What grade would you give the Predators Off-season?

Sports Illustrated's Alan Muir has released his off-season grades for each of the Western Conference teams.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/allan_muir/08/28/western-conference-grades/index.html?sct=nhl_t12_a0

(Thanks to Evanbio for posting this in the comments of another thread!)

This got me to thinking about how I would grade the teams off-season to this point, and how others here might grade it as well. So let's do just that after the jump.

Sports Illustrated's Alan Muir has released his off-season grades for each of the Western Conference teams.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/allan_muir/08/28/western-conference-grades/index.html?sct=nhl_t12_a0

(Thanks to Evanbio for posting this in the comments of another thread!)

This got me to thinking about how I would grade the teams off-season to this point, and how others here might grade it as well. So let's do just that after the jump.

So I read Muir's post and was amazed in some of his grades of other teams, but they don't really concern me because I am a Predators fan. Although I will admit that giving the Blue Jackets a B- does cause one to take all of this with a grain of salt, but I thought the article made for an interesting read in an otherwise dull period of hockey news. I thought he was pretty close with his assessment of the Predators off-season. Lets look at the meat of evaluation of the Predators offseason.

First:

Ryan Suter's gone, taking his 26:30 average ice time and 25 power play points (both third in the NHL) with him. There's no way incoming veteran Scott Hannan and the team's young prospects can backfill that kind of presence.

I would say that that is a pretty accurate statement. It is going to take a pretty good step forward for a player like Josi to fill those shoes. Is he capable of doing so? It is possible, but that is a lot to put on a second year player. Suter was able to put up some significant numbers in his second year, but he was not relied on to be a top pair defenseman as we are going to ask Josi to do. I do not expect to see Josi become Suter over 1 summer. He has a lot of potential, but that is all it is at this point. Potential.

Second:

Poile wisely jettisoned malcontent forwards Alex Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, but has yet to land a top-six forward to pick up the slack. Topped off by a first-rounder sacrificed in the Paul Gaustad deal, this summer marked a huge step backwards for a franchise that was on the verge of something big.

It is almost like he was reading a certain bear's posts on this very blog. I do not see how it could be argued that we do not need to add more offense to this team. It also cannot be argued that losing Radulov, Kostitsyn, and Suter leaves this a less talented team than what was iced in the playoffs, and I think that is the key here. This team did nothing to make itself better this off-season.

Looking at the points above I find myself being forced to agree with Muir. This off-season for the Predators is sitting a firm D in my opinion. We lost an all-star d-man and have done nothing to address his lost, or the lack of a top 6 forward. The good news here is that the off-season isn't over. There is still time to sign/trade for another d-man or forward, but the D looks pretty accurate to this point.

What do you think? What grade would you give the Predators off-season so far?

Happy Birthday, Martin Erat

Once known to the #Preds Nation Twitterati as "Spinderella," or the guy who has prompted FOX Sports color commentator Terry Crisp to shout "Head on a swivel!" on air more than any other player, today OtF sends big, bad birthday greetings to Preds winger Martin Erat. Drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 7th round in 1999 (191st overall), the Czech Republic native, who turns 31 years old today, has evolved over time to become a stalwart contributor in the Preds' score-by-committee approach, using his deft speed and soft hands to rack up impressive offensive numbers throughout his pro career. Follow after the jump for a "Marty Party" on memory lane.

It's important to bring up Erat's perennial linemate David Legwand (who celebrated a birthday himself just 12 days ago) because, according to the folks at Hockey-Reference.com, Erat's career numbers are second only to Legwand's franchise records in several categories, including:

• Games Played (687 to Legwand's 846)
• Goals (159 to Legwand's 188), including Even Strength Goals (116 to Legwand's 149) and Game Winning Goals (25 to Legwand's 37)
• Assists (301 to Legwand's 313)
• Points (460 to Legwand's 501)

Following Erat's professional debut on the "Vowel Line," on which Denis Arkhipov centered him and Vladimir Orszagh, the Legwand-Erat duo has been as consistent and complementary as chocolate and peanut butter, even if their third linemate hasn't been the same guy. (Personal note: I was always a fan of the "Czech Line" of Erat, Radek Bonk, and Jan Hlavac, used in late-period situations to leverage speed and possession to wear down other teams; Erat was the only member of this line to help the Czech Republic en route to a Bronze Medal finish in the 2006 Winter Olympics.) Erat is also presently the Preds' most potent power play threat, seeing power play time for 207 goals with the man advantage in his NHL career (former Preds captain Kimmo Timonen holds the franchise record with 328; David Legwand unsurprisingly trails closely behind with 200). Both Legwand and Erat have spent their entire careers with Nashville.

