I actually think Rads has played a pretty solid game. He is far and away a better offensive talent then Wilson, and there is no way he gets benched in the playoffs. If you did that why bring him back at all? There have to be other contributing factors to the benching, however I think this is becoming more personal and Trotz is taking to hard of a stand.
- PredsFan8

I wouldnt say far and away a better offensive talent. Rads is probably better but both are good playing their own game. Wilson has the big body and skates really well and takes others off the puck. Rads wont get benched I know. I guess I went a touch too far but was getting to the point he better play def or he could be sitting right next to Wilson. And yes it is probably an attitude issue that is prohibiting Wilson. Its a shame. I do think Trotz and Poile are playing that "Im the last word" card which is what it is. All of us have opinions and thats all they are since we all dont know what the real reasons are. We do know however that Wilson is top 3 in talent on this current team. A young offensive forward like a Hartnell. Hows he is doing in Philly? Howd Upshall do in Pho? Ryan Jones? Peverley? Santorelli for gods sake. Ok Im not ranting. Think Ive made my point about Wilson. Tough love thing from trotz but again I will reiterate this, if the Preds want to go far in the playoffs they best be smart and let Wilson play. perhaps a matchup in the next round would help. Yip?! Come on now. He hustles as does Hustlechuck, Spaling, et al.

Or Peverly, lets face it, Trotz does not know how to deal with a true offensive talent. How many talented offensive guys have we lost that have gone on to make an impact somewhere else. I think outside of Rads, Wilson has the most upside of any forward we have. The problem is trotz does not know how to utilize that
- tshafer

That's funny. But not true.

Every NHL team has lost, traded away, given up on, etc hundreds of good players that have gone on to success elsewhere. Just pick an NHL team and start an in-depth analysis of current roster players to see just how pervasive that is. That's the way it is in the league. But to say Trotz doesn't know how to deal true offensive talent is factually incorrect and borders on silliness.

Upshall.

I think this guy might have an argument to that statement...


- PredsFan95

We do finally have the depth which is crazy. Borque is antti philstom 2.0 but with offensive capabilities. Ok so maybe not a good comparison. Ha. Gabby is great but hes not quite as good as Wilson, yet. Unfortunately we wont see Wilsons potential here. Thats one frustrating thing w Trotz is he does limit our weapons. We are a def team from Rinne to Weber/Suter on up. Thats why Im a little worried with Rads too. I sure hope Trotz doesnt kill his fire. We have all the weapons. Theyre pros so let them play themselves a bit. Kinda like a Lute Olson coach in that he rolls the ball out and lets them go. (I went to Zona btw). There are times to coach/manage/teach but also times to let these guys play. This is the team including Wilson, hopefully in the next round that allows him to be freed.

We do finally have the depth which is crazy. Borque is antti philstom 2.0 but with offensive capabilities. Ok so maybe not a good comparison. Ha. Gabby is great but hes not quite as good as Wilson, yet. Unfortunately we wont see Wilsons potential here. Thats one frustrating thing w Trotz is he does limit our weapons. We are a def team from Rinne to Weber/Suter on up. Thats why Im a little worried with Rads too. I sure hope Trotz doesnt kill his fire. We have all the weapons. Theyre pros so let them play themselves a bit. Kinda like a Lute Olson coach in that he rolls the ball out and lets them go. (I went to Zona btw). There are times to coach/manage/teach but also times to let these guys play. This is the team including Wilson, hopefully in the next round that allows him to be freed.
- ajs3677

We'll see. I go by the standing order of if it ain't broke don't fix it. They guys we have in are getting the job done. If not and their game goes to poop, we have a lot of talent ready to go and that will be hungry to prove their worth. The only sub I would make at this point is Gill for Ellis. Nothing against Ellis, but Gill is twice his size. Literally. We need a big body to clear the net in front of Peks.

That's funny. But not true.

Every NHL team has lost, traded away, given up on, etc hundreds of good players that have gone on to success elsewhere. Just pick an NHL team and start an in-depth analysis of current roster players to see just how pervasive that is. That's the way it is in the league. But to say Trotz doesn't know how to deal true offensive talent is factually incorrect and borders on silliness.
- blueline

We'll see. I go by the standing order of if it ain't broke don't fix it. They guys we have in are getting the job done. If not and their game goes to poop, we have a lot of talent ready to go and that will be hungry to prove their worth. The only sub I would make at this point is Gill for Ellis. Nothing against Ellis, but Gill is twice his size. Literally. We need a big body to clear the net in front of Peks.
- PredsFan95

I agree that Gill needs to go in once hes 100% healthy. Id sit Frankie and have Hillen/Ellis playing. Ellis on the pp and Hillen on 3rd line spot duty. I see the point about if it aint broken...however just cause we are up 3-1 doesnt mean its all working, at all. The shots against are killing us (perhaps helping Rinne himself stay focused). I know his record w 35+ shots. Its our scoring too that ISNT working. We have gotten a ton of bounces. We still need to score a lot more and be in their zone a lot more. I recall the past 2 games watching the third period holding my breath almost the whole period. it looked like we were killing 10-15 min power plays. It was pathetic really. hence having a Wilson in with his big body and puck skills. We have to control the puck more and be in their zone way more, especially in the 3rd periods. We wont win much if at all if it all stays the same way. I hope the Preds arent just spewing coach speak about playing harder, being motivated etc. We will see tomorrow.

