On the Forecheck
A little less conversation, a little more action please!
by Forechecker on 01/07/09 at 12:38 PM ET
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How does one sum up the mighty Nashville Predators offense these days? Perhaps the late John McKay, coach of the 2nd-most hapless team in NFL history, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said it best when asked about his team’s execution: “I think it’s a good idea.”
Execution (or more properly the lack thereof) was the key in last night’s awful 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, considering the fact that Nashville took 70 Total Shots to Colorado’s 38, a margin that genuinely reflects the flow of the game. The Preds buzzed around the zone and fired plenty of pucks, but fully two-thirds of them were either blocked or sent wide of the goal.
Ordinarily one might shake off such an effort, calling it an inevitable fluke along the 82-game marathon that is the NHL regular season. Given the struggles this offense has shown over the last month, however, it’s clear that fundamental problems are dogging this team, which has few options available to address them.
Even with the return of Steve Sullivan providing some reason for optimism, frustration is mounting with what is seen as inaction in the face of long-term problems. Check out the following quotes from Barry Trotz:
December 29: While discussing which players would dress on defense, Trotz was quoted as saying that he was “not happy with one of his veterans.” Even through last night, however, none of the top five defenseman has had to sit out a game.
January 1, after a 2-1 loss at home to Vancouver: “One of the things we have to look at it is that we have some guys in Milwaukee going really good and we’re going to have to shake some things up here,’’ Trotz said. “We’ve got to win some hockey games. I think this is a real important stretch from now until the all-star break for us.’‘
January 2, prior to losing a late lead to Calgary the next day: ”...we need to turn things around … we are looking at (Milwaukee) and if we are not better tomorrow we will look at it even harder.”
January 5: “I might bring one, I might not bring any, but I am tending to say if we are going to bring anybody we will bring two guys because both of them have earned the right to get another opportunity and other guys have fallen into the pack,” (just hours later, only one player, Ryan Jones, was recalled from Milwaukee).
January 6, after losing 2-1 to Colorado: “I think (Santorelli’s) time is coming around the corner,” Trotz said. “There’s no question, unless we can get this turned around in a hurry.”
As the poets say, Barry, $&%! or get off the pot already!
With word this morning that Scott Nichol won’t be back soon from the concussion he suffered December 9 against Vancouver, there is a gaping hole at center; Rich Peverley (2G, 7A in 27 games) has failed to provide scoring punch, and appears woefully tentative handling and passing the puck in the offensive zone. David Legwand is on pace for a 36 point season, even underperforming my limited offensive expectations.
Given the financial constraints that David Poile has to operate within, it’s obvious that swinging a headline-grabbing trade is exceedingly unlikely (would Doug Weight fit the bill, however? Pretty please?). Even if such a deal were possible, it’s only prudent to give your top prospect a shot before exploring those options.
The path appears clear; get Mike Santorelli up here, put him in a position to contribute offensively by putting him on the 2nd line alongside either Martin Erat or J.P. Dumont, and stick David Legwand on a checking line, where he can still provide value to the team. Rotate your underperforming wingers through the press box until they earn a regular spot in the lineup.
Many would say that a mediocre team like the one we’re seeing these days should pack it in and go for a higher pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. With the Predators, however, competing on the ice and making the playoffs are crucial to building a fan base, achieving revenue sharing goals, and hitting the break-even point financially. This isn’t a team that can afford to bleed out for a couple years for a total rebuild, and frankly, they don’t need to. The core of the squad is solid, mostly young, and affordable. Depth is what this team is lacking, and even a healthy Steve Sullivan won’t cure that problem alone. Expecting him to do so is placing far too great a burden on that tender back.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: barry+trotz, mike+santorelli,
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