Paul McCann: Game Night in Smashville - Fan Appreciation Night

So you're saying it's Poile's fault for mismanaging the team.

"The Detroit Red Wings have made the playoffs for the 23rd consecutive season… the Predators get a better draft pick, making the David Legwand trade an even bigger steal for the Predators."

Steal or just a good deal with both sides winning? I'm not sure the Wings would be in the playoffs right now without making that deal and that was the whole point of making it. Nobody got ripped off here. Wings have tons of up and coming talent and can definitely afford to give up what the paid.

"The Detroit Red Wings have made the playoffs for the 23rd consecutive season… the Predators get a better draft pick, making the David Legwand trade an even bigger steal for the Predators."

Steal or just a good deal with both sides winning? I'm not sure the Wings would be in the playoffs right now without making that deal and that was the whole point of making it. Nobody got ripped off here. Wings have tons of up and coming talent and can definitely afford to give up what the paid.
- TheCaptain19

Agreed. We need future, skilled players at the forward position. You needed a solid 2-way center to put a band-aid on the Trauma unit your forward cadre had become. Leggy is consistent. I think that with your skill coming back from IR, Leggy centering the third line could be huge for him and your playoff run. You'll may be able to role 3 scoring lines. He can be a point per game in the playoffs if he has scoring lines above him in the order.

Go Nashville,

Sincerely,

The Dallas Stars

What I fully expected to hear from a Preds employee....

"will it make a difference? I’m not so sure… the road to missing the playoffs has been paved with coaching changes that were supposed to answer the “problem with a team.” Look no further than Vancouver for the latest example of that…"

OR we can look at STL who made a change in 2011. Hitch took a team in the bottom of the league standings with 87 points to 109, 60 & 111 points.

Keep in mind.... No "real" additions until 2013 (Bouw) & 2014 (Miller) AND no elite goal-scorer through the draft.

I just never understand this attitude of "well it might not be better so lets just stick with what we have." You can either work to be a Victor or a Victim & that attitude is a Victims attitude if ever there was one.

What I fully expected to hear from a Preds employee....

"will it make a difference? I’m not so sure… the road to missing the playoffs has been paved with coaching changes that were supposed to answer the “problem with a team.” Look no further than Vancouver for the latest example of that…"

OR we can look at STL who made a change in 2011. Hitch took a team in the bottom of the league standings with 87 points to 109, 60 & 111 points.

Keep in mind.... No "real" additions until 2013 (Bouw) & 2014 (Miller) AND no elite goal-scorer through the draft.

I just never understand this attitude of "well it might not be better so lets just stick with what we have." You can either work to be a Victor or a Victim & that attitude is a Victims attitude if ever there was one.
- buelleo

There needs to be change for two reasons. First of all, Barry has had the "star studded team" with the likes of Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg, and it just didn't get done.

Second of all, the change needs to happen because hockey is more than just a person and his commitment and even skill. It is a PRODUCT. The Predators, just like any other organization are a PRODUCT that is bought and sold. Tickets, merchandise, souvenirs, sponsorships, branding, etc. And that PRODUCT is determined by the base which supports it. This move has to be looked at from the PR angle of it. I think it will do more damage to keep him than it would be to bring in a new face - even if we miss the playoffs again . It shows commitment, desire to win, the willingness to adjust.

For the record, we have drafted good forwards - remember Colin Wilson?

This team will not get better overnight. A good draft pick does nothing for us - we have two of them now in Calle Jarnkrok and Philip Forsberg. I am happy with those two.

This team needs to acquire a top forward that is proven to score 30+ goals consistently. That will be hard in UFA as the player has a say, and Nashville isn't the best market in town. It must come via trade.

There needs to be change for two reasons. First of all, Barry has had the "star studded team" with the likes of Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg, and it just didn't get done.

Second of all, the change needs to happen because hockey is more than just a person and his commitment and even skill. It is a PRODUCT. The Predators, just like any other organization are a PRODUCT that is bought and sold. Tickets, merchandise, souvenirs, sponsorships, branding, etc. And that PRODUCT is determined by the base which supports it. This move has to be looked at from the PR angle of it. I think it will do more damage to keep him than it would be to bring in a new face - even if we miss the playoffs again . It shows commitment, desire to win, the willingness to adjust.

For the record, we have drafted good forwards - remember Colin Wilson?

This team will not get better overnight. A good draft pick does nothing for us - we have two of them now in Calle Jarnkrok and Philip Forsberg. I am happy with those two.

This team needs to acquire a top forward that is proven to score 30+ goals consistently. That will be hard in UFA as the player has a say, and Nashville isn't the best market in town. It must come via trade.
- jmayfield

I'm starting to think Colin Wilson won't be back next year. I could see a package deal of Wilson, Stahlberg, & a prospect to land a top 3 guy. DP will be a little more desperate in the off season if he doesn't retire or survives the front office cleaning.

Is Trotz going to be looking for a new job this summer in your opinions?