With the passage of time, the normally stoic Erat has clearly become more confident in his role as a top six forward, as evidenced by this awesome footage of his game winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, and his ensuing celebration (from December 23, 2011 at Bridgestone Arena; footage courtesy of the NHL's "NHLVideo" YouTube channel):

On a personal note, I met Martin Erat on an October night in 2002 at the Greenhouse Bar on Bandywood Drive in Green Hills. He, Andreas Johansson, and Vladmir Orszagh stopped in one night while I was enjoying a cocktail, and invited me from across the bar to have a drink with them. Why me? Well, I had bleached my hair blond in preparation for Halloween -- I was slated to work a cash bar at the Greenhouse's Halloween party that year, and I decided to go as recording artist Eminem. Apparently Marty, Vlad, and AJ are big fans of the controversial Detroit rapper, and all thought I bore a cleverly striking resemblance to Mr. Mathers. Suffice it to say that three of the four of us remember most of the encounter, and one of us scarcely remembers the ride home. (Pro tip: don't drink with professional athletes unless you're also one.)

What's your favorite Martin Erat highlight and/or personal anecdote? Drop a comment below and join us in wishing #10 a Happy 31st!

NHL CBA Negotiations take a step forward

(SB Nation) -- Good news on the NHL CBA front? Gary Bettman, Donald Fehr and other big wigs from the NHL and the NHL Players' Association met on two separate occasions Tuesday in New York, where the league submitted a modified proposal to the union and the overall tone of talks seemed much more optimistic than in weeks prior.

Neither Fehr or Bettman would comment on the proposal in detail, but the NHL commissioner did say that there was "significant and meaningful movement" on the league's side involving core economic issues. He also noted that the sides are "not far apart on revenue sharing." We'll have to wait and see whether or not the union agrees, but unlike the NHL's prior offer, one that was viewed as a slap in the face from the owners to the players, this one could at least begin the discussion.

"It's a proposal we intend to respond to," Fehr said.

The NHLPA will take the evening to fully review the proposal. The sides will again meet at the NHL's offices in Manhattan on Wednesday. Talks are currently scheduled each day through Friday.

The Look of Hockey: Wednesday's notes

Yes, of course we have a number of updates from the NHL CBA talks for you this morning (did the owners' latest proposal represent genuine movement, or was that over-hyped?), but we then move on to consider the more artistic elements of the game. So follow after the jump as we bask in the glow of glorious hockey hair, goalie masks, and some new threads for Team USA...

Join us Tuesday, September 4 at Sam's Sports Grill for the OTF Meetup!

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL offer calls for eventual drop to 50-50 share – USATODAY.com
Most will zero in on that "50-50" bit as reason for optimism, although what the "100" represents is open to question, if the owners redefine what qualifies as Hockey Related Revenue.

NHL proposes new deal to players’ association during ongoing labour talks - The Globe and Mail
Was the owners' latest offer really that much of a move?

CBA talks: How I think the players see it | Dallas Stars Blog
Mike Heika shares the players' concern over the narrow band between salary cap & floor that was initially proposed by the owners.

CBA talks: How I think the owners see it | Dallas Stars Blog
Meanwhile, the owners share memories of financial losses both past & present.

Canes Now - CBA's fatal flaw was apparent eight years ago | newsobserver.com blogs
Yup, if the owners can squeeze the players hard enough, increased revenue sharing won't matter quite so much.

Down Goes Brown: Winners and losers from the NHL offseason
"Losers: Nashville Predators – While it’s always inspirational when the franchise’s star player believes the team is ready to soar upwards in the standings, some teammates are starting to worry that that’s not the actual meaning of that "Flyers 4ever" tattoo Shea Weber keeps trying to hide from everyone."

Female hockey icons Hayley Wickenheiser, Angela Ruggiero among newest legends in NHL 13 | Puck Daddy
A nice nod to the women's game here.

