We have such thin talent on our roster than we can’t afford to sit anyone who is even remotely talented. So, never bench Erat, Legwand, JP, Sully, Arnie, Weber and Suter. Even if they keep taking stupid penalties vs the Wings. Or the Senators. Bonk, Ward, Jones and Fids should never play above our 3rd line.

Posted by PredNeck from Hicktown on 02/19/09 at 10:55 AM ET

Ok, maybe not never. Jones could round into a decent 2nd liner. Ward too.

Posted by PredNeck from Hicktown on 02/19/09 at 10:56 AM ET

I agree with PredNeck. I do not think that team can afford to sacrifice any of the thin offensive talent they have. Right now, the only difference between Nashville and Columbus is the consistent offensive threat of Rick Nash. Otherwise, Nashville boasts a more talented defense corps, and while Steve Mason is really incredible, Rinne has shown that he’s capable of stopping pucks at that high level.

Three teams will get in the playoffs from the Central. Detroit and Chicago are locks. If the Preds could land a talented forward in a trade in return for picks/prospects (I’m not sure what assets they have here, you guys would know better if this is really feasible), I think they are a better team than Columbus simply because of the strength of their D, especially the high quality they get out of Weber in both ends of the rink and Suter’s ice time.

Perhaps one good thing came from last night—Sullivan buried his first two goals. If he gets going on the scoresheet, he might just give the Preds the offensive boost—especially on the power play—that they need to really fight it out with the BJs.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/19/09 at 11:18 AM ET

Oh, forgot to mention, the Dumont injury is a big problem. But if Sullivan really gets going, maybe it would be enough even if JP is out for a while. As a Wings fan, I used to fear him on the PP when we’d play you guys (before his back injury). If he gets closer to that form, at least on the PP, I think he and Weber could really ignite the power play and give Rinne and that good defense the support they need.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/19/09 at 11:20 AM ET

As a Wings fan, I used to fear him

Used to, hell… that jerk just got done hanging two on Detroit last night ferchrissakes.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/19/09 at 12:53 PM ET

The one point I’d add is that the current mindset that Arnott, Dumont, Legwand & Erat are “unbenchable” might undermine the urgency for the rest of the forwards to contribute offensively.

Posted by Forechecker from Nolensville, TN on 02/19/09 at 01:38 PM ET

The one point I’d add is that the current mindset that Arnott, Dumont, Legwand & Erat are “unbenchable” might undermine the urgency for the rest of the forwards to contribute offensively.

I get your point here, from a mental aspect. But the Preds seem to be in an unfortunate position where if they bench even one of those guys to send a message, they’re stripping the cupboard clean of what little offensive bite they have.

If you look at the split stats for those guys, they’ve all been somewhat consistent on a month-to-month basis, suggesting to me none of them have slumped too bad. Erat is the biggest candidate, IMO, for a benching since he’s only got two points this month, and has seemed (from my admittedly ignorant perspective) to be streaky his whole career.

In the end, I don’t think benching these guys is a solution. I think the best chance is for the team to hope that Sullivan rekindles some of the magic he had now that he’s getting close to game shape. That just might provide the offensive boost they need, especially on the power play. If you look at his ‘03-‘04 and ‘05-‘06 production with Nashville, he was a power play beast (50% of his goals on the PP). The way the games are called today, a guy that can be effective on the PP can wake up a team’s offense, especially a team like Nashville that has a very good keeper and arguably one of the five or so top defenses.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/19/09 at 04:37 PM ET