Paul McCann: Fifteen and Fifteen

I expect a little uneven play from the Preds the next couple of weeks. Laviolette is resting guys and mixing up the lines and D pairs. That is going to create some timing issues, coverage gaps, and the occasional odd-man rush. It happens.

But the rotating rest and maintenance days for key players is worth some uneven play and even a few losses if necessary to be ready for the playoffs. If they play .500 hockey, they are all but guaranteed to have home ice advantage in the West. Might even have a shot at the President's trophy with 6 more wins or so.

I do expect Lavy to set the playoff pairs and line combos the last 2-3 games, especially if home ice or the President's trophy is on the line. That'll give them something to play for, and a good primer for the playoff run.

Oh, and it's nice to see that most of the NHL media are now coming around and calling Rinne the front-runner for the Vezina. Any goalie that's in the top-2 in every meaningful statistical category & leads in win %, quality starts & shutouts, should be a shoe-in.

If Rinne does not win the Vezina Nashville will never win a Writer voted award. Weber should have had one to two Norris trophies and would have had in played his prime in a northeastern city.

If Rinne does not win the Vezina Nashville will never win a Writer voted award. Weber should have had one to two Norris trophies and would have had in played his prime in a northeastern city.
- VopatsRash

Fortunately for Rinne, the GM's vote on the Vezina. While there is always going to be politics and bias in any award voting, it seems like the Vezina usually goes to the right person most years.

Weber fell victim to writer bias in the 2011 Norris Trophy. He was better than Lidstrom, but the writers decided to make it a career achievement award that year. The following year, Weber probably also deserved it. In fact I remember some saying that Rinne didn't win the Vezina in 2012 because he had such a great Dman like Weber playing in front of him. Just so happens the writers got offensive numbers happy in 2012. Karlsson is a great D-man, but in 2012, his actual defensive stats were not great. He was basically used by Ottawa that year as a 4th forward, rarely taking Dzone starts, and almost never played on the PK.

Fortunately for Rinne, the GM's vote on the Vezina. While there is always going to be politics and bias in any award voting, it seems like the Vezina usually goes to the right person most years.

Weber fell victim to writer bias in the 2011 Norris Trophy. He was better than Lidstrom, but the writers decided to make it a career achievement award that year. The following year, Weber probably also deserved it. In fact I remember some saying that Rinne didn't win the Vezina in 2012 because he had such a great Dman like Weber playing in front of him. Just so happens the writers got offensive numbers happy in 2012. Karlsson is a great D-man, but in 2012, his actual defensive stats were not great. He was basically used by Ottawa that year as a 4th forward, rarely taking Dzone starts, and almost never played on the PK.
- holycow_75

I didn't realize it was voted on by the GMs. That's great. I think his chances are much better than I thought.

Someone needs to do a voodoo dance to prevent this team from eating bad soup, catching the flu, anyone getting hurt and any one getting into a bar fight or chasing blue hairs....

Query: IF Eeli Tolvanen is available where you put him in? Also, could it effect team chemistry, since you would be sending down a guy who has played most of the year?
Also, anyone seen our former National Anthem singer Dennis K. Morgan ????

and has anyone seen my keys.

Query: IF Eeli Tolvanen is available where you put him in? Also, could it effect team chemistry, since you would be sending down a guy who has played most of the year?
Also, anyone seen our former National Anthem singer Dennis K. Morgan ????
- PREDX1

Expanded roster after trade deadline so Preds won't have to send anyone down. However, would have to sit someone but that maintenance rotation is working well at the moment so no worries now. It will be a different story once post-season play begins.

Would be much better to get Tolvanen here before the playoffs begin. He could be slotted in a for game or two during the regular season to see how he fits. If he doesn't arrive until after the playoffs have started, I don't see him playing, barring injuries or a severe breakdown in team play.