Sunday, April 19, 2009

Regular Season Ends

Sorry for the delay but just now able to come to grips with the season being over. Considering all the injuries, it was a valiant effort to get to the brink of the playoffs. Kudos to coach Trotz and the effort of the guys down the stretch with seemingly miracle after miracle finish to games.

The answer to why we didn't make it? Not enough goals scored. We look to be solid in net and on defense for years to come but the lack of offense was the downfall. David Poile will be meeting with Alexander Radulov and his agent soon, let's hope that gets worked out so he can return next year. Signing Steve Sullivan will be important as well, but balancing the right amount of years/money versus his age/injuries will be interesting.

Year end wrap up coming soon. Try to enjoy the playoffs, it will be fun to watch even if we are not there.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Motor City Miracle, 4-3 OT Win vs. Detroit

Sorry Titans. I hope I get credit for naming it first. The Preds rise again from the ashes to hang onto the slim playoff hopes. Jason Arnott is proving the captain title is on the right player with 2 more goals and leading the late surge to come from 2 goals down in the 3rd period. Throw in some timely Pecca Rinne saves and it is time to beat the Minnesota Wild Friday night and then scoreboard watch. Kudos to coach Trotz for pushing the right buttons and holding this team together with all the injuries and adversity.

Other notes since my last blog(been watching games, just no time to blog)
* I am sorry to say it but I hope we can move Dan Hamhuis for some goal scoring in the off season. Teams value puck-moving defensemen. The Blackhawks game Tuesday night was another game with a huge defensive breakdown and a giveaway by Dan leading to 2 goals. It is time for Franzen, Koistenen or another young guy to move into his spot. In a year where we may miss the playoffs by 1 point, the mistakes he continues to make are very costly.
* Ville Koistenen is going to end up finding a place on the roster with his 3 way play. Part of the game as a winger, part leading the point on the power play. Now throw in his shootout success and he is a triple threat to give coach Trotz options when the injuries pile up.
* He will not win coach of the year but Barry Trotz should. Either that or Las Vegas magic act of the year. He has a defenseman playing winger, used at least 5 Milwaukee Admirals and played without 2 of his top 6 goals scorers down the stretch and still has the team in playoff contention.
* For all those bloggers on hockeybuzz.com who trashed Trotz as a coach and GM David Poile for not making a deadline deal a while back, there should be some apologies posted. They were not too kind to Arnott as a captain either.

On to Minnesota, let's go Preds!!!!!!!!!!!!