Paul McCann: Game Night in Smashville

Fist.

About the only thing I'm really looking forward to in this season anymore is the viewing party at Burger Republic. Not to sound like a commercial here, but I went last week and it was FANTASTIC. I'm glad I heard about it on Slapshot Radio otherwise I would have never known about it, and it's not that far from my house. I just don't get up and down Nolensville Rd. all that often.

Hell, I might go again tomorrow. Can't go tonight. Preds game ya know.

I'm glad to see the kids playing more. They're the ones who inject life into this team. It's exciting to think about the future of this club as I do believe we have some scorers in the pipeline.

I still believe in Blum. Blum isn't committing nearly as many egregious errors as Klein did, nor is he putting four goals a season in his own net like Hamhuis used to do. He's making some very solid plays right now, but he's playing under the Pred Fanbase Microscope and every little thing he does wrong is getting magnified. Case and point, Chicago's goal on Saturday. Everyone is blaming Blum for how he played the 2 on 1, but he was more committed to one player than the other, and Rinne was waaaaayyyy to far out of position on that play. Let's also not forget that Blum was the ONLY player to even be in position to defend that play. He'll be fine around year three. They all are, and we'll have to find a new defenseman to pick on... unless our defense consists of Weber/Josi, Klein/Bartley, Blum/Ellis. Then Poile will realize his dream of an all draft pick defense corps we'll be looking for a forward to blame.

D

You write this blog like there is no chance for a playoff spot Paul. Yes the ods are against it, and a betting would call it a severe long shot, but it can happen. After all they are playing a majority of those games against other teams with a single digit % chance to make.

If the Preds win out with 54 points. I'll steal someone else's thunder:

MUST WIN GAME

About the only thing I'm really looking forward to in this season anymore is the viewing party at Burger Republic. Not to sound like a commercial here, but I went last week and it was FANTASTIC. I'm glad I heard about it on Slapshot Radio otherwise I would have never known about it, and it's not that far from my house. I just don't get up and down Nolensville Rd. all that often.

Hell, I might go again tomorrow. Can't go tonight. Preds game ya know.

I'm glad to see the kids playing more. They're the ones who inject life into this team. It's exciting to think about the future of this club as I do believe we have some scorers in the pipeline.

I still believe in Blum. Blum isn't committing nearly as many egregious errors as Klein did, nor is he putting four goals a season in his own net like Hamhuis used to do. He's making some very solid plays right now, but he's playing under the Pred Fanbase Microscope and every little thing he does wrong is getting magnified. Case and point, Chicago's goal on Saturday. Everyone is blaming Blum for how he played the 2 on 1, but he was more committed to one player than the other, and Rinne was waaaaayyyy to far out of position on that play. Let's also not forget that Blum was the ONLY player to even be in position to defend that play. He'll be fine around year three. They all are, and we'll have to find a new defenseman to pick on... unless our defense consists of Weber/Josi, Klein/Bartley, Blum/Ellis. Then Poile will realize his dream of an all draft pick defense corps we'll be looking for a forward to blame.

D
- Predaceous

I wasnt there Saturday but I watched on TV. On the fantastic effort by Horny to block the empty netter, guess who he passed getting back to cover up? Our Captain #6 who looked to be out for a Sunday Afternoon skate. Maybe he was at the end of a long shift i dont know but he certainly didnt appear to be hell-bent on blocking that shot like #27 was.

About the only thing I'm really looking forward to in this season anymore is the viewing party at Burger Republic. Not to sound like a commercial here, but I went last week and it was FANTASTIC. I'm glad I heard about it on Slapshot Radio otherwise I would have never known about it, and it's not that far from my house. I just don't get up and down Nolensville Rd. all that often.

Hell, I might go again tomorrow. Can't go tonight. Preds game ya know.

I'm glad to see the kids playing more. They're the ones who inject life into this team. It's exciting to think about the future of this club as I do believe we have some scorers in the pipeline.

I still believe in Blum. Blum isn't committing nearly as many egregious errors as Klein did, nor is he putting four goals a season in his own net like Hamhuis used to do. He's making some very solid plays right now, but he's playing under the Pred Fanbase Microscope and every little thing he does wrong is getting magnified. Case and point, Chicago's goal on Saturday. Everyone is blaming Blum for how he played the 2 on 1, but he was more committed to one player than the other, and Rinne was waaaaayyyy to far out of position on that play. Let's also not forget that Blum was the ONLY player to even be in position to defend that play. He'll be fine around year three. They all are, and we'll have to find a new defenseman to pick on... unless our defense consists of Weber/Josi, Klein/Bartley, Blum/Ellis. Then Poile will realize his dream of an all draft pick defense corps we'll be looking for a forward to blame.

