Paul McCann: Sunday Night Review / Monday Night Preview

Paul McCann: Sunday Night Review / Monday Night Preview
- pmccann

Former Predator Scottie Upshall is at loggerheads with his coach in Florida. Kevin Dineen is quoted in today’s Sun Sentinel "No question, Scottie and I are at odds at different times. I'm stubborn and I have a real belief in the way he has to play to be an effective player.” Pretty blunt talk from the coach.

Sounds familiar to Preds, Yotes and maybe even the Blue Jackets. Not sure about the Flyers. Sounds like this might be a player thing iso a coach thing?????


Are we nearing uncharted territory with this current L streak? I cant remember the early days well enough anymore to remember any 6 game streaks but i suspect there are some out there????

I was impressed by Forsberg's offensive instincts last night. He logged what...close to 18 minutes of ice time? Pretty good on no sleep & an hour of morning skate with his new team. Heck, he'd probably have his first NHL point if the Preds had anyone capable of finishing around the net (granted Howard was pretty good).

To me, this is a much better situation than just barely missing the playoffs. They get to see the young kids in action against a couple of pretty desperate teams. And the young guys are holding up pretty well. They played better than the Wings for 25 minutes last night.

If ever, though, last night was a shining example that this team needs some offensive identity & leadership. It wasn't the young hot shots who scored for the Wings last night (ok - Abdelkader is not old...but he scored in the empty net). Zetterberg & Franzen are veteran scorers. Oh, how this Preds team would benefit from one or two players like that to guide the obvious young talent they have.

Beck has impressed me a lot. And I like some of what I saw last night from Watson & Forsberg. Bartley has shown promise on the D side. Get the young kids some real offensive leadership Poile. Please!

Was it just me, or was Smith horrible last night? He seems to get worse as he gets more experience. I'm not sure if Trotz's system has him hog-tied...or if he's just not what we thought he could be.

Id rather they just focus on attempting to get the best chance at the highest draft pick. Forsberg looked good last night and more time to practice will only help. You put this guy and Mackinnon together and you'll have something. Drouin or Monahan would also work.

The point is we get an NHL ready player from the draft to fill these gap. People like Colin Wilson continue to step up and we are in a solid position for next season.

We desperately need a backup goalie. Sorry, but Mason isn't cutting it. Smith needs to go as well.

Id rather they just focus on attempting to get the best chance at the highest draft pick. Forsberg looked good last night and more time to practice will only help. You put this guy and Mackinnon together and you'll have something. Drouin or Monahan would also work.


- Pig

Any of those three would be great...but the Preds will need some good luck in the Lottery to get them. If the Preds get a pick lower than 7/8...those guys will be gone. Then, you are in more of a Lindholm/Barkov/Mantha realm (still great upside...but probably not as close to being NHL ready). The one guy I've heard a lot about is the big Russian - Nichushkin. But given the Preds' history with Radulov & the fact that Nichushkin may have contract issues in Russia...I think the Preds will stay away!

I was really impressed with Beck's play and one of the NBCSN announcers was drooling over Beck during the game. Forsberg looked good despite all of the things working against him: lack of sleep, time change, different ice size, etc. Having all of these young players in the lineup will give them great experience next year. Did anyone notice Austin Watson and Bång on the ice on the PK. Those are two big boys I'd like to see fill in to that defensive forward role.
On another note, it is a weird feeling almost rooting for your team to lose to get the first pick. I would be happy with any pick inside the top ten. If Nashville could lose their way into second overall that would be great. We don't really need another dman as much as we need a forward (we would obviously pick Seth Jones if we got the first pick.) Plus defensemen picked early are more risky than forwards picked early.

The Predators have dropped six straight and have only scored six goals in that streak, being shut out three times.
- pmccann

Only three times? Feels like more than that.

Only three times? Feels like more than that.
- Predaceous

EDIT:

Now Klein is injured. When does it stop?!
Ekholm now has a chance to prove himself. Nashville will have 97 games of experience between 7 players on their active roster.

We don't really need another dman as much as we need a forward (we would obviously pick Seth Jones if we got the first pick.) .
- Bryant44

I don't know if it is a lock. I think it is painfully obvious, even to Poile, that this team is lacking on big-time scoring forwards. If we luck out and get the 1st pick, I would love to have Poile call up CO, EDM, and FL to see who would give him the sweetest deal in order to move up a spot or two. They get their D, we still get an oustanding F plus something additional like a high 2nd round pick.

I was really impressed with Beck's play and one of the NBCSN announcers was drooling over Beck during the game. Forsberg looked good despite all of the things working against him: lack of sleep, time change, different ice size, etc. Having all of these young players in the lineup will give them great experience next year. Did anyone notice Austin Watson and Bång on the ice on the PK. Those are two big boys I'd like to see fill in to that defensive forward role.
On another note, it is a weird feeling almost rooting for your team to lose to get the first pick. I would be happy with any pick inside the top ten. If Nashville could lose their way into second overall that would be great. We don't really need another dman as much as we need a forward (we would obviously pick Seth Jones if we got the first pick.) Plus defensemen picked early are more risky than forwards picked early.
- Bryant44

If the Preds did manage to get one of the top couple of picks...they may be able to parlay that into trading down and picking up another draft pick or two rather than to just take Jones at the 1 spot when D is not their primary position of need. I think if they get #1, so many teams covet Jones that they could trade down to the 4-5 spot, still get one of the 2-3 best forwards & maybe even get a 2nd or 3rd round pick to boot!

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......