Is Trotz going to be looking for a new job this summer in your opinions?
- ClarksonDavid

YES. And he will have no trouble getting one ( deservedly so), but it's time for change in Nashville.

But the question needs to be asked… should there be a change?
- pmccann

Yes. 15 seasons, no banners and only two playoff round wins. I think we've had enough of a sample size to know what Trotz is capable of. He's capable of getting the team to the playoffs. He's barely capable of getting the team to the second round if everything falls just right. He is not capable of getting the team to the conference finals nor is he capable of a division title.

He's had crap teams that he's done wonders with. He's also had amazing teams that he severely under-performed with. He was great for the stability of this franchise, but the Predators are not an expansion team anymore. It's time to move on.

but will it make a difference?

We won't know until we try it.

Frankly, this coaching staff has facilitated some high-powered offenses over the past few years… I know it is a perception, I also am not sure that perception is rooted in reality however as this “system” has produced players that have had career years offensively… Jason Arnott’s 33 goal season, Steve Sullivan averaged a point per game in his tenure with the Predators (better performance than any other team he played for,) Paul Kariya averaged 80 points a season here, JP Dumont had three of the most productive seasons of his career, Patric Hornqvist has turned into a dependable 20 per year goal scorer… so again… I’m not sure the “system” is incapable of producing good offensive numbers.

The problem I see with this argument is that they were all acquired via free agency, not products of 'the system' and they all played on the same team. When you have a load of talent on the same team they tend to help each other play better. Legwand had his best year ever when he played alongside Kariya. His numbers promptly dropped after that.

What 'the system' has produced is a bunch of games where the Preds have scored 1 or 0 goals. In the last four seasons the Preds have been shutout more than any other team.

Trotz's system is about defense at the expense of offense. His system is a dinosaur. Something needs to change.

I appreciate Trotz's contributions to this team as do all Preds fans. The reality of the fact that it's time to move on doesn't mean we don't remember all the good things he's done for the organization over the years. He will be a great coach somewhere else, but his time here is over. At least it should be. And when that final call is made, it will be a bittersweet moment for me personally. I'm sure it will be for many, but emotion can't rule the day. A change is definitely needed.

It is with that in mind that I hope to be able to salute Trotz as he stands behind the opposing players' bench at Bridgestone Arena next season.

Is Trotz going to be looking for a new job this summer in your opinions?
- ClarksonDavid

He will be unless the organization decides to offer him another position in the front office and he takes it.

Agreed. We need future, skilled players at the forward position. You needed a solid 2-way center to put a band-aid on the Trauma unit your forward cadre had become. Leggy is consistent. I think that with your skill coming back from IR, Leggy centering the third line could be huge for him and your playoff run. You'll may be able to role 3 scoring lines. He can be a point per game in the playoffs if he has scoring lines above him in the order.
- HockeyHop

I think the jury is still out on the trade. Yes, they got into the playoffs, but if they get smoked in the first round, who cares? What if Legwand signs elsewhere in the offseason?

Jarnkrok looks like the real deal, and the 2nd rounder is just icing on the cake, but what if Jarnkrok takes a nosedive and doesn't perform to the level he is now?

This trade will be judged in a few years. I personally love the return the Preds got for Legwand.

I think the jury is still out on the trade. Yes, they got into the playoffs, but if they get smoked in the first round, who cares? What if Legwand signs elsewhere in the offseason?

Jarnkrok looks like the real deal, and the 2nd rounder is just icing on the cake, but what if Jarnkrok takes a nosedive and doesn't perform to the level he is now?

This trade will be judged in a few years. I personally love the return the Preds got for Legwand.
- Predaceous

Leggy will do great in the playoffs this year, get his 4 year deal he is looking for in the offseason. Leggy will end up in Florida.

Jankrok got away from the Detroit depth where he was trapped! Win-win for both sides

I wonder if Trotz has considered resigning...either now or somewhere else during the 15 years??

Yes. 15 seasons, no banners and only two playoff round wins. I think we've had enough of a sample size to know what Trotz is capable of. He's capable of getting the team to the playoffs. He's barely capable of getting the team to the second round if everything falls just right. He is not capable of getting the team to the conference finals nor is he capable of a division title.

He's had crap teams that he's done wonders with. He's also had amazing teams that he severely under-performed with. He was great for the stability of this franchise, but the Predators are not an expansion team anymore. It's time to move on.



We won't know until we try it.



The problem I see with this argument is that they were all acquired via free agency, not products of 'the system' and they all played on the same team. When you have a load of talent on the same team they tend to help each other play better. Legwand had his best year ever when he played alongside Kariya. His numbers promptly dropped after that.

What 'the system' has produced is a bunch of games where the Preds have scored 1 or 0 goals. In the last four seasons the Preds have been shutout more than any other team.

Trotz's system is about defense at the expense of offense. His system is a dinosaur. Something needs to change.

