Paul McCann: Positions in review - Forwards

Paul McCann: Positions in review - Forwards
- pmccann

Wayne Simmonds: Well, he managed tie Zac Rinaldo in scoring!

Pauly,

was wondering if u can do a review of manscaped ? saw a ad for it and u seem like a hairy guy who trims up his ballfro. would appreiciate the help

thank u for ur service,
slopperplop

I'm going to stray away from the obvious here... We all know what we have with JOFA and what's going on with Turris. I think Granlund can still be a decent player for the Preds, if they keep him around, if they can get the right pieces to play around him. Like Joey, he's more facilitator than pure goal scorer. (Yeah I know. Another one of those) Hard to judge him too while he was stuck playing with Turris most of his time here. I'm trying not to blame Kyle for all of the Preds offensive woes, but everyone that played with him this year did seem to get swallowed into his vortex of suck. I've always liked Smith... He still possesses the work ethic a lot of this team seems to have lost, even if the results aren't always there. It seem silly to criticize a guy who consistently scores twenty goals, but it's some of the quietest 20 goal seasons I've ever seen, especially this year. I don't know if it's because they're too spread out, if most of the goals just weren't scored when it matters, or if it's because he seems to go completely invisible when not scoring... Something's off there, and I really have no idea what it is, let alone how to describe it. His production and his talent don't seem to match up with what I see on the ice from him much of the time.

I agree with your comment concerning certain members of the bottom six reaching their ceilings, I thought the exact same thing at the end of the season. I also agree, that it's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wonder if it might be time to swap out a couple of those guys for new blood. It's not a talent or performance issue either, but more of a culture and chemistry issue. (Not so much locker room as on ice) This team looked soft, and a lot of us have questioned their worth ethic down the stretch. It might not be a bad idea to mix things up and get a couple guys in their who are a little hungrier and not so content, and who can do some different things. That's why Grimaldi stands out on the bottom six... He brings a different element other than just the standard grit and grind. I'm fine with Bones, I like his play defensively. He's probably overpaid for his production, but you could have much worse in that role. If they want to keep Jarnkrok, that's fine as long as they keep him on the 4th line playing a defensive game, and stop this nonsense of trying to squeeze him on the 2nd or 3rd line. He's never going to produce offense consistently, and with Fiala gone, he's now the poster boy for the Predator's smallish forwards who get shoved around by bigger stronger players. We all know what Watson can bring, and I worry we've probably seen Sissons at his peak. I wouldn't mind seeing Boyle stick around as long as it's strictly as a 4th line role player.

So, essentially, a longer offseason will suddenly turn the team around.

I'm thinking that pretty much everyone except Fabbro and Saros have reached a ceiling. It's fine for the JOFA line, but everyone else? It's a problem.

I'm going to go full chicken little here, I think there has to be some big moves in the off season. They've gone with essentially the same roster for the past three years, we went from the Finals, to the second round, to the first round. That's a downward trend folks. Crossing your fingers and hoping it changes without actually making any changes is the definition of insanity. So what can we do?

1. Add size. It's painfully clear that other teams take advantage of our size and we get tossed around a lot. A LOT.

2. Add skill. We need a top six scorer (said every year since 1998).

3. Defense. To quote the Beatles, "What ever happened to, that life that we once knew..." Do we even play defense anymore? Someone's going to have to be moved, we can't accommodate everyone. So, see ya, Ellis and possibly PK. Let's get back to actually having that dominating D. It'll help if the forwards would, you know, score, so number 2 will be essential to help the defense.

4. Coaching. I'm pretty sure that something needs to change here, but all indications are that the status quo will be maintained. That's too bad, because someone should lose their job over the power play alone.

If the team has peaked and most hit their ceiling, then he should coach to the talent on the ice, not forcing them to a system that they can't maintain. Has the team tuned Lavy out? The next year will be interesting. What are the odds if they suck out of the gate he makes it to the All Star break?

They should move some players to create cap room, I mentioned Ellis and PK. Ellis because he's a liability and PK because his name alone would garner attention, and that's a card we can play. Free up space, get bigger and some scoring punch. Simple, right?

Pauly,

was wondering if u can do a review of manscaped ? saw a ad for it and u seem like a hairy guy who trims up his ballfro. would appreiciate the help

thank u for ur service,
slopperplop
- sodapop31

That may cost you but...

So, essentially, a longer offseason will suddenly turn the team around.

