Three big mistakes cost Preds chance to win Cup

            David Poile, the longtime General Manager of the Nashville Predators has been credited and rightfully so with make some absolutely genius moves over the years. They consistently have 100-point seasons and for back-to-back years have won a playoff round 2 years in a row. But, since the 2012 NHL trade deadline, Poile made three errors, which likely cost them a chance at their first Stanley Cup.

Bringing back Alexander Radulov

            No one in his or her right mind would question the skill of Radulov. He’s often been called the best player outside of the NHL; but it’s the commitment and off ice antics that should have given Poile second and third thoughts. The Preds did not land a quality impact player at the deadline; so Poile felt it necessary to take a gamble and bring back Radulov; well that gamble failed miserably.

We’ve got Sergei lets bring in Andrei

            They had Sergei and thought it would be wise to bring brother Andrei into the fold. Well they found out the one Kostitsyn was better than the two of them combined. Once Radulov was brought back, Andrei was relegated to the third line and was not much of an impact. In round two of the playoffs, the Predators were the prohibited favorites over the Coyotes; that was before Andrei and Radulov decided to party all night long before game two. Talk about destroying the dressing room and the togetherness. Again it must be repeated, this was the best chance for the Preds to win a Championship. They then went onto loss in 5 games to Phoenix

Not getting assets for Ryan Suter

            I’m a 100% firm believer that if you have an asset (in Ryan Suter) that is not wanting to come back (willing talk extension for a contract) you must move that asset to get future assets in return. In this case Suter has gone to Minnesota and Nashville has nothing to show for it. Is it just me or was in not obvious that Suter had no interest is coming back to Nashville. Now a big hole is missing on the backend that weakens the team in many ways.

Won’t make same mistake twice

            They’re in the same boat as we speak with Shea Weber; 1 year away from being a unrestricted free agent. If the Preds don’t find a way to extend him now, you must then move him now. I would insist on a top six forward, top four defenseman, 2 first round picks and 1 top “A” can’t miss prospect. There would be no shortage of teams lining up for his services.

            For the record; some are saying why doesn’t Edmonton jump into the Weber sweepstakes? If I were Poile; the likes of Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky are absolute 100% a non-starter. Once the Oilers would be willing to include Nail Yakupov and/or Jordan Eberele than we’re talking.

            If the Preds lose Weber for nothing, like Suter; you’re then looking at struggling to make the top 8 in the Western Conference each and every year.

Sabres add much need size and toughness

            Amazing on how 48 hours can change the way a team can look. In this case it’s the Buffalo Sabres. On June 30^th @ 11:59pm; Buffalo was rightfully considered a small and soft hockey club who at times refused to protect their best players.

            Now less than 36 hours later; it’s the complete opposite and it’s all because of two acquisitions made by the hockey club. Despite not playing a how lot of minutes during the year, just the presence of 6’8 270 John Scott has changed the way teams would play them. Then on July 2, the team trades top six forward Derek Roy to Dallas for defenseman Adam Pardy and checking centerman Steve Ott. Some of you will say well the Sabres already had Patrick Kaleta (who plays similiar to Ott). The fact is Ott plays that way every shift in shift out, and is a much much more effective player than Kaleta. Ott will standup for his teammates; Kaleta will do it occasionsly.

            Consider this; you have a bottom six that consisted of Kaleta and Cody Mccormick; now add in Ott and Scott; even the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and/or Philadelphia Flyers have to pay more respect to the Sabres size and toughness. As we stated yesterday the days of running Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller are now over; it might start being the other way around.

Canucks add another overpaid ex Florida Panther

            Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden and Bobby Holik; those are just four examples of one team in the New York Rangers, that went for the homerun and struck out. Other teams annually make those mistakes; at least two or three teams have made a similar mistake over the past few days.

Canuck get third overpaid Panther

            Last week when the Calgary Flames signed veteran Dennis Wideman to a five year 5.25 million p/y deal; it set the table for Jason Garrison and soon to be signed de-man Matt Carle. Garrison signed with his hometown Vancouver Canucks for what some preserve was a “hometown discount”. Could he have made more than 4.6 million per year? Probably, but it was the six year term that I found shocking, keep in mind, no one else on day 1 of free-agency even got a five year deal, but the Canucks sign off on 6 years? The former Nanaimo Clipper will be entering his third full NHL season. Some will say well what about his 16 goals and 33 points? My comeback to that would be this, he had 3 goals since February 10^th this in the middle of the playoff attempts of then his team in Florida. People complain about Olli Jokinen about not being a clutch performer, add Garrison to that list. The one good thing about Garrison is this; in the 2010-11 season it was him and current Panther Mike Weaver as the shutdown pair for Florida. But again I will repeat this; you give a 27-year-old a six year deal; that’s played four pro seasons; half of which were in the AHL.

            Garrison will have some familiar faces; ex team-mates from Florida who are all overpaid and not going anywhere anytime soon. David Booth a one-time top six forward has three more years at 4.2 million. Then there is Keith Ballard who the Canucks cannot give away for free; again three seasons left at 4.2 million.