I appreciate Trotz's contributions to this team as do all Preds fans. The reality of the fact that it's time to move on doesn't mean we don't remember all the good things he's done for the organization over the years. He will be a great coach somewhere else, but his time here is over. At least it should be. And when that final call is made, it will be a bittersweet moment for me personally. I'm sure it will be for many, but emotion can't rule the day. A change is definitely needed.

It is with that in mind that I hope to be able to salute Trotz as he stands behind the opposing players' bench at Bridgestone Arena next season.
- Predaceous

Well said! Paul, the only way you can possibly be saying that change is not needed is because you're on the payroll. Show me any sports franchise with a similar record that has kept both the coach and GM in place for even 10 years. Trotz has had A DECADE AND A HALF to prove he can get coach the team but more importantly develop the drafted talent. He gets a B on coaching but a D on developing talent in my book. NEXT.

don't know the exact numbers but has our power play taken a dive since they lost Legwand? i don't have anything but respect for Trotz but the team has become stale the last few years and I think it would be best for both sides if they bring in a new coach and trotz can go somewhere else. I used to get nervous and excited watching every game in years past but this year I barely can watch the games. I usually tape them then fast forward and i feel i don't miss anything. I think i hit the wall when at the end of last year we hear about how things are going to change and we sign (shocker) more grinders. On top of that Trotz benching the young offensive guys and handcuffing them for defense yet veterans had no accountability for their stagnant play. I would rather a new coach come in and see if it would be possible to dump a few of the 3rd or 4th line guys and bring up some young guys from the minors and get some experience. I would be more excited watching young talent have growing pains as long as we get to see what their potential might be instead of rolling grinders in year after year.

think about it how exciting would it be to see a young line like Jarnkrok, Foresberg, and Leipsic play together and show growth. or Watson, Budish and Beck just to name some guys.

Paul, you couldn't not write about this topic AND you can't really say change is needed due to your position. We appreciate that. You are totally taking one for the team, literally, with this blog post.

David Climber was saying he thought the writing was on the wall when Housley was hired and that he thinks he's the likely next coach.

I'm fine with that. However, from here on the owners should have a 3 and 5 year evaluation of all coaches. You get three years to start. After three years if you're not seriously moving the team forward your gone. I'm not saying ya gotta win a cup in three years (though I'm not gonna hate that if it happened) I'm saying you have three years to make the team a competitive playoff caliber team. After 5 years the same process happens again only you have to have the team to a point at which playing in the finals is a realistic possibility.

If not Housley I'd like to see what Randy Carlyle could do.

Trotz will get another job if he's fired. I could see Carolina, Calgary or Edmonton as possible. That is if he doesn't just retire from NHL coaching because he doesn't want to move the family.

There are two coaches that can do more with this roster than Trotz. One is behind the Red Wings bench, and the other is behind the Bruins. Otherwise, we're simply cutting off our nose to spite our face. Not that the we're in the same boat as the Sabres, but they did get rid of their longtime coach as they were rebuilding. He's now leading the Stars to their first playoffs in years while the Sabres lead the league in losses. They have, however, scored a miraculous first rounder from some yahoo in return for a faceoff fourth liner. Trotz is not to blame for the Gaustad trade either even if he wanted it.


Edit: if you want high scoring, turn on the fracking NBA and enjoy your lack of defense.

Fans holding signs wishing Trotz and family well and shirt off our backs last night rather than at last home game. Could it be a retirement announcement before final game and it becomes a Trotz feel good send off?

There are two coaches that can do more with this roster than Trotz. One is behind the Red Wings bench, and the other is behind the Bruins. Otherwise, we're simply cutting off our nose to spite our face. Not that the we're in the same boat as the Sabres, but they did get rid of their longtime coach as they were rebuilding. He's now leading the Stars to their first playoffs in years while the Sabres lead the league in losses. They have, however, scored a miraculous first rounder from some yahoo in return for a faceoff fourth liner. Trotz is not to blame for the Gaustad trade either even if he wanted it.


Edit: if you want high scoring, turn on the fracking NBA and enjoy your lack of defense.
- Vegas Trotzkies

The Sabres had/have a lot more issues going on than just behind the bench unlike the Preds. The coach in question, like Trotz, had topped out with what he could do with that team in that franchise, and for every coach that leaves and the team does worse there as many that get better. Change is always resisted but is unavoidable. If not now then soon. However, this means that the next person on the hot seat is Poile. It better be a hell of an off season is all I can say.

I have to agree with all the previous posts that Poile and Trotz need to go. Sometimes change needs to be made for various reasons... Losing a fan base, maybe Trotz and Poile have gotten a little too comfortable and routine after all those years, it makes the players more accountable under a new coaching staff as all players have to earn their roster spot.
We also have to hold our owners accountable. While I truly appreciate these gentlemen "saving the Preds" a few years back with their pocketbooks, do any of them truly have any hockey knowledge? While I recognize this is a business, it is different than running a health care business.
Sometimes change is good.