A History of Hockey Hair In Hockey Culture - The Hockey Writers
For guys who wear helmets all the time, hockey players' hair draws major attention.

An In-Depth Look At Goalie Mask Airbrush Art | The Hockey Writers
These things sure have come a long way over the years.

USA Hockey Unveils All-American Prospect Jerseys | The United States of Hockey
What do you think, salute-worthy?

Lowetide.ca | OMARK TO ZUG
Linus Omark, the skilled winger who dazzled at times for Edmonton, heads back over to Europe.

Join us at the OTF Meetup - September 4 at Sam's Sports Grill

Sure, we may not know exactly when the NHL season will start, but as hockey fans, we can start getting in shape with our own training camp right now.

So I am happy to announce the first OTF Meetup, an opportunity for all of us to get together over drinks & food at one of the finest sports bars in all the land!

Where: Sam's Sports Grill in Hillsboro Village (1803 21st Avenue South)

When: Tuesday, September 4 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

What You Need To Do: RSVP via our Facebook Event. If you're not on Facebook, please email me (the.forechecker@gmail.com) separately, but I need to give Sam's a heads-up on how many people we're expecting, so please RSVP!

Sam's is going to make a fantastic venue for events like this, and we're looking to do some viewing parties there during the season. They are regular winners in the Best of Nashville, and just finished 2nd in the 2012 Toast of Music City poll for Best Sports Bar. I attended a recent Nashcocktail event there and can vouch for the quality of the atmosphere, the drink specials, and the grub - all are outstanding!

Follow @SamsSportsGrill

Eat, Drink, Be Merry, and Win Stuff

There will be some light appetizers available to get us started (courtesy of Sam's), in addition to drink specials and some nifty giveaways, including a gift card to Harlow Salon (that's where the Preds Dancers & Ice Girls go, don't ya know) and a rather cool bit of Nashville Predators memorabilia that I'm chipping in.

And, in order to reward reading comprehension for those of you who have made it this far, let's kick off the festivities with a giveaway. I will award a FREE $10 gift card to Sam's (you can use it at any of their 3 locations) which I will hand out randomly to anyone who leaves a comment on this post containing the magic code word OTFSAMS by midnight Central tonight (August 27, 2012). Just one entry per person, please.

So who's ready for a meetup???

Shea Weber speaks as NHL CBA Talks to resume in New York: Tuesday's notes

All eyes will be on the latest round of NHL CBA talks, which are slated for later today. Any chance that the logjam breaks and the two sides come outside singing show tunes together? Nah, I don't think so either, but a fan can hope. Our hockey notes start today with Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber, and his take on how things are moving along...

Join us Tuesday, September 4 at Sam's Sports Grill for an OTF Meetup!

Nashville Predators News

First up, Shea Weber talks with CBC's Daybreak program about the CBA negotiations and assorted Nashville notes:

Who the Lockout or Shortened Season Will Hurt the Most | The Predatorial
Jeremy points out the cost to local individuals and businesses which would come from each game lost.

Who’s ready for more BIG NEWS? The Predatorial is teaming up with Sam’s Sports Grill in Murfreesboro! | The Predatorial
For those of you in the 'Boro, there will be some viewing parties down there, too. Remember, we're holding an OTF Meetup at their Nashville location.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Bettman, Daly and Fehr ready to reopen NHL contract talks - The Globe and Mail
The talks are supposed to get rolling again today in New York. Will the wheels just spin, or will there be movement by either side?

NHL CBA Meetings: When Do We Know We're in Trouble? - Lighthouse Hockey
I'd say about 3-4 weeks from now, that's when regular season games would have to start being cancelled.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Marty St. Louis says he'll play in Europe in event of NHL lockout - Tampa Bay Times
Unlike some of the Preds who Jeremy of Section 303 talked to the other day, Lightning players are openly planning on heading across the pond. If the players want to have any leverage during a lockout, they'll need to earn money somewhere.

Taking Sides | Backhand Shelf
E argues that getting emotionally invested in the CBA battle can, possibly, matter.

How media coverage, public opinion are shaping NHL talks - SportsBusiness Journal
The players may be winning the PR battle, but the owners don't seem to care.

