Paul McCann: Hockey Night in Edmonton

While I still haven't had enough of a sample size to judge Hynes, one of my earliest criticisms of him was that, other than the first game or two he coached, I didn't really see any difference in the way the Preds were playing under Lavy. It looked like the same team making sloppy plays and bone-headed mistakes, and quite frankly, couldn't seem to keep up with most of the teams were they were playing. It made me wonder if the problem was more the players on the ice, and much less the way they were being coached than I thought. The last couple of games though I've actually been able to notice a difference... Not just the system, but in the teams mentality... When Hynes first came aboard, he basically called out the team for playing stupid, and he wasn't wrong. It seemed to take a few games to weed out some of the bad habits left over from Lavy's system, but the team does seem to be playing smarter. Two solid games doesn't really prove anything or erase the rest of the season, but hopefully it's a sign things are trending in the right direction.

The last time the Preds played Edmonton, I didn't get the sense the Oilers were that much better than the Preds. What was clear, was that the Oilers had the best two players on the ice by miles. You can't let those two guys murder you. If someone else beats you then fine, good for them. You fall back into old habits with McDavid or Leon on the ice, the puck is going to end up in the back of the. Oversimplified yes, but the truth none-the-less.

WOW I never knew winning two games in a row constituted an "ascent".

They looked good at first. Then slowly they seemed to forget a few minor things, like Edmonton has the number one power play in the league...and that they also have two of the best players in the league. I guess a two goal lead makes you forget things.

Correcting the ship shouldn't be this hard. This is essentially the same team that won two divisions and a Presidents Trophy. Those days seem long gone. It's as if a magic spell has been cast erasing the past four years. Suddenly, they're the team that was just trying to get in. The one who's never won in the second round; the one that has never won a division; the one that has all this talent but just can't seem to get over the hump.

Deja vu all over again.

The elephant in the room...to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. I say sell!

The elephant in the room...to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. I say sell!
- Polecat

Sellers. But keep Granlund.

Sellers. But keep Granlund.
- FoxMulder

Unfortunately, Granlund might be their best trade asset. Him or Smith..nobody wants Turris.

Unfortunately, Granlund might be their best trade asset. Him or Smith..nobody wants Turris.
- Polecat

Yeah, six of one, half dozen of the other.

Filip Forsberg leads all Nashville forwards in both goals (18) and points (38) and looks set to finish somewhere around his usual 60 points, but plenty of others are lagging:

• Matt Duchene - $8 million cap hit - 70 points last season, 35 points in 51 games this season
• Ryan Johansen - $8 million cap hit - 64 points last season, 31 points in 54 games this season
• Kyle Turris - $6 million cap hit - career high 64 points in 2014-15, 24 points in 47 games this season
• Mikael Granlund - $5.75 million cap hit - career high 69 points in 2016-17, 21 points in 48 games this season

This is from the Vancouver blogger. Very nice information (would be nice to have a blogger go into this kind of dissection instead of the "We're due" garbage).

This is from the Vancouver blogger. Very nice information (would be nice to have a blogger go into this kind of dissection instead of the "We're due" garbage).
- FoxMulder

Lmao...true! Paul is a company man and will toe the line. He knows who signs his checks.

Sell!!!Sell!!!!SELL!!!!!!

Sell!!!Sell!!!!SELL!!!!!!
- up-n-ya

Yep. This team is crap on a stick. I think Poile's days are numbered. At least I hope they are.

Lmao...true! Paul is a company man and will toe the line. He knows who signs his checks.
- Polecat

Even Chris Mason called them out last night on t.v. Nothing pisses me off more than guys making this kind of money and not showing up.

Sell, though with what Poile has to offer, it feels more like a yard sale than a fire sale. Granlund could probably land you a pick and and a prospect right now with the way he's playing, so he's your most valuable movable asset. Smith would probably land you a draft pick, maybe even a first if a team is desperate enough and doesn't give a poop about the 26th overall pick in next year's draft. I heard that one GM was once desperate enough to trade a #1 pick for Ryan Hartman, so never say never. Retain some salary if you have to sweeten the deals. Grimaldi might garner some interest, but unless the offer is good might as well hang onto him. I'd probably rather have him than somebody's late 3rd or 4th round pick.

Solution:

Give the entire roster to Seattle. Proceed with the expansion draft and build a new Predator team.

Boom.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

Please someone tell Pekka to retire at the end of year....... Sorry ole chap its time to hang up the skates, thank you for your service! Retire his number...