When Barry Trotz took over as the General Manager for the Nashville Predators, he believed the team had elite core players at forward, defense, and in goal. On today’s show we discuss and debate whether Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Juuse Saros are players who will help the Predators get back to contention. We debate what makes a goal scorer “elite” and lay out our argument for why Roman Josi is essential for this team’s immediate future. Finally, we discuss the stats and season Juuse Saros has had in net and if he is the right goaltender for Nashville moving forward.
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9 Comments
Hey ladies, I'll be interested for you to lay out your case here—and what I'll say is that part of the issue (and it''s not the only one) here is Barry Trotz took a risk on adding to this team with spending term and contract on Stamkos, Marchessault, Skjei, (also Wedgewood but he's gone now). Your premise is not wrong–Forsberg, Josi, and Juice are all good/great/elite players (you can debate what makes a player elite and the numbers that they put up). ELITE CENTER AND DEPTH (also what Trotz said WE DON'T HAVE THEM/IT). There is a difference between "depth" and "functional depth" I think there's a combo of things that have unraveled with this team—one of them is the fact that we have some young players on the roster and many on the farm in Milwaukee that thus far are career minor league AHL players (have not produced or emerged at the NHL level nor seem ready to replace a Forsberg or Josi, or Saros) and may not ever be full time NHL players (OR might only be 3rd/4th liners but when a Tomasino or Fabbro was drafted it was not to be a bottom paired defenseman or 3rd or 4th liner)–or in tryouts and evaluations they have not emerged as full time NHL replacement players. There are some guys that it's a case of "we don't know because they haven't played or got any run" and so it's a case of a plan that's really not serving NHL development and NOW because it's all kind of fallen to pot–they will get time on the ice to figure out if they should be a part of the future. Barry said that a lot of the young talent would be pushing and taking over for older players, well what I think is he's done with this "retool" is kind of walked straight into a rebuild whether anyone likes it or not. Could Bruno be coaching better? Yes. Should he be canned? I have no clue. Do the players all stink? I don't think so but also the kinds of things that an NHL playoff contender/Cup team needs IN addItion to just to whatever kind of "core" group (as in depth scoring, good waiver wire additions, way BETTER center play, and defense–and let's be honest..some dumb luck you have to have a little dumb luck sometimes in drafting and player acquisition) have all alluded the franchise. The defensive issue has completely dropped the bottom out of this team. a I'm not totally sure on that one…the other thing is Predators hockey and this is just my opinion, has always been about defense and goal tending..and when you change from David Poile to Trotz and now emphasize in the modern NHL a forward group that prioritizes speed and skill now just with ONE eliite, level, good winger in Forsberg but MANY (something that we have struggled to do even with Poile as far as drafting and developing) you are looking for a completely different type of player than what David Poile and the staff have been looking for—and not to completely bag on Poile..the three guys which are our "core" guys were found by him. He traded for Fil in one of the all time fleecings, and drafted Roman and Juice. Forwards? He's had a mixed bag of results. I think some of our young guys COULD develop (AND now they will) but we've lacked elite to even good level center play on this franchise for years, and quite frankly we get a chance at that type of player in the lottery (fingers crossed). Stamkos and Marchy–I get the veteran leaders but it's a case of the good to elite players we DO have having to carry the water and do WAY too much and that is not an efficient use of their roles. Stamkos, probably more suited to be on the wing, and having an elite/good center creating creases for him to get good shots in the slot—instead we've got our best offensive players doing everything and it's taxing them. I feel for Josi and Fil—but as we see in the NHL it's not just a "group of three" it's that "and a lot of other stuff"—we're top heavy.
Maybe! You’ll have to define elite.
Phil could be elite if he wasn’t so streaky, has all the talent and moves in the world just needs more consistency.
Despite some good spurts, neither Saros nor Josi have been elite this year, and Forsberg has been inconsistent as well. I'm not saying the Preds are ready to move on from these players – due to no movement clauses first and foremost – but it's time to find the next elite forward, defenceman and goaltender to build around. Saros is the only one who realistically could be moved, since his new contract doesn't kick in until this summer. But after the trade of Askarov, goaltending is the position least well stocked for the future – Annunen is a backup at best. The Preds need to move out some players at the deadline – Nyquist, McCarron and possibly a defenceman as well. If they can find a buyer, I'd move Stamkos out as well – there's too much money invested in him. The Preds must also use the upcoming draft wisely.
Ladies, I love you both – but if you believe Saros, Josi and Forsberg are still elite, and if you still think Stamkos can be a top-tier scorer, then you must put the blame for this year's dumpster fire on Andrew Brunette – and by extension, Barry Trotz who is still holding on to him.
I DO think that Saros, Forsberg and Josi (especially) are elite. Saros has NO help defensively, Forsberg has elite SKILLS, but he hasn’t had a great team around him to help him out. Josi…. Ya, nah… he’s still elite, but him having to babysit and deal with the defensive revolving door (looking at you, Justin Barron!), is hindering his abilities to be a great Captain.
As a jets fan from winnipeg the preds will not make the playoffs so how about sending forsberg to the jets for some draft picks 😮
Despite some good spurts, neither Saros nor Josi have been elite this year, and Forsberg has been inconsistent as well. I'm not saying the Preds are ready to move on from these players – due to no movement clauses first and foremost – but it's time to find the next elite forward, defenceman and goaltender to build around. Saros is the only one who realistically could be moved, since his new contract doesn't kick in until this summer Go preds.
Players don't win cups. Teams win cups! Building your roster around a few "pillars" and expecting them to magically carry the team is totally self-destructive. BUILD A TEAM THAT DOESN'T NEED TO BE CARRIED!!!