Hockey time in Tennessee is quickly approaching, and we will finally have the opportunity to view this revolutionized Preds team in action. I have read your comments and understand the frustration, confusion, or indifference with both the team in addition to the lack of writing the last month and a half. Since the Expansion Draft and absent a few anticipated signings, there really has not been much news from 500 Broadway that I found to be substantively impactful for the current situation the Preds find themselves in. For better or for worse? Only time will tell. But with training camp and pre-season underway and the opening night versus the Seattle Kraken on October 14, speculation will soon turn to reality. I remain quite optimistic but where this optimism will lead remains unknown. On paper this team is mehh with Vegas predicting the Preds to finish with 84.5 points for the season and seventh in the Central Division, only over the new Central Division Arizona Coyotes. However, the on paper mehh also comes along with some bona fide players like Duchene, Johansen, Forsberg, Josi, and others (save your personal thoughts on these for now). On the other hand, there is a wide-open gap for young players to fill the roles and take advantage of the chances they are given. The latter of which consume a large part of the roster that will keep them fighting night in, night out.
But predictions are predictions and it is for the players to decide the reality of these pre-season numbers because that’s all they are, pre-season speculation that I genuinely do not give much attention to. The Central will undoubtedly be a tough division, not necessarily for its strength across the NHL but because of the rivalries, parity, and grit. This year Colorado is the pre-season Cup favorite (surprise surprise), Chicago and Minnesota are on the move with Chicago making big signings and Minnesota looking to be on the rise last season. Everyone has Arizona as being horrible, but this team has always had the Preds number and I never like writing off a team just because. This is the NHL and every game matters with no game being easy. As for Dallas, Winnipeg, and St Louis . . . there really is no telling, which is what makes this division so interesting. Dallas should return to its Cup-running standards with last year being a bizarre concurrence of events for them. One thing is for certain though about this season, I cannot wait. Fans are back in full force almost uniformly across the league, a full season is underway, and hockey as we know it is returning (and holding my breath we see no more bumps in the road).
In short, I dislike the way everyone across different platforms is saying Vegas says this or Vegas says that. We get it, “the Preds are going to be horrible… . . . so they say. Granted, I am big into sports betting and find the precision of which these entities prognosticate futures to be incredible and a fascinating exercise to dive deeper into, but I find this team to have more than what we’ve seen. Last year’s playoffs proved this to be the case. It feels like Hynes and this team have been together for an eternity. But remember what I have said previously, this is Hynes’ first training camp and genuine offseason with this organization. How crazy is that? This isn’t me reading the crystal ball with gold-tinted glasses either. I’ll be the first to tell you when I find the situation to be distasteful or untenable. But we need data to assess before we hit the panic button prior to the first puck drop. Let’s take a step back, tell all the speculators to take a hike, grab a beer, and enjoy the show. There will undoubtedly be some ups and downs, but let’s see what the plan is before we establish any self-fulfilling prophecies that make this team doomed for failure before they even lace up the skates.
As for the on-ice product, I’ll be attending my first game of the season tonight, October 2, when the Preds take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in their pre-season matchup. I’ll be in the stands with pen and paper ready to bring you analysis of what I see. The closer we get to the start of the season, the more we can see a system developing contrary to rookie and development camps where many are attempting to prove themselves individually and we are unable to see a genuine team game. The season is quickly approaching, meaning an opening night roster is imminent with only three pre-season games remaining (October 2 against Tampa Bay, October 5 and 9 against Carolina). This also means more consistent analysis for all of you dedicated Preds fans. I know what it’s like to have difficulty finding information on a consistent basis about your favorite team. I’ll deliver going forward but with data not speculation.
I’ll be back with my analysis of tonight’s game and let you all know my thoughts. There are some good players in the pipeline, but I will focus intently on those I believe we will realistically see in gold this year. When there’s substantive news, I’ll be here so do not worry about that. The period between late July after the draft and late September, early October are ordinarily quite dead in the hockey world but it's October now! I understand the concerns for painting articles in gold. Believe me when I say, it won’t happen. I have plenty of gripes to go around, but I'll save those for now.
Cheers to another NHL season. October is when the party starts. Talk soon.