Paul McCann: History in Smashville

If the Preds were going to simply recycle a previous NHL head coach, there were a lot better options out there than Hynes. Pete DeBoer immediately comes to mind. Consequently, can't imagine this hire turning around the Preds season like the Berube hiring did last year for the Blues, but hockey is a funny game, and you just never know. Guess time will tell.

This just gets more fun to watch by the minute. I'd really like to think the Avs 9-4 dismantling of the Preds had something to do with setting this in motion. Watching Matt Duchene play for John Hynes is going to be freaking awesome. Another master-stroke by David Poile, The Greatest GM in the History of GM's!!! That's why he has all those Cups.

The Move was inevitable, and probably should've happened at the end of last season As ready as I was for this move I also appreciate his efforts during the first few years of his tenure, basically helping pulling this franchise out of mediocrity and league-wide apathy. He inherited a young fast team with the likes of James Neal, and four solid puck moving d-men that really fit his offensive system well. Then Neal got gobbled up by Vegas, Subban and Eliis would start to decline in a couple of years, and for some reason, Poile decided to stock up on slower d-minded forwards and hand out big contracts to guys with... Let's just say questionable work ethics. Lavy was just unable, or unwilling to adjust his style to fit the personal he'd been given. He'd adjust on occasion, but rarely showed the patience to stick with it. That's probably Lavy's biggest shortcoming as a a coach. The best adapt to the situation you're given, or swallow their pride and adjust their style to the personal on the ice. The mess Nashville is in is by no means all Lavy's fault. We need to start looking at DP and some of the recent decisions he's made. The GM's not going to fire himself though.

Hynes is not the answer... Hopefully he's a short-term stop gap, until Poile feels the guy from Milwaukee is ready. The NHL needs some new blood and new ideas. Cycling the same good ole boys club of 35-40 coaches is ridiculous. And why does everyone Poile seem to hire need to have some kind of past connection to him?

Anyway, best of luck to you Lavy, wherever you next end up. Maybe New Jersey or even Seattle on the horizon.

Meh.

So Poile trusts Shero and Shero thinks highly enough of Hynes that he fired him a month ago. Makes complete sense.

I can't imagine the owners are thrilled with Poile at this point. Yes, firing Lavy was the right thing to do...last off season. We've pretty much handcuffed ourselves with these contracts for underachievers, so unless he's really pushing for a lottery pick, I'm not sure what the hell he's doing. Barring a Blues-like resurgence, I could totally see Poile gone by May.

All the good will and enthusiasm that Lavy helped to create is about to be gone with the wind, and frankly I don't give a damn.

Go leafs.

The Move was inevitable, and probably should've happened at the end of last season As ready as I was for this move I also appreciate his efforts during the first few years of his tenure, basically helping pulling this franchise out of mediocrity and league-wide apathy. He inherited a young fast team with the likes of James Neal, and four solid puck moving d-men that really fit his offensive system well. Then Neal got gobbled up by Vegas, Subban and Eliis would start to decline in a couple of years, and for some reason, Poile decided to stock up on slower d-minded forwards and hand out big contracts to guys with... Let's just say questionable work ethics. Lavy was just unable, or unwilling to adjust his style to fit the personal he'd been given. He'd adjust on occasion, but rarely showed the patience to stick with it. That's probably Lavy's biggest shortcoming as a a coach. The best adapt to the situation you're given, or swallow their pride and adjust their style to the personal on the ice. The mess Nashville is in is by no means all Lavy's fault. We need to start looking at DP and some of the recent decisions he's made. The GM's not going to fire himself though.

Hynes is not the answer... Hopefully he's a short-term stop gap, until Poile feels the guy from Milwaukee is ready. The NHL needs some new blood and new ideas. Cycling the same good ole boys club of 35-40 coaches is ridiculous. And why does everyone Poile seem to hire need to have some kind of past connection to him?

