Observations XX

[FossilFndr]

I'm starting to hate idiot ass CBJ fans again....

Specifics?

We all prep for the season in different ways.

 

[Pred303]

I've always hated Columbus more than any other team.

 

[Armourboy]

Apparently the Preds are going to be on NBC channels 12 times this year. Guess we are moving up in the world.

 

[MrJoshua]

Not going to lie, I am pretty excited about this season. A full season with Turris in the 2C role. Getting to see what Tolvanen has to offer. Finding out if Hamhuis can really improve the third defensive pairing. Watching to see if Saros can continue to mature and take on a stronger workload.

There are definitely some question marks, but it's going to be fun watching things play out. The last couple of seasons have been really special, and this season looks primed to continue that trend.

 

[predfan24]

#NHLTopPlayers: Top 20 Defensemen

NHL.com puts out their list for the Top 20 D-men.

Pretty terrible rankings IMO but three Preds made it. Subban #5, Josi #7, Ellis #20

Initial thoughts are:

Suter too low
Ekholm is better than Ellis, Mcavoy (at this point), Hamilton
Ekholm didn't even make defensman on the bubble while guys like Barrie did.
Ellis probably shouldn't be on the list
Hamilton is not top 20
List seriously has Letang, Werenski, Byflugien, and Klingberg above Suter

 

[predfan24]

Not going to lie, I am pretty excited about this season. A full season with Turris in the 2C role. Getting to see what Tolvanen has to offer. Finding out if Hamhuis can really improve the third defensive pairing. Watching to see if Saros can continue to mature and take on a stronger workload.

There are definitely some question marks, but it's going to be fun watching things play out. The last couple of seasons have been really special, and this season looks primed to continue that trend.

Yep, honestly I'm most excited about Tolvanen. He is the shiny new toy. Realistically, I know there is a good chance that there might be a steep learning curve for him. However, you can't help but think if the coaches find ways to deploy him in situations where he can succeed he could really impress. As far as player personnel goes Tolvanen is probably the toughest challenge the coaches face this season.

He is really the only question mark. We are basically playing with the same team we were last year. All Hamhuis has to do is be as good as Emelin. I have no doubt that will happen. The Preds will be good again in the regular season. I don't expect them to be as motivated for the regular season and as such don't expect them to win the Pres trophy, conference, and division.

As far as things to look forward to in the regular season I want to see:

* If Forsberg can cement himself as a top tier W. I want to see him play a whole year and flirt with PPG. If there is ever a time for him to take the next step it feels like it should be now

* Can Joey increase his regular season production?

* Is Fiala a 20-25 goal, 50 point guy? Or is there still another level he can reach?

* Now that Bonino and Turris are settled in will they show more? We don't have the elite guys at the center position but on paper we have a pretty ideal 1 - 4 centermen. I'd like to see a little bit more out of Turris and Bones.

* How will goaltending duties be split?

* And of course Tolvanen

 

[NightowlPred]

#NHLTopPlayers: Top 20 Defensemen

NHL.com puts out their list for the Top 20 D-men.

Pretty terrible rankings IMO but three Preds made it. Subban #5, Josi #7, Ellis #20

Initial thoughts are:

Suter too low
Ekholm is better than Ellis, Mcavoy (at this point), Hamilton
Ekholm didn't even make defensman on the bubble while guys like Barrie did.
Ellis probably shouldn't be on the list
Hamilton is not top 20
List seriously has Letang, Werenski, Byflugien, and Klingberg above Suter

Man that list...ugghhh..now DP will have to offer Ryan an extra 0.5 per year.

 

[Pred303]

great list predfan, pretty much my thought process on all of it as well.

 

[MrJoshua]

A little surprised Weber wasn't on that top 20 list, but he's out injured and it's a "right now" list, so maybe that explains it. Otherwise I still consider a healthy Weber a top-20 defender.

That said, how about 5 past or present Preds making up a full quarter of the list? Subban, Josi, and Ellis, plus Jones and Suter. Should have named the team the Nashville Defense Factory.

 

[PredsV82]

I guess with Tolvanen coming up, Salomaki signed and Gadreau in the wings we have plenty of options if Watson is suspended for a long stretch or is gone for good.... but Joel Ward is unsigned... think hed be a great add on a cheap deal if we had a spot.

And we already have our reunion tour player signed I suppose

 

[FossilFndr]

Was setting up an age lookup in excel and noticed that Forsberg's birthday is today, he is 24. Team average is 27. I've got scars more than twice that age.