If the Preds did manage to get one of the top couple of picks...they may be able to parlay that into trading down and picking up another draft pick or two rather than to just take Jones at the 1 spot when D is not their primary position of need. I think if they get #1, so many teams covet Jones that they could trade down to the 4-5 spot, still get one of the 2-3 best forwards & maybe even get a 2nd or 3rd round pick to boot!
- holycow_75

If Seth Jones is there...Poile takes him. Trading down in the NHL is not the same as the NFL. Our D is pretty horrible even though our need is forward. Past Weber and Josi...the D on this team is pretty awful. Klein is a plug...Gill needs to retire...then we have a slew of nobodies who have made little to no impact.

I would not be shocked at all if Poile took Jones.

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

We will all miss the douchebaggery of your fans. Have fun in the East.

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

So your borderline non-playoff dynasty is the sole reason we sold out all but two of our homes games this year? Of course!

It's silly, really, how in a must-win scenario, you still come on here to whine and moan and whatever.

And there absolutely was a rivalry between us. It culminated when we eliminated you and your storied franchise from the playoffs last year, which by the way was patronized by drunken buffoons cursing at young children.

Speaking of silly, I am certainly excited to not have to deal with all of the DET trolls on here anymore. Now, it's just dshiddy... speaking of which...

If Seth Jones is there...Poile takes him. Trading down in the NHL is not the same as the NFL. Our D is pretty horrible even though our need is forward. Past Weber and Josi...the D on this team is pretty awful. Klein is a plug...Gill needs to retire...then we have a slew of nobodies who have made little to no impact.

I would not be shocked at all if Poile took Jones.
- PoileRulezzzYo

How is it not the same as the NFL? For example, if the Preds got #1 they could not trade it to FL for their #1 and 2nd round pick?

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

Wow you broke out the 'ticket sales' burn! At least you are relevent with your trolling. This is 2008 right?

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

Wow.

I've met several intelligent, polite, and open-minded wings fans over the years. Don't count yourself among them. Read a player interview from time to time. It doesn’t matter if WE think it's a rivalry. THE PLAYERS definitely think it’s a rivalry. Considering they actually play the games and we don't. I'm going to side with them on the matter. Oh and ANY team in your division is a rival, hence the phrase…division rival.

Good luck with that brain problem in the coming years.....

Wow.

I've met several intelligent, polite, and open-minded wings fans over the years. Don't count yourself among them. Read a player interview from time to time. It doesn’t matter if WE think it's a rivalry. THE PLAYERS definitely think it’s a rivalry. Considering they actually play the games and we don't. I'm going to side with them on the matter. Oh and ANY team in your division is a rival, hence the phrase…division rival.

Good luck with that brain problem in the coming years.....
- Pelvis

Check out his location. He probably hopped on the Wings bandwagon after years of Toronto failure. How enjoyable that the Leafs might make the playoffs and the Wings might miss...

If Seth Jones is there...Poile takes him. Trading down in the NHL is not the same as the NFL. Our D is pretty horrible even though our need is forward. Past Weber and Josi...the D on this team is pretty awful. Klein is a plug...Gill needs to retire...then we have a slew of nobodies who have made little to no impact.

You must not know a lot about the Predators because if you did you would know about all of our young defensive depth. Our problem on defense is a lack of experience. The reason those "nobodies" have not made an impact is because they are just starting their NHL careers. Defenseman take much longer to mature than forwards and all they need is a little more time in the NHL. I would have no problem with Poile picking Jones but at the same time we do not need him as much as we do a top three forward who can score (Nashville has one of the lowest scoring averages int he NHL in case you didn't know because you obviously have no idea.) We could trade the draft pick to a team that needs defensive help or is rebuilding for said top three forward.

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

WOW...seriously??? And you took time out of your day to type this...I'm impressed!!! Now BITE ME!!!

That last comment was from
PoileRulezzzYo

Check out his location. He probably hopped on the Wings bandwagon after years of Toronto failure. How enjoyable that the Leafs might make the playoffs and the Wings might miss...
- Shorty's ritalin

Had to mute the game last night because of all the whining about injurys, bunch of cry babies. That was a nice dive by Butler last night

There was never a true rivalry between Nash and Detroit, It always been hard for Wings fans to even get excited about a game.
Just glad the Wings are changing conferences so they can play hockey where it matters.

Good luck with ticket sales next year.......
- Muskoka88

At least try a bit harder with the troll job next time. That was a pathetic effort.

You must not know a lot about the Predators because if you did you would know about all of our young defensive depth. Our problem on defense is a lack of experience. The reason those "nobodies" have not made an impact is because they are just starting their NHL careers. Defenseman take much longer to mature than forwards and all they need is a little more time in the NHL. I would have no problem with Poile picking Jones but at the same time we do not need him as much as we do a top three forward who can score (Nashville has one of the lowest scoring averages int he NHL in case you didn't know because you obviously have no idea.) We could trade the draft pick to a team that needs defensive help or is rebuilding for said top three forward.
- Bryant44

Really? Young defensive depth? You mean Jonathon Blum who is an absolute pilon? Or Ryan Ellis who is constantly being sent down? I will give you that Bartley has played OK...but Ekholm is here only because they had no other choice. If they had such great depth...Hal Gill would and Blum would not be on the ice right now.

The fact is...one top end forward is going to do very little for this team's issues. Seth Jones would help shore up the D and would help move the puck. He is also NHL ready which is very rare for a Dman coming into the NHL. He would have a much larger impact that one good forward.

Also, if you know anything about Poile...is that he LOVES to draft blueliners. IF he can get a forward in FA and has a shot at Jones...I would bet a large amount that he goes with Jones.