Paul McCann: Christmas Presents in July May Be Coal by the Following June

Preds will finish second to last in Division... Not gunna be a fun year

Paul McCann: Christmas Presents in July May Be Coal by the Following June
- pmccann

Heard an interesting comment on Ottawa radio this morning. An insider said if Ottawa got the Legwand that played for Nashville they got a very good player. If they got the guy who played for Detroit they will be disappointed.

Was there a fall off in Legwand last year when he went to Detroit? His Nashville number looked pretty good last year. Was his play okay?

Preds will finish second to last in Division... Not gunna be a fun year
- jl639s

There's a good chance second to last in the Central could have 90 pts and right in the playoff hunt. With that said, I think we barely make the playoffs ahead of Colorado. St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas will take the top 3 with Minny and Preds getting Wild Cards.

Heard an interesting comment on Ottawa radio this morning. An insider said if Ottawa got the Legwand that played for Nashville they got a very good player. If they got the guy who played for Detroit they will be disappointed.

Was there a fall off in Legwand last year when he went to Detroit? His Nashville number looked pretty good last year. Was his play okay?
- spatso

He was always solid here. There never really was a drop, but he had been playing for Trotz his entire career. When he went to Detroit, it was completely new, and there seemed to be a lot of shuffling with injuries and what not that might not have been the best atmosphere to jump right into and feel comfortable.

There's a good chance second to last in the Central could have 90 pts and right in the playoff hunt. With that said, I think we barely make the playoffs ahead of Colorado. St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas will take the top 3 with Minny and Preds getting Wild Cards.
- Vegas Trotzkies

You really think Minny will be a wild card again this year? Goaltending is an issue there but I think their forwards/D-men are solid enough

Anyone that thought Dallas won the UFA period in 2012 with Jagr and Whitney was High as a kite. Those signings were a way to get the cap floor, hopefully we got some veteran stewards, and at least we flipped Jagr. But those signings aren't winning by any stretch.

I like the Stars moves this year, and they get us on the right track, but we're still not a cup contender. Top 3 in the division, maybe. On the right track now, probably. In Nill we trust.

Preds will finish second to last in Division... Not gunna be a fun year
- jl639s

Let me guess...because Trotzy left? Cant think of another reason that statement makes any sense.

Let me guess...because Trotzy left? Cant think of another reason that statement makes any sense.
- buelleo

Perhaps because the division/conference is a beast.

Without seeing what PL does with the style of the team, it is still hard to put this team as a real threat. There is certainly some questions to be answered.

I am guessing the team struggles a bit early with the change of coaching. Players are going to have to think about what they are doing until it becomes natural. If they can get through the probable slow start, you never know...

Let me guess...because Trotzy left? Cant think of another reason that statement makes any sense.
- buelleo

Our division got a lot better last week.

Great call on Volchenkov! Signs for 1yr/$1m

Great call on Volchenkov!
- wareaglePREDS

Should be a decent add to get us through the year. I don't mind him on the third pairing at all. We know Bartley is serviceable as7th man, so at least we should be all set on the backend. The one year contract makes me wonder if one of our lefty prospects will be ready next year. Are Diaby, Vainonen, Bitetto, and Johan Alm all coming to camp this week?

Our division got a lot better last week.
- predswilrule

On paper.

And we've already lost Fisher for 4-6 months. Lecavalier just got a little bit more attractive.

And we've already lost Fisher for 4-6 months. Lecavalier just got a little bit more attractive.
- Vegas Trotzkies

LMFAO! Sorry, that's not directed at your loss. I literally sent this EXACT message to my friends upon receiving this update. Sucks, Fisher is a work-horse, but PLEASE TAKE VINNY!!! He can still play and score, we just have too many centers

Let me guess...because Trotzy left? Cant think of another reason that statement makes any sense.
- buelleo

You do realize you finished second to last in the division 13/14, right? And while all the teams above Nashville seemed to have improved during the offseason, with Fisher out to start the year Nashville only has Neal and Smith as solid bets to put up 50+ points.

You do realize you finished second to last in the division 13/14, right? And while all the teams above Nashville seemed to have improved during the offseason, with Fisher out to start the year Nashville only has Neal and Smith as solid bets to put up 50+ points.
- Antilles

I could easily see Jokinen putting up 60+ being used in a primary scoring center role.

So Jokinen and Cullen are your top two centers now?

Here comes another long year in Nashville.

I could easily see Jokinen putting up 60+ being used in a primary scoring center role.
- Flyers_V88

ummmmmmm, no, just like Stalberg, his offense will die.

I could easily see Jokinen putting up 60+ being used in a primary scoring center role.
- Flyers_V88

Yeah, this isn't happening.

Olli is going to be up against top D pairings and not look good. If he can get the puck to Neal he'll rake up some assists but he isn't going to sniff 60+.

Yeah, this isn't happening.

Olli is going to be up against top D pairings and not look good. If he can get the puck to Neal he'll rake up some assists but he isn't going to sniff 60+.
- hereticpride

He did it on an absolutely brutal Calgary team in 2012... Why not? People forget, he's not as old as people think he is, and he was once a premier scorer. Is 60+ a bankable number? Hell no. But, given the opportunity and playing time under Laviolett's system, I can see it happening. He also has skill that Smith, Fisher, and Gaustad lack by miles. Just saying, it's not that crazy to happen.

ummmmmmm, no, just like Stalberg, his offense will die.
- puckhead17

I am still unsure as to why anyone even thinks highly of Stalberg? He literally hasn't done A THING at the NHL level and had just "potential" with size and speed, whereas someone like Jokinen has recently put up 60+ in 2012 on a TERRIBLE Calgary team... Just saying, it's not that insane.

He did it on an absolutely brutal Calgary team in 2012... Why not? People forget, he's not as old as people think he is, and he was once a premier scorer. Is 60+ a bankable number? Hell no. But, given the opportunity and playing time under Laviolett's system, I can see it happening. He also has skill that Smith, Fisher, and Gaustad lack by miles. Just saying, it's not that crazy to happen.
- Flyers_V88

I just don't think he has the linemates to pull it off. Maybe he can but I have to look at this Preds team as currently laid out and see them have a very hard time putting up points.

I just don't think he has the linemates to pull it off. Maybe he can but I have to look at this Preds team as currently laid out and see them have a very hard time putting up points.
- hereticpride

No I'd agree too, he doesn't, but I feel that players like Jokinen can take advantage of being THE guy on a team like Nashville, whereas on most others, he wouldn't be anymore.

Realistically, I see him putting up 55 or so. But, don't be surprised if he has a comeback type of year. It's not too often you get the chance to be the #1 center on a team and potentially wreap the benefits of more touches and ice-time.

No I'd agree too, he doesn't, but I feel that players like Jokinen can take advantage of being THE guy on a team like Nashville, whereas on most others, he wouldn't be anymore.

Realistically, I see him putting up 55 or so. But, don't be surprised if he has a comeback type of year. It's not too often you get the chance to be the #1 center on a team and potentially wreap the benefits of more touches and ice-time.
- Flyers_V88

He was already getting top 6 ice time in Winnipeg. Meaning his ice time isn't going up by much, but his quality of competition is, suddenly facing top defenders & defensive forwards. He has been slowing down, there is a reason he is a couple years removed from scoring 60+ points, so while it is possible he turns that around, it is far more likely he continues to play at the level he has been at the last couple years.