Paul McCann: Game 1 of a new 3 game set

No idea what to expect. So, let's just hope they build on their momentum from Winnipeg.

Here's a controversial position: I say Poile should trade Arvy. That's right, I said it. They guy has some value, but it's been a down year for him (injury, I know), but he's also started to show a nasty habit of taking stupid penalties, and embellishing A LOT. I love Arvy, but I think he's peaked. I'll play GM and put him up along with Joey. And Hamhuis, but we'd probably have to pay someone to take him.

*Calling Toronto*

No idea what to expect. So, let's just hope they build on their momentum from Winnipeg.

Here's a controversial position: I say Poile should trade Arvy. That's right, I said it. They guy has some value, but it's been a down year for him (injury, I know), but he's also started to show a nasty habit of taking stupid penalties, and embellishing A LOT. I love Arvy, but I think he's peaked. I'll play GM and put him up along with Joey. And Hamhuis, but we'd probably have to pay someone to take him.

*Calling Toronto*
- FoxMulder

I get where your going with this, but I think he is a keeper with age, performance and salary. We will probably lose Granlund unless he really wants to stay and you can keep him at the right price. I would keep Smith only on a 2 yr. deal but would have to take a cut in pay. Rocco I think is gone. He has had a good year and will probably test the market......Of course all of this is a moot point unless Poile decides to be a seller.

No idea what to expect. So, let's just hope they build on their momentum from Winnipeg.

Here's a controversial position: I say Poile should trade Arvy. That's right, I said it. They guy has some value, but it's been a down year for him (injury, I know), but he's also started to show a nasty habit of taking stupid penalties, and embellishing A LOT. I love Arvy, but I think he's peaked. I'll play GM and put him up along with Joey. And Hamhuis, but we'd probably have to pay someone to take him.

*Calling Toronto*
- FoxMulder

So I'm not the only one whose noticed. That's a joke obviously, it's impossible not to notice. I have a high tolerance for diving, considering about 75% of the players in the league do it on some level and I'm probably low-balling that figure. I remember, I think it was the beginning of last season, when the Preds were getting a rep for taking a lot of tripping penalties, then all of the sudden any time a Pred player's stick got anywhere near somebody's skate, they started going down like there were snipers in the rafters. If anything Arvy needs to work on his acting skills. Maybe he thinks because he's smaller and goes down easier he has to oversell to get calls, or maybe he's just embracing the role of being pest. Either way, he's reaching Marchand levels of absurdity with the way he's throwing himself around the ice at times, and that's one guy you never want to be compared to on any level.

I don't think the idea of trading Arvy is all that controversial anymore. I still like the guy but I'm not sure I love him anymore. Remember when he used to do jumping screens in front of the net, or fight off three guys on the boards killing 30 seconds off a penalty? I miss that guy. Now he's the guy who goes fling 20 feet every time he gets cross-checked. Haven't heard that many Arvy chants at Bridgestone recently either. Still a very solid player, but that blue-collar work ethic that made him so popular has dried up some.

I've been able to watch a lot of hockey lately, more than usual for this time of year, and it just really seems like the good teams are younger and faster than the Preds. It's almost like overnight they became...old.

I watched Edmonton and Calgary the other night, man, that was fun. They were all over the place. Or a team like the Avs. Young and fast. Then I watch the Jets/Preds, where they're both almost the same team, but they seemed old and slow. It's amazing how both teams, in just a few years, went from the top to average. That's why I think the window's closed on this version of the team, same with the Jets. The closer they flirt to the 8th spot, the worse it will be in the long run.

A part of me, the dark part that I keep locked up, is hoping the Preds lose and don't make the playoffs. I just hate to see them barely get in and then we're here next year discussing the same thing.

I get where your going with this, but I think he is a keeper with age, performance and salary. We will probably lose Granlund unless he really wants to stay and you can keep him at the right price. I would keep Smith only on a 2 yr. deal but would have to take a cut in pay. Rocco I think is gone. He has had a good year and will probably test the market......Of course all of this is a moot point unless Poile decides to be a seller.
- wrister

I'd trade any one of those guys if the price was right, but I wouldn't give them away for peanuts either. Sadly, Josi's contract is going to force either Granlund or Smith out next year, maybe both, but more likely Granlund since he's probably going to want to be paid around the six million mark again. I'd kind of hate to lose him right now, but if somebody makes Poile an offer he can't refuse at the deadline... I'm much more loyal to the team as a whole more than any one individual player, regardless of how much I might like them.

