Clay Brewer: A Competitive Rebuild: Poile's Last Stand

You remind me of Garth. You just post general knowledge then pat yourself on the back for getting it “right”. It was a foregone conclusion Ellis was going to be dealt. It’s also a foregone conclusion that Ekholm will be dealt between now and the trade deadline. Forseberg may be dealt as well.

You remind me of Garth. You just post general knowledge then pat yourself on the back for getting it “right”. It was a foregone conclusion Ellis was going to be dealt. It’s also a foregone conclusion that Ekholm will be dealt between now and the trade deadline. Forseberg may be dealt as well.
- Jammerz04

And you remind me of every smug moron from every team who randomly goes on other teams boards to spout non-sensical BS. Frank off.

I'm not surprised that Poile protected 5 D-men. Heck, I actually called it but that was when they still had Ellis. You protect the 8 players that hold the most value to your team, that just makes sense, even if five of them happen to be defensemen. The Preds just don't have a wealth of talent at forward right now that needed protecting.

That being said though, Tanner Jeannot was not one of them... Nothing against him, but protecting him wasn't necessary... Seattle was never going to take him as I doubt his whopping 20 games of NHL experience had the Kraken salivating. Protecting Jeanott almost makes it seem like Poile is wanting Seattle to take Sissons, and I don't understand that mindset at all. Maybe they surprise us and select Jarnkrok, but I can't see Seattle taking anyone but Sissons. What he brings to the table is almost a perfect fit with the middle six for a new expansion team. And a cap-friendly long term contract to boot. I can't wait to hear the verbal and mental gymnastics Poile's going to have to bust out to explain this one.

A lot of people were misreporting Trenin as being exempt. I'm not sure where the confusion was, but a lot of people were definitely confused.

You remind me of Garth. You just post general knowledge then pat yourself on the back for getting it “right”. It was a foregone conclusion Ellis was going to be dealt. It’s also a foregone conclusion that Ekholm will be dealt between now and the trade deadline. Forseberg may be dealt as well.
- Jammerz04

Squatchy: He reminds me of Kooleus, useless [crud]-poster extraordinaire

Nice write-up Clay.

Myers is big, but doesn't really "throw his body around." What he can do effectively is use his reach and seal players off down the boards. One gave in particular 2 years ago against the Caps, he was a one-man rush killing machine. Myers' problem has been bad defensive reads that keep occurring even when he knows what the issue is. He's still got a ton of potential, but his "hockey sense" and inability to quicken his shot release are his biggest drawbacks.

Excellently written, very informative especially to a non preds diehard like myself.
Keep up the good work , Clay. I will be eagerly awaiting your next.

Excellently written, very informative especially to a non preds diehard like myself.
Keep up the good work , Clay. I will be eagerly awaiting your next.

You remind me of Garth. You just post general knowledge then pat yourself on the back for getting it “right”. It was a foregone conclusion Ellis was going to be dealt. It’s also a foregone conclusion that Ekholm will be dealt between now and the trade deadline. Forseberg may be dealt as well.
- Jammerz04

Dude, shut the (frank) up and go back to your hole.

I read most of the article. Will read the rest later. No doubt Poile is trying to get bigger/tougher. The only reason he put Johansen and Duchene on the unprotected list is b/c of their horrible That allowed Poile to protect other players

Could the trade of Ellis and leaving a bunch of high salaried players exposed, be a move in case the league rules against Weber going onto LTIR and the subsequent recapture penalty involved for the Predators?

Could the trade of Ellis and leaving a bunch of high salaried players exposed, be a move in case the league rules against Weber going onto LTIR and the subsequent recapture penalty involved for the Predators?
- Reubenkincade

how (and why) would they rule against it? he's actually injured and with what Tampa did they wouldn't have a leg to stand on

However, the NHL is ran by incompetent troglodytes so I guess anything is possible. Look at league revenue, NBA vs NHL, in the Bettman era or the (inexplicable, moronic) change in officiating that occurs in the playoffs for proof.

Outstanding analysis with thought and time put into what you wrote Clay. What matters for me in articles of this sort are information, ideas, what-ifs, backgrounds and the like, not whether the predictions are right or wrong. Predictions and speculations are usually a fun (or at least interesting) read, but I take them lightly because ultimately only time will tell.

What Poile et al are conjuring might end poorly. It might resolve to the the usual middle-of-the-road that we've become accustomed to. But, it's not beyond the realm of reason that it might turn out well. I can always hope.

No matter, because what we do know is that it will be interesting. I tend not to carp much about what the Preds do since I have no say in the process but I do gain some satisfaction seeing how their plotting (machinations?) play out whether good, bad or otherwise. It creates some level of intrigue which fans and media quietly lust after.

You know, whenever something big happens in Nashville like the Ellis trade, it always fascinates me to read the national media's take on it... Because it becomes glaringly obvious how little attention they pay to what goes on down here. That's true for any small market/non-traditionally team, you have to force the national media to pay attention to you. It comes with territory.

Still, reading some of these articles, as a Preds fan you'd almost have to think the writer hadn't seen Ellis play since 2017. Or they're just hypnotized by the name on the back of the jersey. I literally laughed out loud the first time I read someone describe Ellis as a two-way defenseman. I guess he is in the sense that he's sometimes forced to try to play defense, but he was always only slightly above average in his own zone even in his prime. A lot of focus on his positives, some of which he still definitely has, some exaggerated, and a couple completely manufactured. Nothing mentioned of the mounting red-flags we've been noticing for the past several years, other than the injuries and contract length. Probably because they haven't noticed them because they only see him play once a year. That's one of the advantages of not existing in a fish bowl. In years when Nashville is essentially irrelevant, a guy like Ellis and his diminishing skillset can hide for a couple of seasons. It also helps that the league heavily values puck moving offensive d-men enough to overlook certain deficiencies. It's why I said it was crazy to not protect Ellis in the Expansion Draft when you could trade him and actually get something of value in return.

