I won’t use the word panic, but extreme concern is definitely warranted as the Predators take on the Phoenix Coyotes tomorrow, a game that will end a horrendous November that saw the team drop from leading the division to 13th in the conference. Nashville has a 4-6-2 record for the month heading into the game. The Predators have certainly squandered a good start to the 2010-2011 campaign, that start is the only reason this team is only four points out of the playoff mix as of this writing.

25% of the season down, it is always a good time to review what is going on with the team. At 22 games the Predators are 9-8-5 for 23 points. They are tied with Toronto for 27th in the league in Goals Scored per game at 2.18, that stat doesn’t surprise anyone, the team was expected to be goal challenged. Special teams continue to be an issue as the power play continues to be ranked at the bottom few in the league. The team has seen inconsistent goaltending at times and inconsistent play on the blueline as well.

The biggest issue in this observer’s mind is the injuries. Nashville has lost 62 man-games to injuries so far this season. Marcel Goc has missed six games, Martin Erat seven, David Legwand five, Matthew Lombardi has missed twenty. Ryan Suter, eleven. Key personnel that have really left the team hamstrung. To me, the loss of David Legwand is huge, Ryan Suter even more so. These are two key cogs in the Predators shutdown machine. Legwand always gets the big stick from the opponent and usually does an excellent job limiting. Suter’s absence is felt on special teams as well as five-on-five play as I think it has Shea Weber trying to do too much on the lead d-pair.

The greatest success this season so far is from a marketing and stability perspective. Purchasing the piece of the team that was in bankruptcy, improving attendance, much sharper marketing… all are big wins. Last season the team had four sellouts, this year, the team has had four sellouts in the first two months. The marketing team has been maniacally focused on ticket sales and it is already showing results. Corporate sponsorships are up and one of the biggest things I see as an improvement is the organization’s increased involvement at the youth hockey level. CEO Jeff Cogen has deep experience here as he was part of the Dallas organization that wrote the book on building rinks and driving more players, which in turn drives more fans.

Play on the ice has to improve to continue these wins.

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Keep an eye out for the December edition of Tennessee Sport Magazine, a new publication, Tennessee’s most comprehensive sports publication covering armature to professional sports, with in depth features and player profiles. The December edition features my cover story on the Nordic towers in net for the Nashville Predators. You can pick up your FREE copy today at Borders, Blue Coast Burrito, your local YMCA, Dicks Sporting Goods , Academy Sports and other participating locations.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

This week’s SlapShot Radio is Thursday night (Preds are in Columbus on Wednesday) and we will be chatting up Greg “Puck Daddy” Wyshynski. We will preview Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes and we will go Behind the Bench with a member of the Predators coaching staff.
For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website.

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