Paul McCann: Finally a Win!

"The ironic thing was, the players you have been hearing criticized over the past few days led the way. Rich Clune, Paul Gaustad and Matt Hendricks"

Lets be honest. I'm not sure there was criticism of the players as much as managements decision to sign those players. No doubt we are a bigger, faster, grittier team, and those players fulfill that role very well, however the criticism lies in the fact that those signings did nothing to improve the offensive aspect of the team.

Secondly any criticism of those players were simply the criticism of the coach to sit a offensive player for a 4th line grit player.

"The other player that has been heavily criticized is Carter Hutton..."

Again, I think you missed the target. Simply, signing a goalie with 1 NHL game experience to backup a #1 goalie coming off major hip surgery is irresponsible.

Finally, a win is a win, but getting excited that your 4th line grit players had 7 points is misguided when you should be concerned that our #1 line had 1 point.

"The ironic thing was, the players you have been hearing criticized over the past few days led the way. Rich Clune, Paul Gaustad and Matt Hendricks"

Lets be honest. I'm not sure there was criticism of the players as much as managements decision to sign those players. No doubt we are a bigger, faster, grittier team, and those players fulfill that role very well, however the criticism lies in the fact that those signings did nothing to improve the offensive aspect of the team.

Secondly any criticism of those players were simply the criticism of the coach to sit a offensive player for a 4th line grit player.

"The other player that has been heavily criticized is Carter Hutton..."

Again, I think you missed the target. Simply, signing a goalie with 1 NHL game experience to backup a #1 goalie coming off major hip surgery is irresponsible.

Finally, a win is a win, but getting excited that your 4th line grit players had 7 points is misguided when you should be concerned that our #1 line had 1 point.
- buelleo

I think I will be the first to come out and say that I am a fan of Rich Clune.
When he does get the chance to play he does his job of providing energy, antagonizing the opponent and fighting.
If you notice..this guy is a good skater, decent puck skills and can provide some points from time to time.
When was the last time you saw a Preds player who played this role provide any offense whatsoever in the limited games and minutes this guy gets.

As long as our grinders provide that kind of offense, even occasionally, opposing teams will start to pay more attention to them and it will spread them thin. Hopefully...

Finally an enjoyable game to watch.

Against a Rangers team that is severely struggling and was without Callahan for most of the game and Staal for the entire game, I would hardly say this is any indication of improvement. It's just a favorable result, nothing more.

Paul,

Most of the criticism has to do with the "Predator Way" system and its penchant for rolling 4 number 3 lines, not the specific players. I happen to like Gaustad but maybe not at that high of a price.

The good news is the Preds 4th line was by far their best line last night. That's also the bad news.

LOVED THE CRISPY BLOG AND YOUR COMMENTS.

I grew up listening to UK and St Louis Cardinal baseball and was lucky to hear Cawood Ledford and Jack Buck ( along w/ Harry Carey for a while) call those games. Very early on in Predator history I realized I once again was lucky. This time w/ not only a great play by play man, but a terrific analyst as well. Not only are they great individually, but their chemistry is fantastic as well. I'm sure there are many great NHL broadcast teams, but this is one area we, as an NHL franchise, take a backseat to nobody.

Against a Rangers team that is severely struggling and was without Callahan for most of the game and Staal for the entire game, I would hardly say this is any indication of improvement. It's just a favorable result, nothing more.
- Vegas Trotzkies

We're severely struggling and without Rinne.