Anyway, best of luck to you Lavy, wherever you next end up. Maybe New Jersey or even Seattle on the horizon.
- Squatchy

All good comments, and I agree mostly. But where I would differ is that I don't think Hynes is part of that 'old guard' everyone refers to. Those guys are washed up mostly because they HAD some success, and just haven't been able to recreate the magic since... Babcock, Sutter, Vigneault, DeBoer, etc... even Q, but FLA is playing pretty well...
Hynes has some pedigree, but I think he should still have his chance at the NHL level, and sometimes it just isn't a good fit. Maybe he can lift the boys out of the doldrums and turn things around.

All good comments, and I agree mostly. But where I would differ is that I don't think Hynes is part of that 'old guard' everyone refers to. Those guys are washed up mostly because they HAD some success, and just haven't been able to recreate the magic since... Babcock, Sutter, Vigneault, DeBoer, etc... even Q, but FLA is playing pretty well...
Hynes has some pedigree, but I think he should still have his chance at the NHL level, and sometimes it just isn't a good fit. Maybe he can lift the boys out of the doldrums and turn things around.
- Cousinskrid

Oh, I'm not calling out any group of coaches in particular or even calling anyone in particular a bum. The NHL is just weird in the way they seem to have a coaching carousel where every team hot potatoes the same group of 30+ coaches around the league. Rarely to do you see an up-and-coming assistant get a shot behind the bench, unless it's an item coach who's team just happens to take off after the change, and rarely is a coach so bad, like Mike Yeo, that he almost completely loses his spot circling the revolving door of coaches. Phil Housley was really the last high profile assistant I can remember getting a chance at the big job straight off the bench of another team. I can almost guarantee you that pretty much every head coach fired in the middle of, or at the end of this season, will be behind the bench for another team the beginning of next season.

Just doesn't look right.

It's so funny how fans were blasting the new coach for the team's performance last night. You do realize the guy hasn't even conducted a practice with the team yet, right? I'm not sure it's the right hire, but come on.

I did like his responses after the game, when asked about the problems the team has, he started to say that they don't play smart, then veered into "attention to detail". I like the guy. The team doesn't play smart. I've questioned their hockey IQ many times. That's what happens when you keep doing the same thing over and over and over...

Let's hope he kicks them in the teeth and wakes them up, or that he's tasked with letting Poile know who wants to play and who just wants a check so that Poile can get them the hell out of here.

Note: Trenin buckled the big guy's knees last night. You don't see that very often. Kudos kid. You're a legend.

I like how John Hynes gets credit for getting the Devils into the playoffs. Truth is it was a very fast start for the team tied to Taylor Halls MVP run that got them in. They faded down the stretch and barely made it; and Hynes had no answers to really get them back on track. Keith Kinkaid playing well over his head in goal helped but I don't see that as a result of the head coach.

Hope you guys do well but I wouldn't be happy about this choice if it were my team.

Last night was a eye-opener for anybody whose eyes were still closed. You got to see the differences between the Predators and an actual good team. A team whose key players showed up and can finish when an opportunity is presented to them, special teams that looked competent, a goal tender making timely saves behind a defense that wasn't forcing him to make more than his fair share of tough saves. Basically everything the Predators aren't right now. There were stretches last night when the Preds didn't even look that bad... They simply weren't as good as the other team on the ice, and that's been the case most nights this season.

Hockey IQ on this team is definitely an issue. Josi isn't the best defender in the league, but some nights it feels like he's the only guy on the ice that knows what he's doing with the puck when he has it. I've never seen an NHL team struggle so mightily with the basic fundamental of passing the puck. I feel sorry for Forsberg... He's trying to do everything himself, but he's just nowhere near that McDvaid/Pesternak level of guys who can put the team on his shoulders consistently. Lost count of how many times I've watched him skate into the zone with two or three defenders draped around him, and getting absolutely no help. Not that anybody he could've passed to would've been able to handle the puck.

It's weird though I still enjoy watching this team more than I do last year's bunch of spoiled entitled brats who rolled over at the slightest bit of adversity. At least it feels like these guys are trying... They're just not that good right now.

I like how John Hynes gets credit for getting the Devils into the playoffs. Truth is it was a very fast start for the team tied to Taylor Halls MVP run that got them in. They faded down the stretch and barely made it; and Hynes had no answers to really get them back on track. Keith Kinkaid playing well over his head in goal helped but I don't see that as a result of the head coach.

