John Jaeckel: Hats Off In Nashville

Looking forward to tomorrow's game. Anybody making the trip down?

Blog is spot on JJ, nice work.

Also, Ben Smith. WOW. Love the guy. He reminds me of a stronger Kruger. Skates really well even if he's not a burner, has decent hands, is very strong for his size, and plays heady. The Hawks need to lock this guy up for the long term over Shaw, Versteeg et el.
- Bjm84

Great PK specialist as well. But over Shaw? Yes Smith is great 4th liner. Not so much as top 9 player though.

Why can't we wait until a quarter of the season has gone before we break up this team?

They are 4-1-1 through 6 games - against bad competition? Well....


- StLBravesFan

But it is already 6 games've been played with only 4 wins. So someone for sure should be responsible and Bickell's name should be on everyone's "tradeblock", "front door", etc.

«If you’re looking for issues, there is a legitimate question how much Brad Richards really has left in the tank.» Picked him up over datsyuk in my pool. The only pick I don't like.

But it is already 6 games've been played with only 4 wins. So someone for sure should be responsible and Bickell's name should be on everyone's "tradeblock", "front door", etc.
- Uncheckable21

«If you’re looking for issues, there is a legitimate question how much Brad Richards really has left in the tank.» Picked him up over datsyuk in my pool. The only pick I don't like.
- deadpoulet

Over Datsyuk???? Drunk?

Good write up, JJ. Hey, the Preds are looking scary this year with thier improvements to the offense. Forsberg is nasty on the ice. He's fun to watch. It never hurts when you have good defense and the tandem of Pekka/Hutton in net. Good for Nashville.
I thought Raanta played fine, honestly. People like to instantly dog the goalie. He made some tough saves. SOme want blame him for the rebound goal, but rebounds happen. NO goalie is going to soak up every shot and not give up a rebound or two in a game. Neal was in the right place at the right time. It happens.

I hope people don't pile on Raanta. I thought he was really strong - especially in the first period. The Preds could've easily been up 2 goals before Ben Smith scored, as the Hawks came out a little flat the Preds got lots of sustained pressure in the first.

That said, as a Preds fan, the Hawks are a very dangerous team. Pekka Rinne had a great performance, the Preds got a hat trick, and still BARELY beat the Hawks at home. Nashville has clearly improved & has a legitimate first line. But the job the Gaustad line did last night neutralizing Toews' line was maybe the biggest factor in the outcome.

Still...ask any Preds fan...no lead is ever comfortable against the Hawks. The Richards question is a fair one, but I've heard people dogging Hossa too, and I thought he was one of the more dangerous offensive players last night. So maybe it's too early to tell anything yet.

I hope people don't pile on Raanta. I thought he was really strong - especially in the first period. The Preds could've easily been up 2 goals before Ben Smith scored, as the Hawks came out a little flat the Preds got lots of sustained pressure in the first.

That said, as a Preds fan, the Hawks are a very dangerous team. Pekka Rinne had a great performance, the Preds got a hat trick, and still BARELY beat the Hawks at home. Nashville has clearly improved & has a legitimate first line. But the job the Gaustad line did last night neutralizing Toews' line was maybe the biggest factor in the outcome.

Still...ask any Preds fan...no lead is ever comfortable against the Hawks. The Richards question is a fair one, but I've heard people dogging Hossa too, and I thought he was one of the more dangerous offensive players last night. So maybe it's too early to tell anything yet.
- holycow_75

The Toews line hasnt really lit up the scoreboard yet this season so i dont know if that statement is completely true

Over Datsyuk???? Drunk?
- BlazinMike

He was injuried and everybody in my pool backed off. Only played 45 games last season. Who knows how many he will play this year. And he's 36.

I expected Richards to play on the 2nd line with Kane. Can still replace him by Skinner or Elias.

So maybe there might be some classic Joel Quenneville line shuffling on the way.
- John Jaeckel

Bickell-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Richards-Hossa

I'd like to see that tried at some point.