Eeli Tolvanen	19
Kevin Fiala	22
Juuse Saros	23
Ryan Hartman	24
Filip Forsberg (A)	24
Colton Sissons	25
Viktor Arvidsson	25
Miikka Salomaki	25
Ryan Johansen (A)	26
Austin Watson	27
Calle Jarnkrok	27
Ryan Ellis (A)	28
Anthony Bitetto	28
Roman Josi (C)	28
Mattias Ekholm (A)	28
Craig Smith	29
Kyle Turris	29
P.K. Subban	29
Yannick Weber	30
Nick Bonino	30
Matt Irwin	31
Dan Hamhuis	36
Pekka Rinne	36

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[GoldOnGold]

Was setting up an age lookup in excel and noticed that Forsberg's birthday is today, he is 24. Team average is 27. I've got scars more than twice that age.

Eeli Tolvanen	19
Kevin Fiala	22
Juuse Saros	23
Ryan Hartman	24
Filip Forsberg (A)	24
Colton Sissons	25
Viktor Arvidsson	25
Miikka Salomaki	25
Ryan Johansen (A)	26
Austin Watson	27
Calle Jarnkrok	27
Ryan Ellis (A)	28
Anthony Bitetto	28
Roman Josi (C)	28
Mattias Ekholm (A)	28
Craig Smith	29
Kyle Turris	29
P.K. Subban	29
Yannick Weber	30
Nick Bonino	30
Matt Irwin	31
Dan Hamhuis	36
Pekka Rinne	36

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Age-wise our forwards look good for a long time, with Arvidsson, Fiala, Tolvanen, Forsberg, and Johansen. If Saros pans out goal will be good too. Defense is worrying.

 

[MrJoshua]

Age-wise our forwards look good for a long time, with Arvidsson, Fiala, Tolvanen, Forsberg, and Johansen. If Saros pans out goal will be good too. Defense is worrying.

We definitely need to be focused on adding defensive talent via the draft to refill that pipeline.

 

[GoldOnGold]

We definitely need to be focused on adding defensive talent via the draft to refill that pipeline.

Hopefully we'll keep our 1st this coming season

 

[Pred303]

well, looks like the 23 man roster is all but set and it's just mid august. never seen fewer questions on the roster this early in our history. only roster puzzle now is how long watson is suspended for and whether gaudreau takes his spot and is the perma-scratch while he's gone.

still not a big fan of carrying 8 defensemen and only 13 forwards full time. but looks like poile is comfortable with it..

 

[MrJoshua]

still not a big fan of carrying 8 defensemen and only 13 forwards full time. but looks like poile is comfortable with it..

All I can figure is, Poile doesn't trust ANYONE we have in the AHL as a defensive call-up, so he doesn't want to risk any possibility of Bitetto getting claimed if he tries to send him down.

 

[PredsV82]

We have nobody that would benefit from playing in Milwaukee on D so might as well keep them. My question is can we replace Watson during his suspension or do we have to have only 22? I seem to recall we weren't allowed to call up a replacement for Forsberg.

 

[Armourboy]

We have nobody that would benefit from playing in Milwaukee on D so might as well keep them. My question is can we replace Watson during his suspension or do we have to have only 22? I seem to recall we weren't allowed to call up a replacement for Forsberg.

This one might be a bit different as it wasn't for anything on the ice. Guess we will see though.

 

[BigFatCat999]

still not a big fan of carrying 8 defensemen and only 13 forwards full time. but looks like poile is comfortable with it..

I fully agree with you on this. It will reduce the wear and tear on the defensemen during practice but I like having more forwards than d-men.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Not sure where to put this, but it's interesting.

 

[BigFatCat999]

Not sure where to put this, but it's interesting.

I think it shows the player is shooting a lot

 

[Legionnaire11]

I think it shows the player is shooting a lot

And playing a lot of games. In the last three seasons, 7 posts for Forsberg is less than once per series.

 

[NoNecksCurse]

And playing a lot of games. In the last three seasons, 7 posts for Forsberg is less than once per series.

is that what happens when you make it to the big leagues?

 

[BigFatCat999]

You want to know who Toronto fans think is the biggest threat? Look to see who's getting the worst trades on the trad forums. Saros? You want Saros? nope.

 

[Armourboy]

God some of the Saros threads just makes you pound your head on your desk from the stupidity. That said, there are some equally stupid threads from other fan bases as well. It would take a pretty clear overpayment to get him from Poile and even then it's probably going to include a proven goalie they think can handle things for the next 5-6 years coming back.