Clay Brewer: Five Games Left, Hopes Still Alive

Any feedback on Issac Ratcliffe’s play with Milwaukee? I’m a Flyers fan and always had high hopes for him but Torts cut him early in training camp and he fell off a cliff with our AHL team.

Any feedback on Issac Ratcliffe’s play with Milwaukee? I’m a Flyers fan and always had high hopes for him but Torts cut him early in training camp and he fell off a cliff with our AHL team.
- Hosher12

Unfortunately, I cannot say I've had the chance to watch the Admirals too in depth this year.

What’s the scoop on Forsberg and the other injured players ? Did they just shut them down thinking they have slim playoff chances?

What’s the scoop on Forsberg and the other injured players ? Did they just shut them down thinking they have slim playoff chances?
- wrister

Lots of day-to-day. Forsberg in particular is suffering from a concussion and the team is using an abundance of caution before bringing him back. I would assume based on current trajectory he will remain out for the rest of the regular season and be re-evaluated if the Preds were to make the playoffs.

Johansen is out for the rest of the season.

Duchene is a hand/finger issue that is also likely to keep him out for the rest of the regular season due to the need to grip the stick. A frozen puck to the finger is never a nice feeling.

Josi is day-to-day and he is traveling with the team to my knowledge, but I do not see him coming back until playoffs as well.

Similar with the others.

It's great to get the young guys as much experience as possible at this time of year. They're paying hard and are still alive for a playoff spot. We qualify fr the post-season, then I'd say everyone will be re-evaluated and go from there.

No need to rush, especially when it comes to the guys with term on their deals. It's better to take your time and not rush in the event re-injury occurs.

All of these injuries to the overpaid players and the kids are holding the fort down. Hmmm...

All of these injuries to the overpaid players and the kids are holding the fort down. Hmmm...
- Polecat

Wonder what Trotz end of year reviews are gonna be like: Hey Joey maybe 4th line with you and your other overpaid buddies

Tough loss tonight on this one. Really could have used the win over the Jets. Gonna be a dogfight to the finish here. Hopin they can eek it out though.

Way to go Preds!!!!!

Calgary beaten and eliminated. Keep it goin!!!

Sayonara ! Better luck next year.

Clay Brewer: Five Games Left, Hopes Still Alive
- Clay Brewer

Welcome to hockey hell Trashville

So maybe in your next column you can address where this team "went off the rails" this season.
I get Chicago, Columbus, Ottawa...etc.. not making the playoffs, they weren't even expected to.
It appears that "something" is not right in this organization ?

So maybe in your next column you can address where this team "went off the rails" this season.
I get Chicago, Columbus, Ottawa...etc.. not making the playoffs, they weren't even expected to.
It appears that "something" is not right in this organization ?
- wrister

As far as expectations, most were low. I don't recall any qualified pundits' 2022/2023 predictions that did not have the Preds near the middle of the pack (at best) or lower, league-wide. As I recall, few, if any, of the sport's major writers and associations had the Preds even close to making the playoffs.

Just glanced at a few predictions from last year prior to season start: CBS Sports had Preds finishing 27th, ESPN had them at 16th, Hockey Writers had them at 5th in the Central. None had them making the playoffs. Those predictions were about the same as elsewhere.

Preds finished at 19th, about where most predicted. The good news is that they finished on a strong note with the many young players who were called up answering the challenge.

A short glance at the season and bit of what might be coming:
https://www.ontheforechec...-the-season-media-review/

The last couple of months of Preds hockey was far more entertaining and enjoyable to watch than what was before then.

As far as expectations, most were low. I don't recall any qualified pundits' 2022/2023 predictions that did not have the Preds near the middle of the pack (at best) or lower, league-wide. As I recall, few, if any, of the sport's major writers and associations had the Preds even close to making the playoffs.

Just glanced at a few predictions from last year prior to season start: CBS Sports had Preds finishing 27th, ESPN had them at 16th, Hockey Writers had them at 5th in the Central. None had them making the playoffs. Those predictions were about the same as elsewhere.

Preds finished at 19th, about where most predicted. The good news is that they finished on a strong note with the many young players who were called up answering the challenge.

A short glance at the season and bit of what might be coming:
https://www.ontheforechec...-the-season-media-review/

The last couple of months of Preds hockey was far more entertaining and enjoyable to watch than what was before then.
- blueline

Not quite sure I understand why they weren’t considered for playoffs with the supposed talent on the roster ?

I agree with your comment on the last two months. That is kind of my point. I guess the “youngsters” were competing night in and night out for roster spots next season. While the “stars” had their nice contracts and played when wanted ?

So maybe in your next column you can address where this team "went off the rails" this season.
I get Chicago, Columbus, Ottawa...etc.. not making the playoffs, they weren't even expected to.
It appears that "something" is not right in this organization ?
- wrister

I'll have something coming. There's a lot to take in here. It's been a whirlwind of a season. In sum, there were a lot of "names" on this team that didn't jive well this year. Chemistry was lacking with the established team that made it out of camp. A lack of clear guidance has been the case for years as management has continued to hold onto what was instead of seeing what is.

As far as expectations, most were low. I don't recall any qualified pundits' 2022/2023 predictions that did not have the Preds near the middle of the pack (at best) or lower, league-wide. As I recall, few, if any, of the sport's major writers and associations had the Preds even close to making the playoffs.

Just glanced at a few predictions from last year prior to season start: CBS Sports had Preds finishing 27th, ESPN had them at 16th, Hockey Writers had them at 5th in the Central. None had them making the playoffs. Those predictions were about the same as elsewhere.

Preds finished at 19th, about where most predicted. The good news is that they finished on a strong note with the many young players who were called up answering the challenge.

A short glance at the season and bit of what might be coming:
https://www.ontheforechec...-the-season-media-review/

The last couple of months of Preds hockey was far more entertaining and enjoyable to watch than what was before then.
- blueline

Agreed with what's to come. I'm really excited for the Trotz era. Sometimes a "new" face at the top does a world of change just by breathing in new life. He's won a Cup. It sounds small but he knows what it takes. His time away has helped him tremendously. This is not the same Trotz that we saw in Nashville during his last time here.

Not quite sure I understand why they weren’t considered for playoffs with the supposed talent on the roster ?

I agree with your comment on the last two months. That is kind of my point. I guess the “youngsters” were competing night in and night out for roster spots next season. While the “stars” had their nice contracts and played when wanted ?
- wrister

Many believed that the 2021-2022 season was a one-off due to career years from many. Rightfully so, the players were injured and were no where near the production that they were that year to this year. I'm still not sure if I grant the last month or so to Hynes or to the youth's ignorance and simply loving the opportunity. I continue to lean more towards the latter and believe Hynes is slowly being pushed out the door. He may be the coach come October 2023, but he will not be in Nashville October 2024. A renewal is not in his future if I were to make a prediction now.