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.
- blueline

I think you are trying to turn this argument into something it is not. I think trotz does an amazing job getting the most out of his players, getting them to play a team game, and give outstanding defense. All i am saying is he does not know how to work with a guy that is a true offensive talent. Please read that as talent, at no point am i refering to one of the few truly elite scorers in the league. But how often in our history have we had a 30 goal scorer? I do not know the exact number but it is not more then a handful. Are you telling me in the last decade and a half we have not drafted enoug talent to get a consistent 30 goal scorer

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?
- preds24

I totally agree with Blueline. Something must be fishy somewhere. Also, Willy is not a fit on 3rd or 4th line. I think he is the 7th top 6 forward. Of the six top liners, who would you kick out of the lineup to put in Willy? Maybe Leggy but Willy is not where the defensive presence that Leggy is. AK46, AR47 or SK74, I dont think you fool with Nashville's version of the Soviet Mafia. Just looks to me that BT is holding 33 in reserve in case someone (God forbid) gets dinged up. Then you will see 33.

I totally agree with Blueline. Something must be fishy somewhere. Also, Willy is not a fit on 3rd or 4th line. I think he is the 7th top 6 forward. Of the six top liners, who would you kick out of the lineup to put in Willy? Maybe Leggy but Willy is not where the defensive presence that Leggy is. AK46, AR47 or SK74, I dont think you fool with Nashville's version of the Soviet Mafia. Just looks to me that BT is holding 33 in reserve in case someone (God forbid) gets dinged up. Then you will see 33.
- im4preds

Agreed. I said a couple of weeks ago that Wilson isn't going to replace a Yip or Halischuck; that's not his game. To insert Wilson you have to take out one of the top 6, and I don't see who you take out. Like you said, if one of the top 6 go down, then Wilson will probably get his shot. Let's just hope Wilson can show he's a true pro and will be ready if that does happen.

Agreed. I said a couple of weeks ago that Wilson isn't going to replace a Yip or Halischuck; that's not his game. To insert Wilson you have to take out one of the top 6, and I don't see who you take out. Like you said, if one of the top 6 go down, then Wilson will probably get his shot. Let's just hope Wilson can show he's a true pro and will be ready if that does happen.
- preds24

I too think the top-6 quandary may be the biggest obstacle to inserting Wilson. (Assuming he doesn't have any continuing immature, whining, borderline head-case issues.)

I'd certainly not change the top 2 lines at this point just for the sake of a change. If/when his time comes during these playoffs (and it very well may come to pass), I hope he plays like we know he can. Maybe he just needs a bit more maturing, although at 22 it's getting well past time for that to happen.

Meanwhile, more serious matters at hand - Beat the Wings tomorrow night! Send a statement Preds! Show me a Big Pred W on the final score-sheet!

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?
- preds24

Trotz and Poile/Mgmt aren't always on the same page where the players are concerned. I remember several years ago when there was an open and heated dispute because Trotz didn't want to play a certain player. Management was pissed and saying that they didn't draft guys so that Trotz wouldn't play them.

That player was Alexander Radulov.

30-goal scorers? Let's see, there were 30 total who fit that category this season. 12 of those had 32 or fewer goals, so that's pretty near the elimination cusp. That leaves 18 with 33 or more.

However, back to the 30 with 30+, out of that batch, 15 players were on teams that featured 2 or more 30+ scorers. (There were two teams that had three 30+ scorers.) Three of the teams with two or more 30+ scorers didn't even make the playoffs. In addition to that, eight more teams with only one 30+ scorer didn't make the playoffs. So, out of the 30 players with 30 or more goals, 11 of the their teams didn't even make the post-season.

Of the remaining sixteen 30+ goal scorers, 10 of those players were on just four teams - SJS, Pit, NJD & Ott. So that leaves 6 players with 30 or more goals to spread between the remaining 12 teams that did make the playoffs. I guess those coaches can't coach offensive talent either. But the eleven teams who had at least one 30+ scorer but didn't make the playoffs have offensive dynamo coaches! Yowzah!

My point in the above useless set of numbers is a simple illustration - analyzing a coach's ability to coach and develop goal scorers based on a random number such as the number of 30+ goal scorers is an exercise in futility. It says almost nothing about a team 's ultimate success in the only thing that counts - wins and more wins.


One other thing - it's easier for others to more openly accept opinions when they are presented as such. Facts are concrete but even they can be distorted to fit an agenda. Opinions however, when offered as fact lose pretty much all of their credibility.

Of course what i offer up is opinion, just like everyone else on this board. I am not some nhl coach on this board incognito, i am a fan that is giving my observations. I thought that was fairly a given, but i guess not. I will be sure to start each post from here on out with "In my opinion......"

The one thing we can agree on is that the most important thing is the win. And i love how they are doing that. Can't wait to feel the crowd tomorrow night, it is going to be epic. Of course that is just my opinion

Of course what i offer up is opinion, just like everyone else on this board. I am not some nhl coach on this board incognito, i am a fan that is giving my observations. I thought that was fairly a given, but i guess not. I will be sure to start each post from here on out with "In my opinion......"

The one thing we can agree on is that the most important thing is the win. And i love how they are doing that. Can't wait to feel the crowd tomorrow night, it is going to be epic. Of course that is just my opinion
- tshafer

Don't take anything personal, this is a tough crowd sometimes. They just want you to agree with their opinions like mine on post #14!!!