NBC Sports Network To Get Boost From Channel Relocation - Awful Announcing
Make no mistake, this could provide a nice shot in the arm for NBC Sports' ratings, moving them into the neighborhood of other sports channels and the likes of HGTV, Cooking Channel, etc.

NCAA Might Combine Division III Title Game with Frozen Four " Hockey World Blog
An interesting idea to raise visibility for the D3 schools, but obstacles remain.

If You See Something, Say Something Officials PSA | Homeland Security
Refs from the NHL and other major pro sports all chipped in for a new public service announcement.

Following the Money: The Effect of the 2005 CBA on Forward Salaries | mc79hockey.com

Tyler takes a deep dive into the trends which have affected salaries over the last seven years.

Glendale, NHL extend Phoenix Coyotes arena agreement for fourth time - AZCentral.com
Another minor extension while the paperwork on a franchise sale gets completed?

The Shootout – A Roundtable Discussion on the NHL | Overtime
A number of questions to keep your hockey brain humming.

Can Ryan Murray Make An Immediate Impact in Columbus? | The Hockey Writers
Will the #2 overall pick play a major role on the Blue Jackets' defense this season?

How risky is the Taylor Hall contract? | Backhand Shelf
Taylor Hall is dogged by talk of him being injury prone, but is it fair? He had his faced sliced up pretty badly in a freak warmup accident, for example.

Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey: The Top 100 players for 2012-13 | Puck Daddy
My lesson to you regarding Fantasy Hockey? Generic "Top 100" lists are meaningless. Your draft board needs to consider the specific scoring categories used by your league.

Swedish league player Eric Przepiorka punches coach, gets promotion, sparks conspiracy theory | Puck Daddy
Do NOT try this at your workplace.

Who is the Greatest #25 in Nashville Predators history?

Our series continues to #25. Though we only have three candidates, this is the most popular number amongst Russian players who have ever donned a Predators jersey.

Sergei Krivokrasov

The first Sergei to have played for the Predators joined the team in the 98-99 season after a stint with the Russian Olympic squad in Nagano, Japan, which made it all the way to the gold medal game before losing 1-0 to the Czech Republic. Krivoskrasov proved to be a very important addition for the Preds, scoring 25 goals and 48 points during his first season with them. He set team records not only for most scored goals scored, but most powerplay goals registered (10). He also served as their representative at the 1999 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa. The next season was not as productive for Krivoskrasov, scoring only 9 goals, 17 points, and accumulating a -7 +/-rating. Upper management decided to dump Krivoskrasov at the Trade Deadline, trading him to the Calgary Flames for Cale Hulse and a third-round selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Denis Arkhipov

The first Denis to play for the Predators (the second being Denis Grebeshkov), Arkhipov was selected 60th overall in the third round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. In his first season for the Preds, he split his time with between Nashville and Milwaukee before becoming a regular in Music City the following season. He played in all 82 games with a career high of 20 goals and 42 points. He ended up leading the Predators in goals, game-winning goals (6) and shooting percentage (16.9%). Arkhipov centered the "Vowel Line" which also included, Vladimír Országh on right wing, and Martin Erat at left wing. Arkhipov continued two more seasons with the Predators, scoring 20 goals and 56 points during that span. When the NHL Lockout hit the following season, Arkhipov returned to his homeland for a year before signing as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks. He would never reach the same level he had attained with the Predators.

Jerred Smithson

Smithson spent a greater length of time (approximately 8 seasons) with the Predators organization than our other two candidates, coming from the Los Angeles Kings in the offseason before the NHL Lockout. After a season with the Admirals, Smithson was quickly promoted to 501 Broadway. In 8 seasons with the Predators, he amassed 35 goals and 81 points, proving himself to be a reliable and prudent checker. Smithson's claim to fame, of course, is scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs to beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. This milestone entirely changed the Predators' destiny, as this was the first Game 5 they had ever won in the Playoffs, the first game they had ever won in overtime in the Playoffs, and the first time they were going back home ahead 3-2. This win gave the Predators the confidence to finish off Anaheim the following game and proceed to play in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. After 53 games in the 11-12 season, Smithson was traded to the Florida Panthers for a 2012 6^th round draft pick due to a slump in his productivity.

Poll

Who is the Greatest #25 in Nashville Predators history?

• Denis Arkhipov
• Sergei Krivokrasov
• Jerred Smithson

  132 votes | Results