D
- Predaceous

This is year 2 for Blummer, so I guess we(I) expected fewer bone head plays than we are seeing.

I hope the GM remembers we freed up about $5 million of cap space this offseason. Unfortunately, I'm afraid they will say its being used to offset Weber.

This team has be plagued by one thing this year, short season.

Yes, every other team has too and some have fared better but Preds hockey is a long season style of grind which just didn't play out well in this mini season.

I think there are some positives though.

Young guys are getting to play with the big boys giving Poile and Co time to truly evaluate. Could make for better decisions in the off season.

Who knows....I do know this. My favorite Paul quote of the year is

"For all intents and purposes… there are no other impact games, the Preds simply need to win."

Thanks Paul!

This team has be plagued by one thing this year, short season.

Yes, every other team has too and some have fared better but Preds hockey is a long season style of grind which just didn't play out well in this mini season.

I think there are some positives though.

Young guys are getting to play with the big boys giving Poile and Co time to truly evaluate. Could make for better decisions in the off season.

Who knows....I do know this. My favorite Paul quote of the year is Thanks Paul!
- predJD

Really? I believe the schedule affected every team the same way.

This team has be plagued by one thing this year, short season.

Yes, every other team has too and some have fared better but Preds hockey is a long season style of grind which just didn't play out well in this mini season.

I think there are some positives though.

Young guys are getting to play with the big boys giving Poile and Co time to truly evaluate. Could make for better decisions in the off season.

Who knows....I do know this. My favorite Paul quote of the year is Thanks Paul!
- predJD

I don't buy that in the least.

Columbus plays a similar style, and they're right in the hunt too. Perhaps it's a down year, or they need a talent infusion at the forward spot.

That being said, Nashville has excellent management, and I'm sure next year they'll be right there in the thick of things, as usual.

I don't buy that in the least.

Columbus plays a similar style, and they're right in the hunt too. Perhaps it's a down year, or they need a talent infusion at the forward spot.

That being said, Nashville has excellent management, and I'm sure next year they'll be right there in the thick of things, as usual.
- howiehandles

It's only a down year for follow through (read as playing 60-65 minutes of hockey). 8 overtime losses. 46 points with 8 games to go puts this team firmly in 6th. Even if half of those OTL were wins it puts the team at 42 point and in 9th again firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot.

This obviously doesnt take the points away from teams that won in OT so results may have been different.

Again it's not mathematically over, but I can't help but feel that this team couldn't string together 8 wins to save its life. I dont see everyone engaged and playing 60 minutes. I see sloppy plays and no sense of urgency for a full 60 which was needed this season.

It's only a down year for follow through (read as playing 60-65 minutes of hockey). 8 overtime losses. 46 points with 8 games to go puts this team firmly in 6th. Even if half of those OTL were wins it puts the team at 42 point and in 9th again firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot.

This obviously doesnt take the points away from teams that won in OT so results may have been different.

Again it's not mathematically over, but I can't help but feel that this team couldn't string together 8 wins to save its life. I dont see everyone engaged and playing 60 minutes. I see sloppy plays and no sense of urgency for a full 60 which was needed this season.
- Pig

With Dan Bang in the lineup...NOTHING can stop us!

This is year 2 for Blummer, so I guess we(I) expected fewer bone head plays than we are seeing.

I hope the GM remembers we freed up about $5 million of cap space this offseason. Unfortunately, I'm afraid they will say its being used to offset Weber.
- buelleo

Collectively he has played in 83 games to this point. One game shy of a full season. Klein had three full seasons to get his act together. Blum needs more consistent playing time.

I saw Centennial High School play in USA Hockey Club High School Nationals here in South Florida vs. Omaha, Centennial won, and has some very good players who could fly out there. I also got to see the Nashville Jr. Predators Squirt AAA team play in the Bauer invitational in Chicago back in November, you have some good hockey brewing up there, now build some more rinks for the kids!

Good news is that it might be Jaskins first NHL game. Got called up today.

