Frustrations have been rising among the Preds faithful since around November 2019. But those frustrations were more so linked to the normal ebbs and flows of a typical fandom as opposed to absolute disgust. The team and the city were trying to chase the Cup, a taste that remained on the tip of Nashville’s tongue throughout Laviolette’s tenure. But the taste went unrealized leading Poile to pull the plug with the remaining belief that this core could achieve the ultimate prize. Enter stage right John Hynes. The hiring of Hynes was very strange and very sudden. There was no waiting period or interim tag to do a full search. This means Poile had his guy before Laviolette was shown the door. A few days later, COVID shut down the season, so it was natural (to some, not all) to give Hynes a bit more time to work out the growing pains through the bubble tournament and the COVID shortened season. Those teams played hard, and it was a hard time for everyone, so, sure, we will let it slide. The Coyotes loss was embarrassing, the Carolina loss was more competitive and, at the least, enjoyable.
Then came the 2021-2022 season. Finally, back to “normal.” Players had career years and there was a little hope, but it was abundantly clear that the team was not all-in-all good enough to compete. Players having career years and you barely crawl into the playoffs to then get utterly dominated by the to-be champs, Avs. I attended games 3 and 4 and was on the edge of my seat for game 4, not because I thought we’d win the series but simply because I wanted to see a game 5 for just a little more time to watch my team play hockey. Playoff hockey is awesome, but we all know it is always more enjoyable watching your team.
Now we enter 2022-2023. I liked the moves we made this summer and believed that the team could be somewhat competitive. The additions of McDonaugh and Nino were strong. They’re good players and two that you want to have on your roster. But the results are nowhere close to encouraging this year from an all-around team perspective. How comical is it that Poile goes on the radio and says well none of our players are having career years this year? If you need players to have career years to even be an average team, then wake up! The team is not good. Teams that win, sure may have a few guys having career years, but in the grand scheme of things they are clicking as a collective and buying into a system that makes everyone succeed.
Then comes the loss to Boston on Thursday night. Sean Henry seemed to think that it was an important moment to determine that the Preds can hang with the best in the league. Hate to break it to you, Sean, but the Preds are nowhere close to being on par with the best. It’s time to stop carrying water for those making the decisions and call them out.
Perhaps management, coaching and the organization as a whole would be on the same page as the fans, but the fire chants are rather mute. Then again, maybe the fans are chanting but are drowned out by the cheers of opposing fans. Maybe we should bribe the Boston crowd next time they’re in town to chant for us. They were mighty loud and made up a good 80% of fans during the outing. Losing 5-0 to one of the best teams in the league is embarrassing, but that number doesn’t do justice for how much of a mismatch it truly was for 60 minutes. The fan throwing the catfish on the ice while the puck was in play summed it up quite well and I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I’ve seen some articles and heard numerous fans discuss the performance of some of the players, such as Granlund. I think this has to do more with the system, or lack thereof, than any fall off from any certain players. It’s a trend we see with some coaches. At first, a new way of viewing things permits players to open up and have stellar years but then that strategy becomes dull and repetitive, and the career years turn into rather displeasing results going forward. Hynes’ style is just that. We saw the same thing in New Jersey. Taylor Hall, for example, had a career year in 2017-18, won the Hart Trophy, and the Devils squeaked into the playoffs to only be dominated by the Lightning in five games. Interestingly enough, the Devils finished with 97 points and 5th in their division that year, exactly as the Preds did last season. While I will never root for someone to fail or for someone to lose their job, if past is prologue, the future does not look bright for this franchise. Substantial changes are needed. And needed quick.
The Preds ought to be full sellers at the deadline and going forward into the summer. There should no longer be certain players labeled as untouchables as no one has earned that right (well except for those that have it in their contract). It goes without saying that the players are good humans and are professionals who work extremely hard, but the business side of things should take over with the long-term sustainability of the franchise at the forefront.
But regardless of the future, the season shall go on. Preds take on Florida here shortly for a 1pm CST start. I’ll always root for my team and for a win. The frustrations remain, but so does my fandom. Go Preds!
Nashville Predators Blogger • 
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