Philly and the rest of the league can say they won the trade, they probably did and quite frankly they can have it. This wasn't a trade Nashville was trying to win. They were trying to unload a guy with a bad contract before his skills eroded to the point that he had no more value, and quite frankly, just doesn't fit the current roster Poile is trying to implement. I don't know if Myers or Glass are going to be any good... Poile likes weird players, so this was always the best we were going to get. Some workout, some don't, so we'll just have to wait and see. I think fans tend to forget that Forsberg was considered a bit of gamble by some. You just never know.

I wish nothing but the best for Ellis in Philly. As long as it doesn't hurt the Preds, I hope he rediscovers his game there. He's probably better suited for the Eastern Conference at this point in his career so this move might really work out for him. Still, you'd think some Phily fans would start wondering why most Preds fans aren't all that bothered by this move.

Myers is big, but doesn't really "throw his body around." What he can do effectively is use his reach and seal players off down the boards. One gave in particular 2 years ago against the Caps, he was a one-man rush killing machine. Myers' problem has been bad defensive reads that keep occurring even when he knows what the issue is. He's still got a ton of potential, but his "hockey sense" and inability to quicken his shot release are his biggest drawbacks.
- jmatchett383

There was game in 19-20 where Myers cleanly bodied Oliver Bjorkstrand to neutralize a late game rush that sent him straight to ice and then the boards. Bjorkstrand ended up getting injured in the play. Myers definitely has the size and ability to impose his will...it's just a matter of him doing it consistently

There was game in 19-20 where Myers cleanly bodied Oliver Bjorkstrand to neutralize a late game rush that sent him straight to ice and then the boards. Bjorkstrand ended up getting injured in the play. Myers definitely has the size and ability to impose his will...it's just a matter of him doing it consistently
- Sublime55

I have an analog clock in my garage with batteries that died long ago, but it's consistently correct every day at 3:05

Myers should be a great pickup, Not sure if Nashville's amazing history of talent on D is mainly from luck, drafting well, stellar development or a good mix of them all, but he has all the tools, He's a very likable kid who (even us Philly fans who are known to be a little harsh) want to see succeed. He was paired mostly with another young D Man, and last year was a train wreck, however I truly expect he will be everything they hoped for in trading for him.

Myers should be a great pickup, Not sure if Nashville's amazing history of talent on D is mainly from luck, drafting well, stellar development or a good mix of them all, but he has all the tools, He's a very likable kid who (even us Philly fans who are known to be a little harsh) want to see succeed. He was paired mostly with another young D Man, and last year was a train wreck, however I truly expect he will be everything they hoped for in trading for him.
- GPerogie

Based on their track record I think they know what they're doing with D men. In all honesty I expect he will do very well here in Nashville. I welcome the addition and look forward to seeing him play (if Sinclair actually lets me)

But he's not being paid to score goals and the franchise record for goals in a season is kinda pathetic (and they just traded the guy who set it).

Also, did you read where Sinclar is looking to buy NBC's local sports networks? You'll get to share the misery with the rest of us

First, Thank you for the hard work and entertainment Colton Sissons! I wish you all the best in Seattle. They are getting a foundational player who will do good things for the Kraken franchise. Second, DP has left this team hamstrung with two of with most mediocre and highly paid players in the league. Question is, what does he do about it except trade one or both for partial salary retention. Sad, but that’s probably the best move.

That being said though, Tanner Jeannot was not one of them... Nothing against him, but protecting him wasn't necessary... Seattle was never going to take him as I doubt his whopping 20 games of NHL experience had the Kraken salivating. Protecting Jeanott almost makes it seem like Poile is wanting Seattle to take Sissons, and I don't understand that mindset at all. Maybe they surprise us and select Jarnkrok, but I can't see Seattle taking anyone but Sissons. What he brings to the table is almost a perfect fit with the middle six for a new expansion team. And a cap-friendly long term contract to boot. I can't wait to hear the verbal and mental gymnastics Poile's going to have to bust out to explain this one.


Fully agree with this. Would be shocked if Tanner Jeannot was on Seattle’s radar at all. I’m afraid all these trades are not a competitive rebuild but a way to set the Preds new internal Salary Cap lower. Have the Owners mandated them to cut spending? A bit surprised too Myers was given Shea’s old number. Doesn’t seem right.

I have an analog clock in my garage with batteries that died long ago, but it's consistently correct every day at 3:05
- farooge

Wrong time…haven’t you heard it’s 5 o’clock somewhere? At least move it up to 5. Better also get some new batteries for that clock and a sunnier disposition.

Wrong time…haven’t you heard it’s 5 o’clock somewhere? At least move it up to 5. Better also get some new batteries for that clock and a sunnier disposition.
- Sublime55

Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett?

If I had to make a list of performers I'd like to see ejected into the sun those two would be at, or very near, the top.

Seriously, they're both dreadful

Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett?

If I had to make a list of performers I'd like to see ejected into the sun those two would be at, or very near, the top.

Seriously, they're both dreadful
- farooge

I don't have an opinion on either of them, good or bad.