That's funny. But not true.

Every NHL team has lost, traded away, given up on, etc hundreds of good players that have gone on to success elsewhere. Just pick an NHL team and start an in-depth analysis of current roster players to see just how pervasive that is. That's the way it is in the league. But to say Trotz doesn't know how to deal true offensive talent is factually incorrect and borders on silliness.
- blueline

Then show me a player that we have taken from a young talented forward and groomed them into a scorer?

The only one I can think of is horny and he had to spend a couple of years of having his minutes cut to almost nothing even though he was our top goal scorer. So I would say he was not groomed but overcame the system.

I agree that Gill needs to go in once hes 100% healthy. Id sit Frankie and have Hillen/Ellis playing. Ellis on the pp and Hillen on 3rd line spot duty. I see the point about if it aint broken...
- ajs3677

I respectfully disagree.
Gil > Hillen and Ellis
SK can play point on PP2 with Josi

I respectfully disagree.
Gil > Hillen and Ellis
SK can play point on PP2 with Josi
- benderboots

I said Gill in once hes healthy. Of course he is better than Hillen, Ellis and Frankie. Hillen/Ellis > Frankie. SK has one pt which was that goal the other night.

I agree that Gill needs to go in once hes 100% healthy. Id sit Frankie and have Hillen/Ellis playing. Ellis on the pp and Hillen on 3rd line spot duty. I see the point about if it aint broken...however just cause we are up 3-1 doesnt mean its all working, at all. The shots against are killing us (perhaps helping Rinne himself stay focused). I know his record w 35+ shots. Its our scoring too that ISNT working. We have gotten a ton of bounces. We still need to score a lot more and be in their zone a lot more. I recall the past 2 games watching the third period holding my breath almost the whole period. it looked like we were killing 10-15 min power plays. It was pathetic really. hence having a Wilson in with his big body and puck skills. We have to control the puck more and be in their zone way more, especially in the 3rd periods. We wont win much if at all if it all stays the same way. I hope the Preds arent just spewing coach speak about playing harder, being motivated etc. We will see tomorrow.
- ajs3677

Hmmmm...yes and no. Rinne has been stellar and i don't want to take anything away from his game, however the Red Wings M.O. is to throw everything on net. They may have been outshooting us, but alot of those shots were just tossed on net. Stevie Wonder could have stopped them. Not to mention all the terrible angles... The Preds have won those three games on gritty goals and wearing the Wings down. I think D said it the other day, we are the best rope-a-dope team in the league. Our defense has done a great job of boxing them out and not giving them too many open opportunites. When they do get those opportunities, Peks has been there to cover for their mistakes.

I'm also not saying that what we are doing is pretty, but it is working. Lets face it: we aren't gonna beat them in the possesion game. What we can do better, imo, is outwork them in the corners, force them to the outside, and make them dump the puck in more. The more face to face time our boys get with the fools in red, the more frustrated they will get. They want open ice to maneuver and set up a scoring chance? Put a body on them and force them to cycle the puck down to one of our D men. The one thing we shouldn't do is try to beat them at their own game. We need to play our game and it will work. Hence, a 3-1 series lead.

IMO Wilson is traded before the draft because we all know he will not resign after next season. he has played 150/165 regular season games for the preds over the past 2 years and 3/15 over this year and last.
I always thought Wilson was a "Core player"
DP and Trotz are literally all in on winning the cup this year even risking the future of Wilson as a Predator.

I respectfully disagree.
Gil > Hillen and Ellis
SK can play point on PP2 with Josi
- benderboots

That didn't fare so well when we tried putting Sully back there. I think we should give Klein a shot. God knows he's earned it.

I said Gill in once hes healthy. Of course he is better than Hillen, Ellis and Frankie. Hillen/Ellis > Frankie. SK has one pt which was that goal the other night.
- ajs3677

I read it as once Big Hal Gill is healthy, BT sit Frankie and play Hillen or Ellis instead of Frankie. Apologies.

Hillen/Ellis greater than Frankie???

That didn't fare so well when we tried putting Sully back there. I think we should give Klein a shot. God knows he's earned it.
- PredsFan95

Sully and SK are completely different players. SK moves the puck well.

Klein should be blocking shots on the PK, dumping the puck, battling in the corner and getting a line change. Klein should not be on the PP, he can't make tape to tape passes. He played 2 good games in the last season (exaggerating...)

Anyone ever stop to think why the ef is Klein on a rush with Erat anyway?

Sully and SK are completely different players. SK moves the puck well.

Klein should be blocking shots on the PK, dumping the puck, battling in the corner and getting a line change. Klein should not be on the PP, he can't make tape to tape passes. He played 2 good games in the last season (exaggerating...)