Don't take anything personal, this is a tough crowd sometimes. They just want you to agree with their opinions like mine on post #14!!!
- slash&smash

Thanks! I am brand new to posting here but i have been reading this blog for years, so i know what you mean.

Don't take anything personal, this is a tough crowd sometimes. They just want you to agree with their opinions like mine on post #14!!!
- slash&smash

Still, we've been pretty good here about allowing people to have opinions.

Here is my concern about this upcoming game

When was the last time we beat the wings 3 times in a row? If we have to go back to the Joe and win a 3rd straight there?

Let's take thm out tomorrow

Trotz and Poile/Mgmt aren't always on the same page where the players are concerned. I remember several years ago when there was an open and heated dispute because Trotz didn't want to play a certain player. Management was pissed and saying that they didn't draft guys so that Trotz wouldn't play them.

That player was Alexander Radulov.
- Predaceous

I don't doubt you, you're always very accurate with what you post, but I don't remember a public dispute between Poile and Trotz. I guess there are some details of that era I have blocked from my memory banks.

Of course what i offer up is opinion, just like everyone else on this board. I am not some nhl coach on this board incognito, i am a fan that is giving my observations. I thought that was fairly a given, but i guess not. I will be sure to start each post from here on out with "In my opinion......"

The one thing we can agree on is that the most important thing is the win. And i love how they are doing that. Can't wait to feel the crowd tomorrow night, it is going to be epic. Of course that is just my opinion
- tshafer

Everyone is just offering their opinion here. You can't take it personally when someone else's opinion is different from yours. That's what makes it interesting. It would be pretty dull around here if everyone had the same opinion. It's good to hear different perspectives because it challenges you to back up your point of view, and on some rare occasions, possibly even change it.

Anyone has the right to come here and complain about whatever they want. I never said people can't complain, I just said I don't understand it and don't agree with it and gave some reasons why I feel that way. That's my opinion.

I don't doubt you, you're always very accurate with what you post, but I don't remember a public dispute between Poile and Trotz. I guess there are some details of that era I have blocked from my memory banks.
- preds24

Yeah, I don't recall hearing about anything ever occurring, at least not publicly between Trotz and Poile. It might have been inside and/or unattributable speculation but then again, D's memory is pretty good.

I'm sure Poile/Trotz have had their differences but if so they have managed to keep them quiet.

D, was that spat reported and were there quotes?

Still, we've been pretty good here about allowing people to have opinions.
- Predaceous

No misspelling and/or poor grammar however or the schoolmarm will whack your hand with her steel ruler.

So Chicago gets burned again in OT. Based on some of the goal-tending we're seeing in these playoffs, all I can say is we are certainly fortunate to have Pekka Rinne in net.

Better hope that he carries his mates again tomorrow night and that DayTwa doesn't figure out our big man. Continued help from the hockey gods would be most appreciated too. We can offer a sacrifice. I nominate D.

Still, we've been pretty good here about allowing people to have opinions.
- Predaceous

Totally agree that is why I only post comments here! Mainly smart ass ones and 10% of the time serious ones. I really was just trying to promote my opinion on post #14!!!

So Chicago gets burned again in OT. Based on some of the goal-tending we're seeing in these playoffs, all I can say is we are certainly fortunate to have Pekka Rinne in net.

Better hope that he carries his mates again tomorrow night and that DayTwa doesn't figure out our big man. Continued help from the hockey gods would be most appreciated too. We can offer a sacrifice. I nominate D.
- blueline

Gill is the wild card. Once he gets back in the line up, BT will be more on the attack. Who does Gill skate with Klein or Josi? Does Klein go back to the 3rd pairing after the past 4 games? Rolling Smith tomorrow night might be a nice wrinkle as well!

St. Louis-Nashville. Western Conference Final.

St. Louis-Nashville. Western Conference Final.
- Section106

Hope so, the Kings scare the poop out of me!

St. Louis-Nashville. Western Conference Final.
- Section106

I'm seeing that happen, too.

BTW--when are you making your playoff debut, bro?

I'm seeing that happen, too.

BTW--when are you making your playoff debut, bro?
- wings-suck

Hopefully the Phoenix Series...

I don't doubt you, you're always very accurate with what you post, but I don't remember a public dispute between Poile and Trotz. I guess there are some details of that era I have blocked from my memory banks.
- preds24

It wasn't between Poile and Trotz. It was between management and Trotz. I don't specifically remember Poile saying anything publicly. In fact, I believe the one who made those comments may have been Ed Lang.

Yeah, I don't recall hearing about anything ever occurring, at least not publicly between Trotz and Poile. It might have been inside and/or unattributable speculation but then again, D's memory is pretty good.

I'm sure Poile/Trotz have had their differences but if so they have managed to keep them quiet.

D, was that spat reported and were there quotes?
- blueline

It was not reported, but it became known and was a big topic amongst those who knew about it. Again, I never said Poile. I said management. The only thing I've ever heard that Poile disagreed on was Trotz not playing Vishnevski after he traded for him. Vish was at his best against the Sharks, and that's why Poile got him, but Trotz kept him out of the playoffs and the Preds were gone pretty quickly.

I was making the point that Trotz and management are not always on the same page as people think.