Preds' Success Falls Short of Goals
By Buddy Oakes
By any account, the Nashville Predator’s 2009-2010 season was a success. In the pre-season, hockey experts did not expect the Preds to make the playoffs or even to be competitive in the tough Western Conference.
By the end of the year, the Predators had compiled a 47-29-6 record that was good for 100 points and seventh place in the conference.
This was the fifth straight year for a 40-win season, a streak that only five other NHL teams can claim.
The Predator’s success during the season was based on a team concept, since the Preds had few stars or top scorers - even according to Trotz.
“We had a concept at the start of the year called ‘all in’ where everyone has to contribute,” Barry Trotz explained.
“That’s the only way our franchise can be successful.”
This year’s team was Trotz’s favourite in the Predator’s 12-year history.
“We found ways to win. We got key goals from people that you didn’t expect. When people went into slumps, other lines picked it up. We just found a way.
"This group was a special group. This team had more character than any we have had.”
In the pre-season, the team had three goals: Return to the playoffs, win a playoff road game, and make it to second round.
The Preds accomplished the first two, but fell short on the third. The Predators faced a tough Chicago Blackhawks team in the playoffs and played toe to toe with them, until the Preds lost a lead.
This happened with 14 seconds left in game five, on a horrible play, where they gave up a short-handed goal to Patrick Kane and then lost in overtime.
The Hawks finished off the Preds last Monday at the Bridgestone Arena.
The highlight of the post-season has been Barry Trotz’s nomination for the Jack Adams Award.
“I am humbled by that (nomination)," explained Trotz.
“I am the one guy that believes that any success we have as an organization is through the team.
"The Jack Adams is not only a reflection of my coaching staff, but also our management staff, our trainers, the scouts, and the players since they are the ones who get it done.”
The future of the Predators is bright. They have two of the best defencemen in the league with Olympians Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Pekka Rinne is one of the best young goaltenders in the NHL and will continue to improve for several years.
On the offensive side, the Predators have a great mix of veterans like Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan, as well as youngsters like Patric Hornqvist, who scored 30 goals in a breakout season, and rookie Colin Wilson who got better every game.
“The strength of our team and it’s future is home grown players that grew up in the organization and matured into NHL players, Trotz said.
“We are proud of the ones we have and have and know there are more on the way.”
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