Great PK specialist as well. But over Shaw? Yes Smith is great 4th liner. Not so much as top 9 player though.
- Uncheckable21

I'd keep Smith over Shaw because a) better on the penalty kill and on the boards b) plays a more cerebral game and c) his game and body is built to last longer(stocky and strong at 5'11 200 lbs).

Shaw skates around like an animal, crashing and crunching in the dirty areas, which this team needs. However, he's 22 and his body can absorb the punishment now. But do you really think the 175-180 lb Shaw is going to be able to maintain that style of play as he approaches 30? No way. If Shaw were to stick around on a cap friendly deal then I would love to have him but some other team will overpay to get him.

The Hawks have players that can replace the Shaw's of the world in DaNault, Ross, Hartman, etc.

>JJ, well said
>In a 82 game regular season, some team efforts just won't be up to par
>Regarding the Toews line, they seem do the exact same thing every possession:
try to work a play from some sort of cycle that begins below the goal line -- to me, they need to create more shots off the rush and create more shots, period
>When is the last time a forward on the Toews line did a drop pass to another forward on the Toews line?
>As good as the Hawk D was against the Flyers, they were that bad against the Preds
>Regarding Richards, it's one thing to be slow, it's quite another to add to it with stupid plays with the puck

He was injuried and everybody in my pool backed off. Only played 45 games last season. Who knows how many he will play this year. And he's 36.

I expected Richards to play on the 2nd line with Kane. Can still replace him by Skinner or Elias.
- deadpoulet

Still though. He is the magic man

Over Datsyuk???? Drunk?
- BlazinMike

I never would have taken Richards over Datsyuk.

That said, I'm still holding onto Richards in one of my leagues that has a deep bench. I really did consider dropping him to play the waiver wire this morning.

The Toews line hasnt really lit up the scoreboard yet this season so i dont know if that statement is completely true
- BlazinMike

From a Preds' fan perspective, Toews is always dangerous, but I can see where his line hasn't been performing up to expectations (especially on the score sheet).

I would say that Hossa, Shaw & Kane have had the most success against the Preds the last few years - and you can probably add Kruger to that list too for some reason. But perhaps because Toews got the SH game winner last weekend, it seemed more important to shut him down this game!

Bickell-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Richards-Hossa

I'd like to see that tried at some point.
- EKolb13

For a period of time longer than couple of shifts

Bickell-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Richards-Hossa

I'd like to see that tried at some point.
- EKolb13

This only works if Bickel actually takes the puck to the net instead of passing it off all the time.

I'd keep Smith over Shaw because a) better on the penalty kill and on the boards b) plays a more cerebral game and c) his game and body is built to last longer(stocky and strong at 5'11 200 lbs).

Shaw skates around like an animal, crashing and crunching in the dirty areas, which this team needs. However, he's 22 and his body can absorb the punishment now. But do you really think the 175-180 lb Shaw is going to be able to maintain that style of play as he approaches 30? No way. If Shaw were to stick around on a cap friendly deal then I would love to have him but some other team will overpay to get him.

The Hawks have players that can replace the Shaw's of the world in DaNault, Ross, Hartman, etc.
- Bjm84

Who knows. 8 years is long time period to predict something. Smith usually has his fair share of beating too. And Shawzer provides great PP net front presense. Right now i think Shawser is more important player for them. Smith can be expensive too.

- CBHawks88

Disagreement means you're kool-aid drinker

This only works if Bickel actually takes the puck to the net instead of passing it off all the time.
- Bjm84

Bickell has an extra bounce in his step when he's paired with them.

I'd like to see those top two lines as well.

Who knows. 8 years is long time period to predict something. Smith usually has his fair share of beating too. And Shawzer provides great PP net front presense. Right now i think Shawser is more important player for them. Smith can be expensive too.
- Uncheckable21

I feel as though Smith plays the front of the net nicely, as well. There is no denying that Smith is stronger and more sturdily built than Shaw is, too.

Bickell has an extra bounce in his step when he's paired with them.

I'd like to see those top two lines as well.
- vabeachbear

Touche.