think they have won all those cups by accepting excuses and being ok with just being ok. Nope, they demand performance especially in the front office. If a player, coach, or GM isn't getting the job done they are gone and someone with a clear understanding of what is expected is brought in.

It's not that making the playoffs isn't good, it's just not good enough anymore.
- Stignikov

Might want to include a few other slightly relevant reasons for Montreal's success back in the day.

One huge factor out of many behind Montreal and Toronto winning all those Cups was because the playing fields were ridiculously tilted in those days. (Why do you think 2-min PP's are limited to one goal before ending the PP?) You owned what you could buy.

Then there there is the minor fact that there were far fewer teams in the earlier days. Not as difficult to make it when there are six (6) teams in the league with four (4) going to the playoffs.

Even after expansion began to 12 then 16, etc. it was still was much easier than today. Also during expansion, the quality of the teams (ie: the playing field) was still often in favor of the original and established teams of the league. During expansion they ferociously defended their right to reign supreme.

To ignore relevancy such as that and then try to compare it to current situations in the NHL is silly and ludicrous.

Oh yeah, last time the mighty Canadiens won a Cup was 20 years ago. It's been 46 years for the Maple Leafs.

Easier to win when you hold massive advantages. Accepting mediocrity has nothing to do with attitudes and opinions.

Bergfors bailed, Suter bailed, Weber tried, now Erat.

That's a giant vote of no confidence.
- Stignikov

OK I was able to read the rest. I'm a glass half-empty kind of guy and the gnashing of teeth from Predator 'fans since the Erat thing went down is both hilarious and sad. You claim these guys have no faith in the team with no real evidence.
All we know is this: Suter wanted to finish his career playing close to home, and he got a literal ton of money to do it. Weber knew the CBA was toast and it was his last chance to get paid the huge long-term deal. Philly offered him the huge insane long-term deal. He absolutely knew that the Preds could match and that he would pend the rest of his career here. He he truly wanted out he would have took the 1-year option and became UFA. He would have gotten a max-contract from Philly or any other big-market team. And I'm of the opinion that he may ask to be traded after the season. But as it stands now he signed the offer sheet knowing he could stay here...that's not a player deseperate to get out.
Erat is not getting any younger and in talking with Poile he decided that with the team getting younger his chance to win a Cup here was not great over the next couple of seasons. He didn't want to be part of this mini-rebuild so he asked Poile to trade him to a team that could. Poile took that and got the Preds an amazing return.
As a fan do we like these situations? No. But to infer that this team has given up on the vision here by Poile is pure speculation.
But I am very curious and interested about this offseason - what Weber chooses to do and what moves Poile makes to make this team better going into a full lower-cap season.

Poile is NOT a top GM. Stop drinking the coolaid
- Stignikov

Good grief, that's a weak attempt at a put-down.

Poile will get replaced someday as will Trotz and others. That's the way it is and I'll move on when it happens. It might be a good thing; it might not. But who is to say when the time is right? Certainly not you or me. After GM/coach firings, unless there is a magnificent foundation of players on the club (through sucking for many years and/or great luck), it's usually worse long before it ever gets better. But of course no one knows do they?

All of this speculation and gnashing of teeth is about opinions and we know what that means. Unfortunately the bottom line for many fans is to fire the coach/GM/whatever if the team doesn't win it all. I understand where that comes from (the desire for excellence and to win - I'm with you on those desires) but I also take into account the complexity of achieving that goal.

If all NHL fans thought like you there would be 29 teams every year with rabidly disappointed fans clamoring for the heads of whomever and whatever their personal, back-seat-driving and inexperienced passions dictated. Enough of that and support would die, with the 29 "losers" in perpetual danger of shutting the doors.

I'm not sure what you said after 'Bergfors bailed' as the tears from my laughter got in the way. First, Bergfors is terrible. Second, Bergfors is terrible. Third Bergfors didn't "bail", he was waived because he sucked.


- Predville

Nice retort.

And also true.

There are no arguments that can save Poile at this point only results.

So you're saying Poile is ok because he signed Bergfors who you feel was terrible. Good argument you guys.

