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Apologies for the delay since my last article. Life happens.
February saw the Preds have a tough run but finish strong as we now enter trade deadline month with Poile and the front office having a lot of big decisions to make over the next 3 weeks. As I previously mentioned, February had some awesome events with the Rinne jersey retirement ceremony and the Stadium Series game. Other than that, the Preds’ schedule was quite minimal having only played 8 games. We’ve become acquainted to recognizing that this team needs to have a tough, busy schedule as long breaks seem to get them out of a groove resulting in, at times, extended losing streaks.
The Pekka jersey retirement and Stadium Series both were absolutely fantastic. Seeing old Preds from Scottie Upshall and Jordan TooToo to Shea Weber, Kimmo Timonen and others brought back so many memories from growing up in this incredible town. I’m sure all of you were brought immediately back to certain games, engagements, or otherwise when seeing those old faces appear back in Bridgestone after so long. I could write a book about all the memories that immediately came back to me after seeing all the old video clips and seeing those guys back in Nashville. What an absolutely incredible weekend. Nashville, our home, never ceases to amaze me.
The Preds February resulted in a record of 4-4 for a total of 8 points out of a possible 16 with the results of each game below:
Canucks W 4-2
@ Stars W 4-3
Jets L 5-2
Caps L 4-1
@ Hurricanes L 5-3
@ Panthers W 6-4
Stars SOW 2-1
Lightning L 3-2
With the season extending a bit later into April this year, we officially have 2 months remaining of the regular season with the Preds currently sitting 4th in the Central and 6th in the Western Conference with a record of 30-19-4 for 64 points in 53 games. It’s undeniable that the Central division is the toughest division in hockey right now and it will be a grind for the remaining of the season. The ability of this team to keep pushing through hard times, as seen in the 3-game losing streak last month, and then come back with 2 strong performances for victories again the Panthers in south Florida and Dallas at home demonstrates strong resolve and that this team’s grit can get them through some physical, hard fought encounters. The team is currently playing hard-nosed playoff hockey already, a style they have tried to continue to develop under Hynes, especially this year.
The main question remains is what to do with Forsberg. Whether or not the Preds ink a deal with Forsberg prior to the deadline is not entirely material. As I do not see Poile taking any risks of getting nothing back for Forsberg and keeping him beyond the deadline, unless something is strongly believed to be done. The question is, where is the value long term? Forsberg will definitely ask and rightfully earn in the eyes of most a deal that exceeds the $8m AAV of Duchene and Johansen, but Poile will most certainly refrain from exceeding the $9.059m AAV of Josi. A happy medium would be around $8.5m and this will absolutely be an 8-year term if done. Forsberg is entering his UFA years and he will want to get paid and also have security, along with trade protections. The Preds have traditionally not done such no-trade deals but the recent changes to that rule for Josi and Duchene will make Forsberg fall into that category of “exceptions.” Duchene’s is a modified on the back end of his deal, while Josi’s is a full no move. (Courtesy of Capfriendly).
Although I thought that this team would be quite competitive this year, I believe we are all surprised at how competitive they have become. Poile must be the most surprised as this has taken his being on the cusp of tearing it all down to competitive rebuild to being a playoff competitive team all full circle. How much is really here? Although not the same, this team down have some nice similarities to the 2017 Cup Final team where the stars obviously had big showings but the players deeper in the lineup were putting up consistent numbers and providing the long-desired secondary scoring, or even primary scoring, that Preds fans have always sought after but never truly received. Forsberg is stepping up, Duchene and Johanesn as well. But look at Jeannot making a great Calder argument, Trenin using his big frame to punish opposing defenders and getting on the scoresheet too, Sissons being solid as always. Tomasino is finding the back of the net here and there but both Tomasino and Tolvanen have some development to do but getting on the scoresheet here and there does wonders for their confidence and helping them fill a deeper role down the lineup, not necessarily putting up big numbers but not being a significant liability either. It’s even becoming evident that McCarron is putting in the extra work with his skating and puck control being significantly better since he entered the lineup earlier this season. The defense is the major concern with Fabbro working hard but still not quite there with his skill. He’s working hard and his hockey sense is always top notch but windows close much quicker in the NHL, but I think he is progressing and being paired with Josi for the most part is doing wonders for his development. Josi had a rough February, but he’s a world class player and he will most certainly bounce back and have a strong next two months. With injuries and also other defensive concerns, the bottom 4 still possess a lot of unknowns with players being shifted in and out of the lineup. The affection Hynes has for Harpur is not abundantly clear for me, but size matters in the Hynes style of play and Harpur did not perform poorly at the Stadium Series. There’s a time and place for his presence. I really want Myers to show his true abilities. I really like his style, but the hesitancy and perhaps lack of confidence by not being in the lineup consistently is becoming apparent when he’s gripping the stick a bit too tight and forcing the puck instead of slowing the game down.
As I said, tonight opens a new month for the Preds as they travel to Seattle to take on the Kraken. These 2 points are a must. Another month similar to February with no back-to-backs but with a total of 14 games with 7 on the road and 7 at home. A winning record in this month will really let us see where the Preds are positioned as the last month and playoffs approach. There are 9 games before the March 21 deadline with a tenth game coming on March 21 in Anaheim.
I’ve been on the train to sell Forsberg regardless of our positioning. I think from a hockey perspective this may make the most sense, IF, and only if, the price is substantial. However, as a fan and I think from a business perspective as well, keeping Forsberg may be the best decision if come March 21 the Preds are strongly within playoff contention. Even just one round of playoffs will do wonders for the business side of the Preds organization and knowing that Forsberg is staying will, at least in the short term, invigorate the Preds fan base. What that would mean if Forsberg does not re-sign, or even if he does at a large cap hit, for the team’s viability long term is a different story. You would have four players taking up substantial amount of your cap with Josi at 9.059, Joey and Duchene at 8, and then Forsberg somewhere likely in between.
But then again this is just me talking and I really don’t know what I would do. If I were to bet on it, I would say Forsberg wants to stay and something will get done.
Nonetheless, I want playoff hockey! Crazier things have happened, and I think the raw physicality in conjunction with the genuine skill in front of a goaltender who is arguably one of the best, if not the best, in the league right now. Many argue that this type of style will cause teams to fizzle out as the end of the season approaches, but I think that Hynes has built this team to be prepared. They will have off nights, but through 53 games, the physicality has not slowed.
Time will tell.
Nashville Predators Blogger • 
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