I've been able to watch a lot of hockey lately, more than usual for this time of year, and it just really seems like the good teams are younger and faster than the Preds. It's almost like overnight they became...old.

I watched Edmonton and Calgary the other night, man, that was fun. They were all over the place. Or a team like the Avs. Young and fast. Then I watch the Jets/Preds, where they're both almost the same team, but they seemed old and slow. It's amazing how both teams, in just a few years, went from the top to average. That's why I think the window's closed on this version of the team, same with the Jets. The closer they flirt to the 8th spot, the worse it will be in the long run.

A part of me, the dark part that I keep locked up, is hoping the Preds lose and don't make the playoffs. I just hate to see them barely get in and then we're here next year discussing the same thing.
- FoxMulder

The Speed issues are particularly noticeable when the bottom pairing defensemen are on the ice. They just can't keep up. Anahiem is a terrible team they gave the Preds fits because their best forwards were just faster, getting to lose pucks and reacting quicker, with the Preds always seeming to be a step behind if even that close. And this was the freakin' Ducks. Size is a big part of it too. The best players in the world now are not only fast, but usually have some meat on their bones too, so they're not as easily bullied off the puck when they can't just skate passed someone.

It's funny because a few years ago, the Preds where in front of the curb of the new craze in the NHL at the time, the mobile puck moving defensemen. Poile didn't invent in, but the Preds unexpected Finals run helped popularize the movement. Now everybody wants or has those type of guys, and d-men who actually focus on defense are looked at like dinosaurs. Now, just a few short years later, the Preds slower small forwards look like they're getting left behind.

Ok, I think I'm starting to see actual evidence of the new system. And...it's not bad. Kinda reminds me of the old Preds, where they'd let you shoot anywhere from the perimeter, but nothing down the middle. That 3rd period was impressive. I think they held the Flames without either a shot or a scoring chance until about 7 or 8 minutes left in the game. That's different for this team.

I'm also starting to be impressed with their ability to move the puck. It seemed pretty smooth, rather than the frantic desperation of the past. Even cycling the puck seemed better. Maybe it's Calgary being bad, but maybe they're starting to buy in.

Now if they could only do that at Bridgestone...

Solid game all around. Offensive pressure was consistent, defense was good, another solid performance in net... They even killed penalties and scored on the PP! Granlund of course he's doing everything right now. Turris steals a goal from Ekholm, that's hilarious, but I guess he deserved something for crashing the net and helping make that goal happen. Even Calgary's second goal, the Preds made the Flames work for it instead of gift wrapping it for them. Fabbro maybe had his best game as a Pred last night. I've got absolutely nothing to complain about, and it feels good. Not a dominate win, but as solid of a sixty minute all-around performance as we've seen from these guys in a while.

Edmonton is next... Are we allowed to have three in a row? Don't think they've won more than two since November. And Paul, can we please just skip the traditional have the Preds finally turned it around after a couple of wins blog? It kind of feels like a jinx at this point. If the Preds sweep the road trip, then maybe we can start talking.

I like the way Granlund is playing right now, and the team. Seems like one of the few players we picked up at the trade deadline to hang around with the team the following year. I also think they should go with Saros a little more and see if he can run with it.

I like the way Granlund is playing right now, and the team. Seems like one of the few players we picked up at the trade deadline to hang around with the team the following year. I also think they should go with Saros a little more and see if he can run with it.
- Martin's E-Ratt

I agree. The consecutive starts for Saros was intriguing. Like you, I think it needs to happen more often so that an honest determination can be made as to whether he can make it as a #1 or or even as a solid backup. He needs starts and he needs to be worked. Rinne seems to have picked his game up lately too but since he has little to prove at this point, let him mentor and rest. I'd give Juuse a much longer leash.