Sweet Music City
There's actually been something to cheer about in Nashville this season.
Unbeknownst to Nashivlle Predators fans, there actually is hockey played after the regular season.
Fans are getting a 101 course on this information in the wake of news that their team may actually make the post-season. Until recently, the Predtoars fans were only left with 'wild rumours' of playoff action. The WCHL Cup was long thought to be a piece of fiction, a tale from long ago of a prized possession long since swallowed up by time in a similar fashion to how San Jose Sharks General Manager Kurt Fulmore swallows... er, nevermind.
"We can't believe it. There's actually more hockey? Since when," questioned long-time Predators fan Ima Not Egirl, herself a long-time puck bunny. Considering the Predators haven't exactly been lighting things up very often in their history in the WCHL, she's had her share of 'consoling' to do over the years.
Even the ice girls are getting into it this year.
But here the Predators are, making big moves and even bigger strides up the standings. One season after finishing second last in the WCHL, the Predators sit fifth in the Western Conference and a full eight points ahead of ninth seeded Vancouver Canucks, with two games in hand.
"We like where we are at, but we still have work to do," acknowledged General Manager Trent Allen in his second season on the job. "To steal a line from Patrick Matthews (Pittsburgh Penguins GM) I've got a few holes to fill."
While Allen wouldn't go into what those holes were, the likely goal is to add another centre to the mix who is capable of playing on the top two lines. Alexander Steen and Lars Eller are currently holding down those two spots and Allen has expressed his desire in the past to move Steen to the wing while trying to move Eller to the third line where there is less pressure.
"Much like Ottawa Senators GM Noel Harrison, we spent most of last year trying to shore up a backend that was getting scored on repeatedly. I think we have done a great job there, but now we have to work harder at finding ways to score. Maybe we'll ask (Philadelphia Flyers GM) Doug (Van Strephen) about that, he's always trying to figure out how to score."
Oddly enough, the Predators are sitting just 28th in the lague on the penalty kill, something which has been a big issue for the PRedators dating back to before Allen even arrived.
"That's been the one big issue we've had," noted Allen. "That's an area I pledged would be the first to improve and right now it's looking like the last place that needs improvement. It will get better."
Overall though, things are going great in Nashville considering where they were a year ago. Leading that charge has been a quartet of players brought in after last season ended.
"We have to credit Mike Green, Alexander Steen, Patric Hornqvist and Roberto Luongo a lot for our turn around," noted Allen.
Patric Hornqvist nd Mike Green are two big reasons for the turnaround of the Nashville Predators this season.
Indeed. Green sits second on the team in scoring with 45 points in 51 games, placing him fifth amongst WCHL blueliners. Steen and Hornqvist meanwhile, both acquired early in the season in a deal with the Boston Bruins, have combined for 35 goals and 77 points in 39 games being acquired, while Luongo has played all 40 games for Nashville since being picked up from the Carolina Hurricanes just prior to the Steen and Hornqvist deal, dramatically stabilizing things between the pipes for the Predators.
"We are sort of going through a rebuild or a retooling here with a focus on youth, but we needs veterans and leaders too and that's what these guys bring to us," noted Allen. "You can't just play with a bunch of young guys all the time. Ask Ryan (McClanahan, Colorado Avalanche GM).
Keeping it up in Nashville won't be easy, but so far, this season has been nothing but music to the ears of many fans. With nothing left to lose on a season already deemed a success, expect Nashville to be a darkhorse contender to at least make some noise come the playoffs, assuming they can hold on to make it that far.
"We'll do some damage. We'll show everyone that we can play with the big boys," said Luongo.
There's actually been something to cheer about in Nashville this season.
Unbeknownst to Nashivlle Predators fans, there actually is hockey played after the regular season.
Fans are getting a 101 course on this information in the wake of news that their team may actually make the post-season. Until recently, the Predtoars fans were only left with 'wild rumours' of playoff action. The WCHL Cup was long thought to be a piece of fiction, a tale from long ago of a prized possession long since swallowed up by time in a similar fashion to how San Jose Sharks General Manager Kurt Fulmore swallows... er, nevermind.
"We can't believe it. There's actually more hockey? Since when," questioned long-time Predators fan Ima Not Egirl, herself a long-time puck bunny. Considering the Predators haven't exactly been lighting things up very often in their history in the WCHL, she's had her share of 'consoling' to do over the years.
Even the ice girls are getting into it this year.
But here the Predators are, making big moves and even bigger strides up the standings. One season after finishing second last in the WCHL, the Predators sit fifth in the Western Conference and a full eight points ahead of ninth seeded Vancouver Canucks, with two games in hand.
"We like where we are at, but we still have work to do," acknowledged General Manager Trent Allen in his second season on the job. "To steal a line from Patrick Matthews (Pittsburgh Penguins GM) I've got a few holes to fill."
While Allen wouldn't go into what those holes were, the likely goal is to add another centre to the mix who is capable of playing on the top two lines. Alexander Steen and Lars Eller are currently holding down those two spots and Allen has expressed his desire in the past to move Steen to the wing while trying to move Eller to the third line where there is less pressure.
"Much like Ottawa Senators GM Noel Harrison, we spent most of last year trying to shore up a backend that was getting scored on repeatedly. I think we have done a great job there, but now we have to work harder at finding ways to score. Maybe we'll ask (Philadelphia Flyers GM) Doug (Van Strephen) about that, he's always trying to figure out how to score."
Oddly enough, the Predators are sitting just 28th in the lague on the penalty kill, something which has been a big issue for the PRedators dating back to before Allen even arrived.
"That's been the one big issue we've had," noted Allen. "That's an area I pledged would be the first to improve and right now it's looking like the last place that needs improvement. It will get better."
Overall though, things are going great in Nashville considering where they were a year ago. Leading that charge has been a quartet of players brought in after last season ended.
"We have to credit Mike Green, Alexander Steen, Patric Hornqvist and Roberto Luongo a lot for our turn around," noted Allen.
Patric Hornqvist nd Mike Green are two big reasons for the turnaround of the Nashville Predators this season.
Indeed. Green sits second on the team in scoring with 45 points in 51 games, placing him fifth amongst WCHL blueliners. Steen and Hornqvist meanwhile, both acquired early in the season in a deal with the Boston Bruins, have combined for 35 goals and 77 points in 39 games being acquired, while Luongo has played all 40 games for Nashville since being picked up from the Carolina Hurricanes just prior to the Steen and Hornqvist deal, dramatically stabilizing things between the pipes for the Predators.
"We are sort of going through a rebuild or a retooling here with a focus on youth, but we needs veterans and leaders too and that's what these guys bring to us," noted Allen. "You can't just play with a bunch of young guys all the time. Ask Ryan (McClanahan, Colorado Avalanche GM).
Keeping it up in Nashville won't be easy, but so far, this season has been nothing but music to the ears of many fans. With nothing left to lose on a season already deemed a success, expect Nashville to be a darkhorse contender to at least make some noise come the playoffs, assuming they can hold on to make it that far.
"We'll do some damage. We'll show everyone that we can play with the big boys," said Luongo.
