Good Start to Free Agency for Preds

Hard to believe October is only 3 months away......
The Preds struck gold in getting Steve Sullivan and Joel Ward re-signed for 2 years and a budget friendly number. David Poile had to spend more than he wanted originally but he didn't have to pay outlandish money either. I am proud of the way the players and organization both handled the situation with class. Each side stated their reasons, negotiated fairly and were not offended with the final result.

* Kudos to Steve Sullivan who seems to really like the city of Nashville and was not money-hungry but just looking to get a fair market deal but stay in Nashville the entire time.
* Free agent needs- looks as if David Poile wants a veteran defenseman and another LW goal scorer going by conversations on local radio this week. In his usual fashion, he will watch the other deals and look to swoop in late and grab a $1-$3 million dollar player who seems to fall through the cracks once the big payroll teams are done spending.
* Alexander Radulov thoughts- with the world economy still struggling along, I think the chance of Radulov getting back over to the NHL gets better and better. Radulov has to play 1 more year for the Preds before a new contract can be negotiated, so he has to be weighing in his mind when is the best time to do so. Versus has the TV contract until 2010-2011. Radulov should consider playing this year and keep fingers crossed more player payroll money can come from the next TV contract if ratings still improve. With Ovechkin and Crosby becoming mainstream faces to the NHL, the future is looking better for the NHL as far as TV contracts go.
* Goal scoring need- I have said this before and still believe Antti Pihlstrom has another level of goal scoring in him. With his speed and toughness, he should be a 20-30 goal scorer. It may just be a confidence thing but if he was to have a hot streak of 3-5 goals in a 5-10 game stretch, I think it would catapult him into the 20+ goal scoring category.
* Trade bait- I know you are tired of hearing this. Dan Ellis=trade value. Pecca Rinne has arrived and is a clear #1 goalie. I know David Poile is holding him for the right time. Poile is weighing sign a free agent goal scorer vs. trading Ellis for someone under contract. Might be best to hang onto Ellis thru training camp to see if a top goalie gets injured. If the right large market team really needs a goalie for whatever reason, they will overpay and then the Preds/Poile can get crazy value for Ellis. Stay tuned.
* Hated to see Greg Zanon leave but it was all about $$$ for a small market club. We have young defensemen who can step up and our expendible cash had to go towards goal scorers Ward/Sullivan plus any free agent signing. It will be frustating though when Zanon keeps blocking all out shots when we play Minnesota.

Happy 4th everyone. Please comment if you want. Thanks to those who follow the blog.

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.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Than Just Wins Over Detroit, San Jose and L.A.

Is it just me or did you get the feeling watching the last 3 games the Preds are no longer intimidated by "the big boys"? In previous games and years it seemed we sat back on our heels and played in a super-defensive mode versus attacking as we did with wins over Red Wings, San Jose and L.A. this week. I personally think Shea Weber is leading the charge but others are contributing a toughness as well we haven't seen before. If you can, go back and watch Weber against the Sharks when they were down 2-0 in the 2nd period. He was jumping in on the rush, throwing the body and most importantly I sensed he was willing the Preds back in that game. Shea Weber was not letting them go down without a fight. The young defensemen(Weber, Suter, Zanon & Klein) are raising their games to new levels and the opponents offense is suffering.

How many times can we say HUGE game this year? Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. A win tonight goes along way to climbing as high as #6 in the west. Let's go Preds!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ducks Sneak Away with 2-1 OT Win

Good effort by the Preds considering still no Jason Arnott or Wade Belak. It was good to get a point for the 5th straight game when you consider 3 of the games were OT losses. When the Preds aren't playing great they are still getting points, so that keeps them right in the playoff mix. Other thoughts:

* Shea Weber scores a goal and had his way throwing around his weight on defense. I thought he deserved to be the #2 star for the game.
* The catastrophic Dan Hamhuis defensive breakdown almost reared its head again. He got beat badly midway through the 3rd period and had it not been for an errant shot by Anaheim, the Preds would have lost in regulation and not received any points for the contest.
* Thanks to the Red Wings for scoring 3 goals in the 3rd period to beat Edmonton 3-2. Big development for the Preds. With way Anaheim has it going now, it could come down to Preds/Oilers for that last playoff spot.

Watch those scores. Thurdsday night vs the Sharks. Let's go Preds.

Road Trip Ender at San Jose

So far 5 out of possible 6 points but the mighty San Jose Sharks are on the docket, the 2nd of back-to-back games on top of that. The Sharks are 4-5-1 over last 10 and no happy. With Arnott, Bonk & Belak(needed to keep Shelley in check tonight) out it will be a tough night to get points. How can the Preds get a win tonight?

Pecca Rinne must stand on the proverbial head. Let's go Preds.

Pecca Rinne Returns, Stops Slide

Predators 2, Coyotes 0
Okay, the weak opponent didn't hurt either because Phoenix was a seller at the trade deadline. The Preds got it done with a 2-0 victory while Rinne only had to turn back 18 shots from the Coyotes. With what seems like everyone else in the playoff race getting victories around us, it was a much needed 2 points to get the Preds back to 9th place in the western conference.

NEW FEATURE
Look on left side of blog to see the tribute to Jordan Tootoo's best punishment given out. Click on the link to see the video of the battles.

Other Thoughts:
* Hurry back Jason Arnott- hope he returns soon because offense is confused and lines not clicking so far in his absence
* Scoreboard today- Sharks stop Ducks, Red Wings stop Blue Jackets, Blues top the Wild. All help the Preds. Vancouver beating Colorado only game that worked against us.
* Remaining 13 games against teams either in playoffs or very serious contention for a spot. Phoenix game was last "breather" or game you count on as a win.
* Get that nap in tomorrow afternoon so you are ready for the late start on TV Monday night vs. the LA Kings.