Official Nashville Predators Thread

#3,784
#3,784
Here's the pre draft ranking from ESPN on our pick

6. Kevin Fiala | LW | HV71 (SHL)
DOB: 7/22/96 | 2013-14 stats: 17 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 10 PIM

The next great Swiss prospect, Fiala really started to turn heads from about December on. He had a strong World Junior Championship and under-18 World Championship, started playing top-six minutes in the SHL, putting up a ton of points in the process. In terms of points per game, he had the second-highest rate in the SHL among under-18 players in modern history, behind Peter Forsberg. He can make highlight-reel plays with the puck, and he's also a really good passer with great hockey IQ, and doesn't seem to turn the puck over. On the power play, Fiala is the kind of player you want controlling the puck and starting the puck movement. He's 5-11, and while that isn't ideal, he does battle hard and has a lot of drive to his game. Fiala needs to improve his defensive positioning.

Ranking explanation: Fiala is a better if not much better skater than Draisaitl, with better pure skill and hands. They're close in terms of hockey sense and vision, with Draisaitl having a massive advantage in terms of size and physical game. All decisions within a tier are tough, but what made me lean toward Fiala is how he differentiated himself: He looks unique on the ice and had a unique season. That stands out to me since one of the main purposes of the draft for teams is obtaining stars as opposed to good/very good players who can be more easily gained through free agency. I'm not saying Leon can't be the former -- he very well could be -- but Fiala looks like that possibility is greater for him, even if he carries more risk. Draisaitl looks like a standard top-end 18-year-old prospect.
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#3,789
#3,789
Wow Poile fleeced another team. I love Hornqvist & Spals was starting to play well around the dirty areas but Nashville definitely wins this trade.
 
#3,791
#3,791
Poile came across as both frustrated and whiny re: Spezza. Supposedly it's not totally dead, but on life support.

There's absolutely 0% chance I'd trade next season's #1 unless I was absolutely sure I'd be in the playoffs, with the possible lottery changes and the kids at the top of the pile.
 
#3,793
#3,793
A lot of Nashville fans really need to calm their tits right now. Eveeybody on HF are losing their minds over this. Jokinen obviously isn't Poile's choice for the #1C that they need.

It's just a depth signing & at a good price at that.
 
#3,794
#3,794
amazingGRACE said:
A lot of Nashville fans really need to calm their tits right now. Eveeybody on HF are losing their minds over this. Jokinen obviously isn't Poile's choice for the #1C that they need.

It's just a depth signing & at a good price at that.
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Not bad at all for the price. I figured Broadway Brad might've been an option too before he went to the Hawks
 
#3,798
#3,798
I haven't been following the preds lately but listening to sports talk radio in Nashville they're making it sound like we might as well not have a team because we'll never compete for a cup with all the top free agents putting us on their no trade lists. I give the Preds credit for hanging on when Atlanta couldn't keep the thrashers. However it has been close to two decades and they haven't really done much to impress. What exactly is their goal as a franchise? Do they really expect anyone to believe that they're devoting the resources necessary to contend for the cup? I guess this is the plight of small market teams in lots of major sports.
 
#3,799
#3,799
Maybe this is the bias in me but I think Nashville is actually a lot closer to contend than the average hockey fan thinks.

They have a top 5 goalie in the league in Rinne, arguably the best defenseman in the game in Weber, & one of the best young group of defensemen with Jones, Josi, Ekholm & Ellis.

They went out & got a top line goal scorer that they've needed for a long time in Neal & they have a few good young forwards that have shown major potential in Smith, Wilson, Forsberg & Jarnkrok. Fiala, Leipsic & Aberg have a chance to be a good as well.

If they could land a top line center to play with Neal, without giving up the farm, I think the Preds could honestly be really really good within the next few years.
 
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#3,800
#3,800
If Carolina and Tampa Bay can win a cup so can Nashville. I have no problem with big free agents not wanting to come to Nashville. I'd bet most of their no trade lists include Carolina and Tampa Bay. The problem was partly coaching(I appreciate what Trotz did) but you need to score to win. Drafting better offensive players would be a plus too. I think it's easier to keep "home grown" talent in the NHL as compared to other leagues IMO.
 
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