Anyone ever stop to think why the ef is Klein on a rush with Erat anyway?
- benderboots

Sully moved the puck well too. And I don't have an argument as to what Klein should be doing. However, he is stepping up big right now. Much like Bourque. Play the hot hand. He is obviously feeling good and confident about his game. Give him a shot. Like i said, he's earned it.

I read it as once Big Hal Gill is healthy, BT sit Frankie and play Hillen or Ellis instead of Frankie. Apologies.

Hillen/Ellis greater than Frankie???
- benderboots

Ahh no worries. Honestly, yeah I think Frankie has past his time playing def. He has had some timely goals which are nice but he is making soo many tootoo passed in our zone that are almost landing in our net or at the very least leading to many great chances for them. Hillen isnt the answer I know but perhaps one game to fire him back up to pay attention to the detail that Wilson and Smith are needing too.

Then show me a player that we have taken from a young talented forward and groomed them into a scorer?

The only one I can think of is horny and he had to spend a couple of years of having his minutes cut to almost nothing even though he was our top goal scorer. So I would say he was not groomed but overcame the system.
- tshafer

You don't do a lot of grooming of elite high-end scorers. They have God-given talent and were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to realize that talent. Stamkos had a hell of a year. Would you rather be the Lightning this season? If you want to blame someone, then blame Poile for not dfafting a Stamkos type player, but that's a bit silly too as you well know.

I'll take the culture of winning and the consistency that we have built here any and every day over being a fish-crap, bottom-feeding team hoping to win the 1st-rd draft choice every year.

Preds had 11 skaters in double-digit scoring this year for regular season. Only a couple of other teams matched that number (Wings & Flyers I believe). We ended up 8th in total goals scored/avg goals per game. I am not the biggest Trotz/Poile acolyte but so far they've done and continue to do a hell of a job. The statement that Trotz can't coach offensive talent is just an opinion - a misplaced one I might add.

My peanut gallery opinion is that there are deeper issues with Wilson that extend beyond physical abilities or attributes.

Think about it - Trotz, Poile, et al want nothing more than to win, so they are not keeping Wilson on the sidelines out of spite or indifference. There is a valid reason (or multiple valid reasons) that are not being shared publicly. Right or wrong, you can bet that all of the key decision makers are on board with that.
- blueline

It seems you always support the powers that be.
There may be another reason but we've seem players get in BT's dog house
before for unknown personal reasons and I'm afraid Wilson is there. We need his scoring and his energy. He deserves a shot THE SECOND PLAYOFF SEASON for heaven's sake!

IMO Wilson is traded before the draft because we all know he will not resign after next season. he has played 150/165 regular season games for the preds over the past 2 years and 3/15 over this year and last.
I always thought Wilson was a "Core player"
DP and Trotz are literally all in on winning the cup this year even risking the future of Wilson as a Predator.
- benderboots

He's an RFA so I imagine he will remain a Preds unless a deal happens our way.

It seems you always support the powers that be.
There may be another reason but we've seem players get in BT's dog house
before for unknown personal reasons and I'm afraid Wilson is there. We need his scoring and his energy. He deserves a shot THE SECOND PLAYOFF SEASON for heaven's sake!
- playhockey

Not if there is a bigger problem. Common sense doesn't match sitting him solely out of spite.

It seems you always support the powers that be.
There may be another reason but we've seem players get in BT's dog house
before for unknown personal reasons and I'm afraid Wilson is there. We need his scoring and his energy. He deserves a shot THE SECOND PLAYOFF SEASON for heaven's sake!
- playhockey

Look, I like Wilson and have been one of the ones questioning why he's been benched. But sooner or later you have to think that there might be more going on that we don't know about. Spitefulness by Trotz is not part of the Wilson picture, imo.

Besides, let me repeat - I'll take the culture of winning. Period.

When was the last time Detroit lost two consecutive playoff games in their arena?

I tend to think the extended break between games 4 and 5 helps the Red Wings more than the Preds. The break eases the wearing down effect of youth over statesmen. Everyone in the world knows the Wings will come with everything they have what we don't know is if Nashville will be ready to respond and play their best game of the series. There will be nerves borne out of expectation, the situation and from the energy in the building so am hoping for an early goal or even a fight between 2 unlikely foes to get our guys settled down.

When was the last time Detroit lost two consecutive playoff games in their arena?
- blueline

Exactly!!!

All this team has done is win 2 playoff games in a row at the Joe (which they've never done before), take a 3-1 series lead (which they've never done before) over Detroit (also something they've never done before) and all some people can do is b!tch because a spoiled crybaby with a sense of entitlement isn't getting to play?! Geez!

I thought Wilson was going to be a great player too; but, he obviously has some issues that prevent him from deserving to play. I trust Trotz's and Poile's perspective on this above all else. They know the whole story and are better suited to make this call than anyone in the media or on internet message boards.

And just because we've lost players like Peverly, Santorelli, or Jones; how has that hurt us? All of those guys are just role players on their respective teams, none have moved on and become a superstar sniper or anything. I mean, we had the #1 PP, #8 offense, and secured the #4 seed in the West this year and are on the verge of eliminating Detroit and moving on to the 2nd round for the second year in a row! What is there to be unhappy about?