Paul McCann: Game Night in Smashville

What has happened to "Sugar" Shea Weber???

1 point is not what I would have expected after signing such a massive contract in the off-season.

He has been such a powerful force on the blueline for years...I'm just wondering if not having Ryan Suter beside him really makes that much difference...or is he simply in a rut?

I haven't had a chance to watch a Pred game yet...I'm just wondering if someone who watches the Preds full time would care to share their opinion.

Mike Ribeiro or Joel Ward please! Maybe Leggy would stop pouting if his homeboy came back.

Hordichuk on waivers. Whose better Hordy or Huggy bear?

What has happened to "Sugar" Shea Weber???

1 point is not what I would have expected after signing such a massive contract in the off-season.

He has been such a powerful force on the blueline for years...I'm just wondering if not having Ryan Suter beside him really makes that much difference...or is he simply in a rut?

I haven't had a chance to watch a Pred game yet...I'm just wondering if someone who watches the Preds full time would care to share their opinion.
- PrairieFire

Webs is certainly doing his job defensively but, as with virtually everyone else on the team, is struggling to find anything on offense. Not having Suter next to him can't be ignored, but I'd say not having Hornqvist in front of the net screening and picking up rebounds is affecting his offensive numbers more. Josi and Hannan have both been respectable in my opinion when paired with Weber so I don't think they are dragging him down.

The whole team just needs to work out the funk.

It just seems the whole team lacks any kind of offensive identity. Hornqvist is out. So the blast from the point & scrap down low game is not really there right now. The Preds either aren't big enough or strong enough to win the battles along the board that are necessary for an effective dump & chase offense.

They don't pass accurately enough or have the raw speed for a high-skill/transition game. They did have a little success for a couple games carrying the puck into the zone (up the middle) and getting some pressure from the slots. But most of their offensive threat comes from the energy lines - but that requires someone to follow up and finish (which they struggle to do consistently...how many open nets have they missed this year?).

The Preds are clearly a Defense first team. Nothing wrong with that. But they have to find some kind of leadership & identity on offense...or it's going to be a long year (or a really short year, depending on how you look at it.).

What has happened to "Sugar" Shea Weber???

1 point is not what I would have expected after signing such a massive contract in the off-season.

He has been such a powerful force on the blueline for years...I'm just wondering if not having Ryan Suter beside him really makes that much difference...or is he simply in a rut?

I haven't had a chance to watch a Pred game yet...I'm just wondering if someone who watches the Preds full time would care to share their opinion.
- PrairieFire

While our captain's D continues to be solid as usual it is no secret that the offensive side has cooled. Shea has not handled the puck as well on the pp (which has not been his strong suit anyway) and not found the net on his shot consistently. In my opinion I just think he is squeezing the stick a little too hard right now. Still one of the best D-men in the league.

Gaustad is ill suited for taking Hornqvists minutes. I think Hornqvist being out really upsets the apple cart more than the stats show. Gotta plug Halischuck back in and sit Clune.

Gaustad is ill suited for taking Hornqvists minutes. I think Hornqvist being out really upsets the apple cart more than the stats show. Gotta plug Halischuck back in and sit Clune.
- coaster28

I agree with you...but they won't sit Clune...and we'll both sit around and wonder why they won't do it.

It just seems the whole team lacks any kind of offensive identity. Hornqvist is out. So the blast from the point & scrap down low game is not really there right now. The Preds either aren't big enough or strong enough to win the battles along the board that are necessary for an effective dump & chase offense.

They don't pass accurately enough or have the raw speed for a high-skill/transition game. They did have a little success for a couple games carrying the puck into the zone (up the middle) and getting some pressure from the slots. But most of their offensive threat comes from the energy lines - but that requires someone to follow up and finish (which they struggle to do consistently...how many open nets have they missed this year?).

The Preds are clearly a Defense first team. Nothing wrong with that. But they have to find some kind of leadership & identity on offense...or it's going to be a long year (or a really short year, depending on how you look at it.).
- holycow_75

This is all really well said. I agree.

Changes for tonight's game Paul.
The Goo-Goo Goal is now going to be the Goo-Goo shot on goal. (courtesy of the STH that sits behind me. Sec 326 represent! )
Lets go pred-a-tors chant is now Take a shot-on-goal
Lets go preds chant is now Shoot. The. Puck.