I'm thinking that pretty much everyone except Fabbro and Saros have reached a ceiling. It's fine for the JOFA line, but everyone else? It's a problem.

I'm going to go full chicken little here, I think there has to be some big moves in the off season. They've gone with essentially the same roster for the past three years, we went from the Finals, to the second round, to the first round. That's a downward trend folks. Crossing your fingers and hoping it changes without actually making any changes is the definition of insanity. So what can we do?

1. Add size. It's painfully clear that other teams take advantage of our size and we get tossed around a lot. A LOT.

2. Add skill. We need a top six scorer (said every year since 1998).

3. Defense. To quote the Beatles, "What ever happened to, that life that we once knew..." Do we even play defense anymore? Someone's going to have to be moved, we can't accommodate everyone. So, see ya, Ellis and possibly PK. Let's get back to actually having that dominating D. It'll help if the forwards would, you know, score, so number 2 will be essential to help the defense.

4. Coaching. I'm pretty sure that something needs to change here, but all indications are that the status quo will be maintained. That's too bad, because someone should lose their job over the power play alone.

If the team has peaked and most hit their ceiling, then he should coach to the talent on the ice, not forcing them to a system that they can't maintain. Has the team tuned Lavy out? The next year will be interesting. What are the odds if they suck out of the gate he makes it to the All Star break?

They should move some players to create cap room, I mentioned Ellis and PK. Ellis because he's a liability and PK because his name alone would garner attention, and that's a card we can play. Free up space, get bigger and some scoring punch. Simple, right?

- FoxMulder

I'm hoping Paul's next blog is on coaching.

This staff did not have control over this team. As stated previously, they played soft most of the season and played hard every game for 30 minutes.
Chemistry is huge but more importantly this team in the playoffs was not a "TEAM".
The cup finals a couple years ago was not expected, the Preds jelled together as a "TEAM" that season. Was it because of Fisher as captain? Was it just 24 guy's with no ego's? Was it no pressure of expectations? Maybe a bit of everything. This front office, coaching staff and players have their work to do.

I'm hoping Paul's next blog is on coaching.

This staff did not have control over this team. As stated previously, they played soft most of the season and played hard every game for 30 minutes.
Chemistry is huge but more importantly this team in the playoffs was not a "TEAM".
The cup finals a couple years ago was not expected, the Preds jelled together as a "TEAM" that season. Was it because of Fisher as captain? Was it just 24 guy's with no ego's? Was it no pressure of expectations? Maybe a bit of everything. This front office, coaching staff and players have their work to do.
- wrister

I think last year was a combination of entitlement and complacency. This year? Sure, injuries were an issue at one point, but they clearly deteriorated as the season went on. Something was off. Can you imagine the season if Arvy wasn't available?

Like you said, about 30 minutes a game of what we expect as "Predator Hockey", the rest reminded me of the Preds circa 2001.

I think two trades and one UFA signing (and one re-signing) could vastly improve this roster. Here is how it could work:

1. Trade Ellis to Toronto for Zach Hyman. You get a mid-level forward for a top-2 D-man, and the Preds knock $4MM off the salary cap. That's a reasonable salary for a top D-man, and it's one element Toronto lacks.

2. Trade Turris to Vancouver for Tanev. Retain $1MM per year of Turris' salary. Tanev replaces Ellis on the D, and the Preds net a savings of $1MM per year against the cap.

3. Preds sign UFA Matt Duchene for 4 years x $7.5MM. Preds re-sign Boyle for $2.25MM. With the cap growth, that allows them to sign Josi to a 4 year extension for $8.5MM per year.

Then your team looks like this:

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Smith-Duchene-Granlund
Sissons-Bonino-Hyman
Boyle-Jarnkrok-Grimaldi (Watson)

Josi-Tanev
Subban-Eckholm
Hamhuis-Fabbro

Rinne/Saros

That's a way better roster. And it fits under the cap with your key pieces signed long term.

We need players who can score goals and dish out assists.

RyJo, our top point producer, slides in at #65 in league total regular season points. Boston has 4 players ahead of RyJO and SJS has 5 players in the top 64. Seems like a strong indicator for success.

I think two trades and one UFA signing (and one re-signing) could vastly improve this roster. Here is how it could work:

1. Trade Ellis to Toronto for Zach Hyman. You get a mid-level forward for a top-2 D-man, and the Preds knock $4MM off the salary cap. That's a reasonable salary for a top D-man, and it's one element Toronto lacks.

