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"My Take On The Preds"
TN • United States • 40 Years Old • Male
So far I have touched on the defense (I think we are good), goaltending (bold prediction...I think we are great) and now comes the offense.

I have saved the most difficult for last. Let me say up front that offensively I think we are going to have problems. I am not blaming all this on Radulov's journey back to play for the Russian mafia but we will miss his 26 goals for sure. I am also not blaming this on the growing prospect that we will never see Steve Sullivan in a Preds uniform, or any uniform for that matter, again. We made it through without him last year so I can't blame him.

The fact is that the Preds did nothing to bring in a goal producer. Before you go shooting at me I understand that these type of players don't grow on trees...they are tough to find. I know that but we did nothing. Yes Joel Ward is a great story. The emergence of some of our young prospects (Rich Peverley, Patric Hornqvist, Ryan Jones) is exciting but is it the answer?

Who Needs To Step Up:
Jason Arnott - We need him to be solid, strong and to not afraid to park his big body in front of the net.

JP Dumont - If the Preds are going to make the playoffs for the fifth straight year I think that JP will have to have a career year. We will need him to produce like never before!

Jordin Tootoo - It is time for his game to go to the next level. I have been a huge supporter of his and continue to be but it is time for him to show up on the offensive side. 15-20 goals is you don't mind Jordin.

The Young Guns - Rich Peverley, Patric Hornqvist, and Ryan Jones need to show us why they made the roster out of camp. You need not look further than Chicago last year to see the impact that talented young players can have. The Emergence of two of these guys will give us a huge boost.

Overall Prediction: As much as I want to say that the Preds will make the playoffs again I just don't think we will see it this year. Too many other teams got stronger while the Preds seemed to have taken a step back. Until we see someone replace Radulov's output and someone else step up we are destined to finish somewhere between 9-11 in the west.

Please let me be wrong...Please!
Filed Under:   predators   predictions   predjoe   arnott   dumont   tootoo  
October 10, 2008 2:55 PM ET | Delete
No "official" predictions out there have us making the playoffs either, so the consensus is set. Now it's up to the team to prove everyone wrong. Would be nice, wouldn't it? It's also up to us to do the best we can to support the franchise with ticket sales and a season that exceeds expectations will certainly help. Go Preds!
October 10, 2008 3:46 PM ET | Delete
As usual Bluline you are right on the money. By now means did I mean to imply that I was alone in thinking that the Preds were not a playoff team...I think that there are some who think that as fans you should always tow the company line. I will do that (tow the company line) by going to games and blogging about my team. I hope that people get out to the games and support our boys win or lose.
October 10, 2008 4:51 PM ET | Delete
I'm with ya buddy. Here's to a new season.
October 11, 2008 3:32 PM ET | Delete
Arnott: He got his money. He is now worried about his post NHL life Isotoner commercial. Stand in front of the net and sacrifice for the good of the team: No Chance in Hell.Dumont: He is a special, special player, but asking him to singlehandedly carry us into the playoffs with a career year is unfair. The Pens didn't ask Crosby to carry the entire load, he has Malkin. The Wings have Holmstrom, Datsyuk, and countless others.Tootoo: Blame Trotz. Blame Trotz. Blame Trotz. If "No Neck (he is an underrated coach in my opinion) would put Toots in a position to help us offensively he would. The guy should be on Legs and Erats line. Young guns: Peverly needs to contribute early allowing Jones and Hornqvist to get the routine, but please please don't bury Jones on the fourth line.Playoff team by the skin of our teeth and at the expense of Ellis' rapid weight loss program.
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