Paul McCann: Centers Centers Everywhere! Preds sign two...

Preds are a good average team this season.

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Gaustad-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

I probably have a couple guys out of position in that lineup. But, that's a better team than the Preds fielded last year. Not sure it's a playoff team. But it's better on paper. For the dollar value Poile is getting & the fact that Nashville was never going to get a Vanek or Stastny in free agency, I will give Poile a solid B+ for this offseason so far.

I'm wondering if he plans on making another move to bring in a natural winger & thin the herd at Center. Maybe trading Wilson? I can't see him being able to get rid of Gaustad's contract & Goose has some value as a veteran faceoff man.

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal is the closest thing to an NHL first line that Nashville's had in almost 10 years.

I like the Ribeiro signing. He should work well with Neal. The Roy signing is fine at the price, but I wouldn't expect much more than 3rd line production from him.

There definitely is a trade coming.

There definitely is a trade coming.
- ProudestMonkey

You were supposed to take VL

I think those lines look about right. I think this team will surprise a lot of people. I actually think across the board we are better than Lavi's cup team and the Flyers finals team. His system makes offensive players better and he has never had Dmen this good nor an elite goalie. I am really excited.

I like the Ribeiro signing. He should work well with Neal. The Roy signing is fine at the price, but I wouldn't expect much more than 3rd line production from him.
- cranktheradio

I second this, although if Roy is playing on more of a grinding line then he will be even more frustrating. For $1M though, he's definitely worth a shot. The Blues took the same shot last year for four times that amount of money.

Ribeiro at least has recent history of producing on the ice. If he becomes an issue off the ice, they can just ship him out or keep him away from the rink without losing much money.

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Gaustad-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

I probably have a couple guys out of position in that lineup. But, that's a better team than the Preds fielded last year. Not sure it's a playoff team. But it's better on paper. For the dollar value Poile is getting & the fact that Nashville was never going to get a Vanek or Stastny in free agency, I will give Poile a solid B+ for this offseason so far.

I'm wondering if he plans on making another move to bring in a natural winger & thin the herd at Center. Maybe trading Wilson? I can't see him being able to get rid of Gaustad's contract & Goose has some value as a veteran faceoff man.

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal is the closest thing to an NHL first line that Nashville's had in almost 10 years.
- holycow_75

This post is pretty much spot on as an evaluation.

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Lecavalier-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Ribeiro-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

I probably have a couple guys out of position in that lineup. But, that's a better team than the Preds fielded last year. Not sure it's a playoff team. But it's better on paper. For the dollar value Poile is getting & the fact that Nashville was never going to get a Vanek or Stastny in free agency, I will give Poile a solid B+ for this offseason so far.

I'm wondering if he plans on making another move to bring in a natural winger & thin the herd at Center. Maybe trading Wilson? I can't see him being able to get rid of Gaustad's contract & Goose has some value as a veteran faceoff man.

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal is the closest thing to an NHL first line that Nashville's had in almost 10 years.
- holycow_75

ftfy

From Poile in the Ribeiro presser: "if Mike gets a chance to play with Neal, Derek will get a chance to play with Smith"

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Gaustad-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

- holycow_75

Poile just stated that Jarnkrok will likely center the 3rd line. I'd also expect Smith and Neal to be on different lines to spread out the snipers.

To bad Trotz isn't still here, just think how quick it would be before he benches them.

If those forwards can produce just an average amount of goals, I think they have a shot. A healthy Rinne playing behind that D is not something I would wanna face in the playoffs

Solid high reward signing. But I can't believe jokinen getting twice the money, he's just aweful.

Fist hand experience with both.
Roy sucks
Ribs is a good playmaker and should click with Neal. His only downfall is his extending of shifts and horrendous turnovers.

It's like poile channeled my be a GM mode mindset

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Gaustad-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

I probably have a couple guys out of position in that lineup. But, that's a better team than the Preds fielded last year. Not sure it's a playoff team. But it's better on paper. For the dollar value Poile is getting & the fact that Nashville was never going to get a Vanek or Stastny in free agency, I will give Poile a solid B+ for this offseason so far.

I'm wondering if he plans on making another move to bring in a natural winger & thin the herd at Center. Maybe trading Wilson? I can't see him being able to get rid of Gaustad's contract & Goose has some value as a veteran faceoff man.

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal is the closest thing to an NHL first line that Nashville's had in almost 10 years.
- holycow_75

Jokinen at this stage in his career is more of a 3rd line centre. Roy would be second line centre. Not bad set up though. Everyone seems to be following the Boston model of trying to have 4 close to equal lines or 3 equal lines and grinding 4th.

Bringing in used up Vets instead of rushing your kids is a good play. If they aren't ready for the NHL it's better to get them quality ice time in the minors rather than fourth line/press box minutes in the NHL.

Ok - so the new lineup is something like:

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal
Wilson-Jokinen-Jarnkrok
Cullen-Roy-Stalberg
Forsberg-Gaustad-Nystrom

Weber-Josi
Jones-Volchenkov
Ellis-Eckholm

Reserve:
Clune, Borque, Fisher(IR), Bartley

I probably have a couple guys out of position in that lineup. But, that's a better team than the Preds fielded last year. Not sure it's a playoff team. But it's better on paper. For the dollar value Poile is getting & the fact that Nashville was never going to get a Vanek or Stastny in free agency, I will give Poile a solid B+ for this offseason so far.

I'm wondering if he plans on making another move to bring in a natural winger & thin the herd at Center. Maybe trading Wilson? I can't see him being able to get rid of Gaustad's contract & Goose has some value as a veteran faceoff man.

Smith-Ribeiro-Neal is the closest thing to an NHL first line that Nashville's had in almost 10 years.
- holycow_75

Forsberg does not play the 4th line. Waste of a promising young player

To bad Trotz isn't still here, just think how quick it would be before he benches them.
- PREDX1

If Trotz were still here we'd never have acquired any of these guys. Trotz likes grit and sandpaper. He likes guys who drop the gloves. These are Laviolette's guys. The big difference in our coaches is showing in Poile's acquisitions.

Forsberg does not play the 4th line. Waste of a promising young player
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Forsberg most likely starts in Milwaukee.

Nice column Paul.
Thanks

You were supposed to take VL
- flyerfan28

You were supposed to eat his salary