I have been pointing to this offseason for a while - wondering what Poile is going to do. It's clear to most Preds fans that the team could use one or two real scorers on the top couple of lines. In the past, names like Arnott & Kariya added not only some veteran scoring threats - but also excited the fan base as those are names they had heard before.

I know everyone is pretty excited about the Forsberg kid. And rightfully so. But he's a kid. I just wonder instead of going after an aging and expensive UFA (Elias, Ribeiro, Iginla..etc.) that maybe Poile would take a different approach. There are a ton of younger guys out there who already have 2-3 seasons under their belt with plenty of scoring pop who could be offered in the $5MM/season range as RFA's. Guys like Gagner (EDM), Stewart (STL), Wheeler & Little (WPG). Maybe they could be signed to longer term deals & still bring some true top-line scoring ability.

As much as I would love to see a Penner, Filppula or Clowe on the Preds, it just doesn't seem likely with a thin pool of name guys in their prime. And they will over pay to get one of those guys. Of course, with all the home-grown talent playing at value level contracts, the team should be able to afford overpaying a couple pieces.

Anybody have other thoughts on who you'd like to see Poile go after? I'm assuming he's going to be pretty set on D - unless something just drops in his lap.

Good news is that it might be Jaskins first NHL game. Got called up today.
- Gerk

Doesn't look like he will play unless someone can't go last minute.

You write this blog like there is no chance for a playoff spot Paul. Yes the ods are against it, and a betting would call it a severe long shot, but it can happen. After all they are playing a majority of those games against other teams with a single digit % chance to make.

If the Preds win out with 54 points. I'll steal someone else's thunder:

MUST WIN GAME
- Pig

I appreciate your optimism, but come on.... Do you honestly think it can happen?

I appreciate your optimism, but come on.... Do you honestly think it can happen?
- woody123451

Mathematically it can happen. So yes it can happen. That doesnt mean it will obviously.

I have been pointing to this offseason for a while - wondering what Poile is going to do. It's clear to most Preds fans that the team could use one or two real scorers on the top couple of lines. In the past, names like Arnott & Kariya added not only some veteran scoring threats - but also excited the fan base as those are names they had heard before.

I know everyone is pretty excited about the Forsberg kid. And rightfully so. But he's a kid. I just wonder instead of going after an aging and expensive UFA (Elias, Ribeiro, Iginla..etc.) that maybe Poile would take a different approach. There are a ton of younger guys out there who already have 2-3 seasons under their belt with plenty of scoring pop who could be offered in the $5MM/season range as RFA's. Guys like Gagner (EDM), Stewart (STL), Wheeler & Little (WPG). Maybe they could be signed to longer term deals & still bring some true top-line scoring ability.

As much as I would love to see a Penner, Filppula or Clowe on the Preds, it just doesn't seem likely with a thin pool of name guys in their prime. And they will over pay to get one of those guys. Of course, with all the home-grown talent playing at value level contracts, the team should be able to afford overpaying a couple pieces.

Anybody have other thoughts on who you'd like to see Poile go after? I'm assuming he's going to be pretty set on D - unless something just drops in his lap.
- holycow_75

I do NOT want to see Pancakes Penner in a Preds uniform, and I don't think Trotz would even allow it.

Doesn't look like he will play unless someone can't go last minute.
- carcus

Well that's too bad. Everyone scores their first goal against the Preds. It would have been a good game for him to start in.

Well that's too bad. Everyone scores their first goal against the Preds. It would have been a good game for him to start in.
- Predaceous

Why do I feel like I have played my big brother in hockey the last 5 games. Wouldn't it be easier for the other 7 players to wear Admirals sweaters then the 10 Admirals wear Pred sweaters?

I can't wait for the draft. #SuckForSeth #DroppinForDrouin

I can't wait for the draft. #SuckForSeth #DroppinForDrouin
- predram

#StopWinninForMcKinnon

Another ugly, boring game.

Hopefully that game showed Poile that he can't have a 'youth movement' and expect this team to move forward next season. However, now that Erat's reason for asking out is well known it's going to be tough to convince anyone, FA-wise, to head to Nashville next season. Poile's going to have to do it through trades.

Quite honestly, a youth movement isn't what this team needs right now. With only modest success in the playoffs they need to make a push to get better, not younger. You can do both if you do it right, but going whole hog on the youth movement will set this team back to expansion days, and no one wants to go through that again. Not right now.

#StopWinninForMcKinnon
- Predaceous

Starting to like the Lindholm kid.