Seriously. Shoot the mother-grabbing puck!

While our captain's D continues to be solid as usual it is no secret that the offensive side has cooled. Shea has not handled the puck as well on the pp (which has not been his strong suit anyway) and not found the net on his shot consistently. In my opinion I just think he is squeezing the stick a little too hard right now. Still one of the best D-men in the league.
- wrister

AND...he has played with 3 different D-men partners this year. Additionally he didnt start putting up points last year until about the same time this year, so we should start to see more O as everything gets settled. He is even while playing on all the PK and PP units. No worries here.....

What has happened to "Sugar" Shea Weber???

1 point is not what I would have expected after signing such a massive contract in the off-season.

He has been such a powerful force on the blueline for years...I'm just wondering if not having Ryan Suter beside him really makes that much difference...or is he simply in a rut?

I haven't had a chance to watch a Pred game yet...I'm just wondering if someone who watches the Preds full time would care to share their opinion.
- PrairieFire

Unlike others here, I don't think the absence of Suter is having much of an effect on Shea. His defense has been outstanding, and to be fair, the Preds are pretty much ALWAYS on defense because we have no offensive game plan, and our forwards don't work through the checks. Our fourth line doesn't scare anyone, and our supposed first line has been impotent which allows the other teams to set their top guys against Webs.

Once this team starts clicking, and you can see it starting to happen with Wilson and Bourque, then Weber's numbers will go up as well. In the meantime, I'm really happy to have him hold the opposition to pretty much nothing when he's on the ice.

Unlike others here, I don't think the absence of Suter is having much of an effect on Shea. His defense has been outstanding, and to be fair, the Preds are pretty much ALWAYS on defense because we have no offensive game plan, and our forwards don't work through the checks. Our fourth line doesn't scare anyone, and our supposed first line has been impotent which allows the other teams to set their top guys against Webs.

Once this team starts clicking, and you can see it starting to happen with Wilson and Bourque, then Weber's numbers will go up as well. In the meantime, I'm really happy to have him hold the opposition to pretty much nothing when he's on the ice.
- Predaceous

Trotz needs to invert the forward lines. It is easy to see which brings the energy and want-to.
Which line would you like to see get the minutes?

Trotz needs to invert the forward lines. It is easy to see which brings the energy and want-to.
Which line would you like to see get the minutes?
- Fangor

I'd like to see a line of 57/12/33

Fisher is in there by default because I'm not really seeing much from our centers. Spaling has been energetic, but his shot accuracy is horrific. Legwand is Legwand. He's never been a #1 center to me and this year he seems to be slowing down. Gaustad... NO!

Man, if Smith could get his game in gear, how scary would that line be? 57/15/33 or 57/33/15.

Hoping for Weber to get going offensively.

I'd like to see a line of 57/12/33

Fisher is in there by default because I'm not really seeing much from our centers. Spaling has been energetic, but his shot accuracy is horrific. Legwand is Legwand. He's never been a #1 center to me and this year he seems to be slowing down. Gaustad... NO!

Man, if Smith could get his game in gear, how scary would that line be? 57/15/33 or 57/33/15.
- Predaceous

Fisher needs to be the Second Line Center - 10/12/74. That's a perfectly acceptable second line.

I agree, skate Wilson at center. I could live with a 57/33/15 line. I mean, why not? Wilson's more responsible this year. I've always heard in the past that Trotz feared giving too much rope to Wilson. But that's got to be less of a concern now. He's the only one generating any offense right now. And they would skate plenty of shifts with the top D-pair. No reason to fear that combo.

I will fall over in my chair if I saw these forward lines:
57/33/15
10/12/74
18/11/24
28/13/23(or16)

But Trotz...for all his good qualities...is very slow to change his opinion on things. A couple weeks ago, he started 7 D-men out of necessity. It worked for a couple games, so he just kept it rolling. But now the offense is out of sync. I wonder why?

Trotz did say to the paper he was prepared to move back to a 6-D lineup. Maybe it will be tonite!

Fisher needs to be the Second Line Center - 10/12/74. That's a perfectly acceptable second line.

I agree, skate Wilson at center. I could live with a 57/33/15 line. I mean, why not? Wilson's more responsible this year. I've always heard in the past that Trotz feared giving too much rope to Wilson. But that's got to be less of a concern now. He's the only one generating any offense right now. And they would skate plenty of shifts with the top D-pair. No reason to fear that combo.

