Big section on the Preds in today's 31 thoughts:
7. For the first time since Jan. 27, 1994, David Poile fired a coach in-season. (That was Jim Schoenfeld replacing Terry Murray in Washington.) A couple of non-Predators analytics people think Nashville’s underlying numbers are strong. For example, they are plus-20 at five-on-five — third in the NHL in goals in that situation, their 103 behind only Colorado (110) and Toronto (106). Because their power play is 23rd and penalty kill 29th, they are an ugly minus-19 in all other situations.
Recognizing that special teams can be delegated to assistants, New Jersey’s penalty kill was very good under Hynes. There were three top-10 appearances in his four full seasons, culminating with fourth overall in 2018-19. The power play fluctuated, finishing ninth in 2015-16 and 10th in 2017-18, but also 21st and 22nd.
8. It’s not hard to find reasons why Hynes was Nashville’s choice. The history with assistant GM Jeff Kealty. Poile’s closeness with Hynes’ former bosses in New Jersey, Ray Shero and Tom Fitzgerald, for a detailed breakdown. Poile has a loyalty to USA Hockey. There is, as with any situation where a coach is fired mid-contract, a financial factor, too. Peter Laviolette had next season remaining, at approximately $2.5 million. Peter DeBoer is above that number (the Predators never contacted San Jose for permission). Hynes, who had the same term in New Jersey as Laviolette had in Nashville, was just under $2 million. They have to pay all of Laviolette’s cash until he is hired elsewhere, and a chunk of Hynes’.
9. Hynes goes from one of the NHL’s youngest teams to its oldest. The Predators’ average age (28.7 at the start of the season) is two years above New Jersey’s. With a veteran group, I’m curious to see if he relaxes some of the rules he had for the Devils. Some of it relates to attire, some of it has to do with timelines.
10. As is to be expected, Poile was grumpy in his media availability. “This is the hardest year I’ve ever had because we’ve been totally unable to meet expectations on ice for our team and for our fans,” he said. “It’s our players. They have to make up their mind to play the way they can.”
The GM said last week he has to weigh the possibility of being a seller at the trade deadline, but that’s not what the Predators really want. We know Kyle Turris has been shopped. I’ve heard Craig Smith’s name, too, and you have to assume he’s tested the market on another UFA-to-be, Mikael Granlund. One name that would get traction is Nick Bonino, under contract for another season at $4.1 million. But it’s hard to see Nashville doing that while still contending to win.
11. Credit to Jeff Marek and Sportsnet Stats for this one, but only one team in the last two seasons has fired a coach when their goaltenders have a save percentage above .900. That’s Anaheim, at .906 last season. Laviolette’s Predators were at .889. Lowest was Dave Hakstol’s Flyers, .874. (Calgary and Dallas are not included.)
31 Thoughts: How recent Stanley Cup champions approached trade deadline - Sportsnet.ca