So you're saying Poile is ok because he signed Bergfors who you feel was terrible. Good argument you guys.
- Stignikov

I read the others' Bergfors comments and none of them inferred that. You made up that conclusion out of thin air and are trying to diminish their opinions with your false words. Spectacularly unsuccessfully, I might add.

Your opinion is yours and that's fine and dandy - we all have them. On the other hand, your arguments in support are somewhat nutty.

So you're saying Poile is ok because he signed Bergfors who you feel was terrible. Good argument you guys.
- Stignikov

Your argument was that Bergfors bailed...NOT that Poile signed him.

Good grief, that's a weak attempt at a put-down.

Poile will get replaced someday as will Trotz and others. That's the way it is and I'll move on when it happens. It might be a good thing; it might not. But who is to say when the time is right? Certainly not you or me. After GM/coach firings, unless there is a magnificent foundation of players on the club (through sucking for many years and/or great luck), it's usually worse long before it ever gets better. But of course no one knows do they?

All of this speculation and gnashing of teeth is about opinions and we know what that means. Unfortunately the bottom line for many fans is to fire the coach/GM/whatever if the team doesn't win it all. I understand where that comes from (the desire for excellence and to win - I'm with you on those desires) but I also take into account the complexity of achieving that goal.

If all NHL fans thought like you there would be 29 teams every year with rabidly disappointed fans clamoring for the heads of whomever and whatever their personal, back-seat-driving and inexperienced passions dictated. Enough of that and support would die, with the 29 "losers" in perpetual danger of shutting the doors.
- blueline

It has been fifteen years more than enough time to build a very solid team..evn with the Leopold fire sale. Look that moron has built a Stanley cup contender in less
Than 7 yrs! Basically 500 hockey gets you to the playoffs, until this shortened season.

If you are once again rebuilding why not start from the top..I really don't understand
Why so many of you are AFRAID of change at the top?

It has been fifteen years more than enough time to build a very solid team..evn with the Leopold fire sale. Look that moron has built a Stanley cup contender in less
Than 7 yrs! Basically 500 hockey gets you to the playoffs, until this shortened season.

If you are once again rebuilding why not start from the top..I really don't understand
Why so many of you are AFRAID of change at the top?
- longtimepredfan

Afraid? Who hinted at that? We're talking opinions from a diverse group stating what each thinks is best for team. Hockey is also a game, for cying out loud - enjoyment and all of that. Comprehend? Fear does not figure in the mix at all. Nada.

However, I will say that I am concerned that some here can't or won't read what's actually being said. Or is it just that you must put your own twist on what some of us write in an attempt to change what we're actually trying to say?

While I'm ranting - ditch the silly references to cool-aid, being afraid and the the completely misused, out of place and bastardized "insanity" quote which has been passé for about 50 years.

We are stating individual opinions here.

Opinions.

Verstehen?

I am tickled by the expectations of some of our fans. But to judge this franchise based on how many Cups we have is beyond ridiculous.

The Predtors will ALWAYS be considered a small market team. The team will have to build mainly on home-grown players and off casts from other teams. The Preds will build slowly until they have a good enough core to "go for it" for a few years. And then the rebuild will restart. They had a somewhat decent chance a few years ago during the Kariya years...and they went for it. Obviously it did not work...but little can be said about the attempt to make a run.

Anyone expecting a Cup at this point needs to look around this league and understand one thing...that Cup is probably the hardest thing to get in sports. The Canucks have gone 40 years without one...the Kings never won it with the best player ever...and teams that spend to the cap consistently flame out before the playoffs even start.

Like it or not, making the playoffs consistently like the Preds do is a RARITY. Fans of other teams would kill to be in the playoffs as often as we are. Why? Because they know that all it takes is getting in and anything can happen.

Afraid? Who hinted at that? We're talking opinions from a diverse group stating what each thinks is best for team. Hockey is also a game, for cying out loud - enjoyment and all of that. Comprehend? Fear does not figure in the mix at all. Nada.

However, I will say that I am concerned that some here can't or won't read what's actually being said. Or is it just that you must put your own twist on what some of us write in an attempt to change what we're actually trying to say?
- blueline

Oh EXCUSE Me...only stating the feelings that I get from the diverse opinions I do
Read and understand...WOW