Hope you guys do well but I wouldn't be happy about this choice if it were my team.
- Queenie_5_hole

We're definitely not happy with it. I'm convinced that either Poile is lazy and only hires people he has previous relationships with, or he sees the writing on the wall for this season, and wants a scapegoat he can easily dump at the end of the season without much controversy. But hey, he fired the coach mid-season, so he was definitely trying to salvage the season right? And if for some unforeseen reason the Preds go on a tare and make a run, DP looks like a genius. The more I think about it, this hire looks like a classic David Poile move.

I like how John Hynes gets credit for getting the Devils into the playoffs. Truth is it was a very fast start for the team tied to Taylor Halls MVP run that got them in. They faded down the stretch and barely made it; and Hynes had no answers to really get them back on track. Keith Kinkaid playing well over his head in goal helped but I don't see that as a result of the head coach.

Hope you guys do well but I wouldn't be happy about this choice if it were my team.
- Queenie_5_hole

You can't have it both ways. Playoff runs are because the players, slumps are because of the coach. Heard this nonstop after Babcock got fired and everyone suddenly wanted to minimize his career. Just stop it.

As for the Preds (and NJ), both the coaching and players have sucked this year and last. Maybe this guy can turn it around, maybe not. I'll give him a chance, maybe a new voice and gameplan can work. Maybe not. If it doesn't, I can see Poile either retiring or "relieved" of his duties. The owners can't possibly be happy with the direction this has taken this year. They know that they need people in the seats and a spectacular crash and burn isn't going to get it done.

Addendum: Maybe it's time to bring up a goalie from Milwaukee. Couldn't possibly hurt. Let everyone know they're expendable.

We're definitely not happy with it. I'm convinced that either Poile is lazy and only hires people he has previous relationships with, or he sees the writing on the wall for this season, and wants a scapegoat he can easily dump at the end of the season without much controversy. But hey, he fired the coach mid-season, so he was definitely trying to salvage the season right? And if for some unforeseen reason the Preds go on a tare and make a run, DP looks like a genius. The more I think about it, this hire looks like a classic David Poile move.
- Squatchy

Where to begin ...? At least the new coach got to see first hand all the issues he has taken on. Goaltending....Peks truly did settle in and made some great saves after a soft first goal. Calling up Milwaukee players due to injuries, send a message, whatever, these guy's need work. While Trenin works hard the last goal of the game was just embarrassing (watched video this morning). I actually stopped watching at 4-1 and glad i did.
I also agree on Poile. His hands are dirty in this mess as well. When he brought his son in a number of years ago I thought ok here goes one of those guy's in creating a job for family. So frustrated with this team.

Addendum: Maybe it's time to bring up a goalie from Milwaukee. Couldn't possibly hurt. Let everyone know they're expendable.
- FoxMulder

I hate playing fantasy GM, everyone values things differently, but if I were Poile and I only do one thing as a buyer, I'd be looking for a Goalie. I like Saros but I'm starting to doubt he's ever going to be anything more than a solid backup. Raanta in Arizona keeps jumping out at me, one because of potential, and two because he might actually be obtainable. Arizona can't horde both of those goalies forever. Not sure if Nashville has the assets to pry him out of there, but I'd at least be talking to Chayka about it.

I hate playing fantasy GM, everyone values things differently, but if I were Poile and I only do one thing as a buyer, I'd be looking for a Goalie. I like Saros but I'm starting to doubt he's ever going to be anything more than a solid backup. Raanta in Arizona keeps jumping out at me, one because of potential, and two because he might actually be obtainable. Arizona can't horde both of those goalies forever. Not sure if Nashville has the assets to pry him out of there, but I'd at least be talking to Chayka about it.
- Squatchy

I love playing fantasy GM. I just swapped out the Preds for the entire Admirals team.

You can't have it both ways. Playoff runs are because the players, slumps are because of the coach. Heard this nonstop after Babcock got fired and everyone suddenly wanted to minimize his career. Just stop it.
- FoxMulder

You want to believe it Hynes and not Taylor Hall just about doubling his counting stats then it's fine. But trust me, whatever small amount of success this team had was probably more in spite of Hynes then because of him.