2. Trade Turris to Vancouver for Tanev. Retain $1MM per year of Turris' salary. Tanev replaces Ellis on the D, and the Preds net a savings of $1MM per year against the cap.

3. Preds sign UFA Matt Duchene for 4 years x $7.5MM. Preds re-sign Boyle for $2.25MM. With the cap growth, that allows them to sign Josi to a 4 year extension for $8.5MM per year.



Then your team looks like this:

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Smith-Duchene-Granlund
Sissons-Bonino-Hyman
Boyle-Jarnkrok-Grimaldi (Watson

Josi-Tanev
Subban-Eckholm
Hamhuis-Fabbro

Rinne/Saros

That's a way better roster. And it fits under the cap with your key pieces signed long term.
- holycow_75

Toronto can't afford Ellis. They have major cap issues.

I think two trades and one UFA signing (and one re-signing) could vastly improve this roster. Here is how it could work:

1. Trade Ellis to Toronto for Zach Hyman. You get a mid-level forward for a top-2 D-man, and the Preds knock $4MM off the salary cap. That's a reasonable salary for a top D-man, and it's one element Toronto lacks.

2. Trade Turris to Vancouver for Tanev. Retain $1MM per year of Turris' salary. Tanev replaces Ellis on the D, and the Preds net a savings of $1MM per year against the cap.

3. Preds sign UFA Matt Duchene for 4 years x $7.5MM. Preds re-sign Boyle for $2.25MM. With the cap growth, that allows them to sign Josi to a 4 year extension for $8.5MM per year.

Then your team looks like this:

Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Smith-Duchene-Granlund
Sissons-Bonino-Hyman
Boyle-Jarnkrok-Grimaldi (Watson)

Josi-Tanev
Subban-Eckholm
Hamhuis-Fabbro

Rinne/Saros

That's a way better roster. And it fits under the cap with your key pieces signed long term.
- holycow_75

I applaud you for trying to come up with some off-season ideas with some thought put into it rather than just screaming 'trade this guy I don't like', but the trades in your scenario aren't really feasible. Toronto is in cap Hades, and they still have to resign Marner to a potentially massive cap hit. A trade with them isn't going to work unless it's money for money. Turris for Tanev? I don't know why on Earth Vancouver would do that. Poile would have to pull some serious voodoo to make that deal happen. I'm afraid, if Poile does manage to move Turris, he's not going to get much value in return. Turris has ZERO value right now, but getting his salary off the books is the most important thing... Then again, it just takes one crazy GM who feels he can fix Kyle or something, so never say never I guess.

I do see Poile going after Duchene though. He's been stalking the guy for two years now, I don't see why he'd stop now when he's on the open market. From what I hear, Duchene does have some interest in playing here, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Poile is going to have to find some cap space, if there's even a remote chance of that happening though.

I applaud you for trying to come up with some off-season ideas with some thought put into it rather than just screaming 'trade this guy I don't like', but the trades in your scenario aren't really feasible. Toronto is in cap Hades, and they still have to resign Marner to a potentially massive cap hit. A trade with them isn't going to work unless it's money for money. Turris for Tanev? I don't know why on Earth Vancouver would do that. Poile would have to pull some serious voodoo to make that deal happen. I'm afraid, if Poile does manage to move Turris, he's not going to get much value in return. Turris has ZERO value right now, but getting his salary off the books is the most important thing... Then again, it just takes one crazy GM who feels he can fix Kyle or something, so never say never I guess.

I do see Poile going after Duchene though. He's been stalking the guy for two years now, I don't see why he'd stop now when he's on the open market. From what I hear, Duchene does have some interest in playing here, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Poile is going to have to find some cap space, if there's even a remote chance of that happening though.
- Squatchy

That's why, even though some don't like to hear it, PK is our best bet. He has value, name recognition and can possibly get a good return. Ellis has a good rep in the league and I think there would be a few teams interested. I'm afraid we're stuck with Turris, at this point we can only hope he snaps out of it or ride it out to the trade deadline and dump him. Who knows, by then we may be sellers anyway.

That's why, even though some don't like to hear it, PK is our best bet. He has value, name recognition and can possibly get a good return. Ellis has a good rep in the league and I think there would be a few teams interested. I'm afraid we're stuck with Turris, at this point we can only hope he snaps out of it or ride it out to the trade deadline and dump him. Who knows, by then we may be sellers anyway.
- FoxMulder

Subban, Ellis to L.A for Kopitar , LaDue and L.A's first round pick.