Habs cough up 10 million for Prust

            First things first; I have absolutely nothing against Brandon Prust; he’s this era’s Randy Mckay a forward that can play quality bottom six minutes, score 15 goals or more and can kill penalties. Prust got an average of 2.5 million for the next four years; including 3 million for 2012-13? I just hope he doesn’t come to regret signing this contract; meaning being buried in the AHL come year 3 or 4.

            But Prust is just what the doctor ordered in Montreal; he and Travis Moen give them a mean one-two punch.

Hudler gets 4x4

            I would like to say I’m surprised, but I wasn’t when Jiri Hudler got 4 million per for the next four years. That to me is allot of money for a guy who’s scored 20 goals twice along with 50 points. The hope obviously is that he takes it to the next level by centering Jarome Iginla.

Two other surprises on July 1; Alexei Ponikarvsky gets reunited with former line mate Nik Antropov and will make 1.8 million per year. Detroit brings back Mikael Sameulson they give him two years @ 3 million per; some even say he has a full no trade clause (not 100% confirmed).

Wild beefing up on fourth line

Wild days back again

            From the induction of the Minnesota Wild they also had a player or two that you don’t want to mess with; that philosophy changed for a few years but it appears those days are back. Matt Kassian who replaced Brad Staubitz late last season is back after signing a new two year, one-way deal. Then today they signed center Zenon Konopka to a similar two year, one way contract. Is it me are could these two with Darrell Powe could make the nastiest, toughest fourth line in the NHL.

Parros replacement

            The theme of the day continues on. Another tough guy has signed a two year, one way contract.            With Parros gone to Florida, the Ducks inked Brad Staubtiz, I was surprised he was given a two year guaranteed deal; he’s the likely out of the players not to complete the term of the deal.

Red Wings more abrasive

            The Detroit Red Wings have also been known as being a softer team with hardly and toughness or grit. Those days are slowly changing, especially now with Jordin Tootoo on board for the next three years. That combined with Todd Bertuzzi, Jonathan Erickson and Justin Abelkader means the Wings will have their toughest club in years.

Others new and notes in the West

            A few teams have brought back their enforcers. The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Darcy Hordichuk; he returns after only playing 41 games the previous season. Same can be said about for the Nashville Predators, as they are bringing back Brian McGrattan.

            Former Duck defenseman Sheldon Brookbank has signed a two year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks; this adds much needed spunk the to the Hawks backend.

             

Teams beefing up to face Bruins and others

            Some experts have thought the NHL tough guy was a dying breed, but thanks to the success of the Bruins and Kings over the past two years; that philosophy has been kyboshed at least for the time being.

Standing up to the B’s

Think of the past two-three years and how the Boston Bruins would run around against the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens (just to name a few). Well that will now change as both teams now have new Sheriffs in town.

            Milan Lucic’s days of running over Ryan Miller will stop; unless he wants to deal with 6’8 270 pound John Scott. The Sabres signed the forward/defenseman to a one-year 600k (one-way deal). With the exception of Cody Mccormick the Sabres have had no one else to do anything about anything. It’s obvious right from the outset of last year that the Sabres had a reputation of not standing up for their best players (remember Bryan Allen laying out Jason Pominville).

            The other club looking to stand-up to the B’s are the Habs; today they overpaid for former Ranger/Flame Brandon Prust. With Prust onboard long-term, the team also re-signed more grit in Travis Moen, Ryan White and Michael Blunden. They also signed Colby Armstrong, but I’m not as sold on his size and grit like people say he brings. The days of Lucic punching Carey Price are over as well; because with Prust more than anything; knows is role.

Two Eastern teams adding toughness

            If I were to ask you of two teams that needed to get tougher in the off-season; two of those teams at the top of the list would be the Panthers and Islanders.

            Despite being bought out by the New Jersey Devils last week; Eric Boulton has landed back on his feet by signing with the New York Islanders (1 yr, 600k, one-way). Joining his on the Island is defenseman Matt Carkner who inked a 3 yr 4.5 million yr deal. Both signings on day one of free agency; it’s quite clear the Isles are not going to be pushed around in the very tough, physical Atlantic Division.

            George Parros has found a new home and landed in South Florida; inking a two year offer with the Panthers. I was surprised by three things with this signing. It was said 90 minutes into free-agency that he had 2 or more offers. I’m surprised he would not get a three year contract and I also that he’d make over 1 million a year.

            Either way Florida wanted more of a presence in their line-up; guaranteed he will be the new fan favourite in Miami.

Rangers – Penguins add more toughness

            The Penguins have brought back ‘Big Mac’ Steve MacIntyre (two years, two-way) again he will play 15-20 games this year. Pittsburgh also added Tanner Glass, who gives them allot more versatility (toughness-penalty killing).

            Former Penguin Aaron Asham has landed on Manhattan, inking a two year (one million p/y deal).  Asham is the replacement for Prust, unlike Glass; Asham doesn’t kill penalties and likely will not start now. The Rangers also made a second signing; this one more intriguing. They inked former New York Islander sparkplug Michael Haley to a two-year deal; (year one is two way, year #2 is a one-way deal).