You want to believe it Hynes and not Taylor Hall just about doubling his counting stats then it's fine. But trust me, whatever small amount of success this team had was probably more in spite of Hynes then because of him.
- Queenie_5_hole

I really don't care what it was, I'm saying that these things are a little more complicated than blaming one person. Sometimes players get hot. Sometimes it's because the system allows for it. Sometimes it's luck. Sometimes it's scheduling and match-ups. Sometimes it's coaching. Sometimes it's because someone ate their Wheaties.

More often than not, it's a little bit of everything.

I really don't care what it was, I'm saying that these things are a little more complicated than blaming one person. Sometimes players get hot. Sometimes it's because the system allows for it. Sometimes it's luck. Sometimes it's scheduling and match-ups. Sometimes it's coaching. Sometimes it's because someone ate their Wheaties.

More often than not, it's a little bit of everything.
- FoxMulder

It was because of Jesus.


Not Hynes.


It wasn’t everything. Definitely not wheaties.

It was because of Jesus.


Not Hynes.


It wasn’t everything. Definitely not wheaties.
- Queenie_5_hole

Yeah...um

No.

We're definitely not happy with it. I'm convinced that either Poile is lazy and only hires people he has previous relationships with, or he sees the writing on the wall for this season, and wants a scapegoat he can easily dump at the end of the season without much controversy. But hey, he fired the coach mid-season, so he was definitely trying to salvage the season right? And if for some unforeseen reason the Preds go on a tare and make a run, DP looks like a genius. The more I think about it, this hire looks like a classic David Poile move.
- Squatchy

If he has that in mind, he hasn't thought much about his job being on the line. If this hire doesn't improve things, Poile should be let go also. After all, it's his fingerprints on this roster.

Ok, since Paul hasn't put in a new blog I will.

We got a new coach. He was fired last month, knows Poile, so he's our coach now. He alluded to the fact that our guys aren't smart, or at least aren't playing smart, so he's somewhat astute. Playing the Bruins as the first game was not ideal. They're good.

Our goalies suck at the moment. Sure, flashes of brilliance, but very average most of the time. It exposes the lazy, undisciplined play of everyone else. Our power play, well it sucks too. Our defense...sucks. Offense...sucks.

So tonight we play the other division team that is as bad as we are, Chicago. The battle for the division bottom is on! Remember when this rivalry was intense? Well, all eyes will be on the team tonight now that Hynes has been able to practice with the guys. We'll see what happens. I guess if we win a few, we'll be buyers, but I have no faith.

If he has that in mind, he hasn't thought much about his job being on the line. If this hire doesn't improve things, Poile should be let go also. After all, it's his fingerprints on this roster.
- Predman29

Poile has basically been bullet proof since the finals run, and I don't doubt he still feels he has a bit of that cloak of invincibility around him. He's probably more worried about his age and winning a cup before he retires than he is actually getting fired. Then again, maybe firing a coach mid-season for the first time in franchise history is a sign he's finally starting to feel some pressure from management. There has to come a point where he needs to be held responsible for the questionable contracts and other moves he's made over the past few seasons. Everyone gave him credit when things were going well, heck they gave him a bloody award for it. He can't be completely absolved of blame now that things are trending south. Poile seems to walk a strange line between trying to keep up with newer trends in the sport while somewhat staying stuck in the past at the same time.

I hate playing fantasy GM, everyone values things differently, but if I were Poile and I only do one thing as a buyer, I'd be looking for a Goalie. I like Saros but I'm starting to doubt he's ever going to be anything more than a solid backup. Raanta in Arizona keeps jumping out at me, one because of potential, and two because he might actually be obtainable. Arizona can't horde both of those goalies forever. Not sure if Nashville has the assets to pry him out of there, but I'd at least be talking to Chayka about it.
- Squatchy

Piss and moan, piss and moan, piss and moan. If pissing and moaning had anything to do with how the team plays, Preds wouldn't have anything to worry about because they would not lose another game. There are a lot of out of work NHL Coaches and GM's on this site, they just won't give their real names, they all go by nicknames. GO PREDS!!!!