I will fall over in my chair if I saw these forward lines:
57/33/15
10/12/74
18/11/24
28/13/23(or16)

But Trotz...for all his good qualities...is very slow to change his opinion on things. A couple weeks ago, he started 7 D-men out of necessity. It worked for a couple games, so he just kept it rolling. But now the offense is out of sync. I wonder why?

Trotz did say to the paper he was prepared to move back to a 6-D lineup. Maybe it will be tonite!
- holycow_75

I heard that Gill might be a bit banged up and to keep him up for his power play killing ability, BT dressed Blum for 5 on 5 and Gill for to kill man disadvantages.

I like your lines but would make 16 a perma-scratch. McG would be my choice if you need a toughie

" shown an ability to score in bunches" ??????????? that happened once! 1 out of twelve isn't an ability it's either luck, a poor opponent, the infamous hockey gods or caught someone on a bad night. we've been shutout 3 times so that must be showing an ability to really suck on offense.

I'd like to see a line of 57/12/33

Fisher is in there by default because I'm not really seeing much from our centers. Spaling has been energetic, but his shot accuracy is horrific. Legwand is Legwand. He's never been a #1 center to me and this year he seems to be slowing down. Gaustad... NO!

Man, if Smith could get his game in gear, how scary would that line be? 57/15/33 or 57/33/15.
- Predaceous

+1000

Great ending to a very frustrating game tonight!

And the big brawl in 113 was pretty entertaining, too!

And the big brawl in 113 was pretty entertaining, too!
- wings-suck

Pekka being Pekka & GWG aside...that was the most entertaining part of the night.

I wanna know more on the sharks fan who tried to fight everyone in 113. Anyone know what happened? That dude looked like he got his ass beat.

I wanna know more on the sharks fan who tried to fight everyone in 113. Anyone know what happened? That dude looked like he got his ass beat.
- Pig

This was from someone a section over:

“Was in the section over from the fight in the stands, saw it all. Really brutal. And sad. Sharks fan yells obscenities/flies bird at her whole section – she’s ejected. Fans cheer, her boyfriend gets angry, starts same thing. Boyfriend asks Preds fan six rows away to fight – he comes down stairs, they go tumbling down several rows, throwing punches. Sharks fan rails on Preds guy till everyone else in the section goes to break it up. Sharks fan gets tangled in his own shirt, takes beating. Bunch of guys in Preds gear jumped on him till it was diffused. Definitely blood, arrests. Ugly. Booze clearly involved. Don’t condone Preds fans actions, but largely self defense/helping. Hated to see it. From what I saw, most Preds fans attempted to break it up. Sharks fan kept throwing punches/yelling after being detained. Finally, multiple people escorted out of the stands. Too bad, missed a good ending – thanks to @TheViewfrom111 for the great seats.”

“Wow. At the bar, talking to Preds fan who helped restrain Sharks fan. Said he got him restrained from behind, but then (more) Sharks fan whirls around, hits him in the face, and pushes Preds fan’s girlfriend down stairs. Preds fan bloodied, given new (free) shirt. This guy’s girlfriend is saying Sharks fan was screaming incredibly misogynistic insults at women in section. She hit him. To clarify: Preds fan’s girlfriend hit after being hit, or so she’s telling me.”

I’ll add more as they come.

For the record, the account is a bit different from what I remember as far as the fight goes. From my seat across the way I saw the Sharks fan getting into it with the Preds fan then the Sharks fan and ONLY the Sharks fan went flying down the stairs. A Preds fan ran after him and the fists flew again. His jersey was pulled up over his head which was kinda funny. It took awhile for security to get there, and even when they did they had to get 5 or so involved to get the guy out of the building.

Here's a picture of the douchebag.

http://img16.imagevenue.c...57_IMG_2126_122_510lo.jpg

D

I wanna know more on the sharks fan who tried to fight everyone in 113. Anyone know what happened? That dude looked like he got his ass beat.
- Pig

I saw a bit from 119, saw the Sharks guy jawing with a Preds fan for about 30 seconds, the he ran down and swung at the Preds fan, guy ducked and (from my vantage point) threw the Sharks guy down the stairs.

Looked crazy....