Klein moving up? The Predators are experimenting with the possibility of using defenseman Kevin Klein at forward.
Klein has played effectively for the Predators when in the lineup this season, but because of the logjam of defensemen on the team, he’s only seen action in 11 games.
Using him at forward could give him a better chance to get in the lineup.
“We feel that Kevin skates so well that it might allow him to get in the lineup on a more consistent basis,’’ Trotz said. “I also think it will make him a better player because he’ll understand the whole process (of the game) a little better. He can kill penalties both on the defensive side of things and as a forward.’’
The Predators have had Klein spend half his time at forward and half on defense during a few recent practices.
“We’re more confident that’s the way we’re going to go with it,’’ Trotz said. “He might be a real good asset for us late in the game. He can hold the blueline quite well and he’s strong as an ox, so potentially there could be some real good benefits. He can get in on the forecheck, and he has enough skills offensively to do well.’’
Thoughts? Personally, I think it might not be a bad idea if he gets into the lineup and learns how to play as a forward. Klein is probably one of the best skaters on the team and is strong on the puck and should be defensively responsible. Maybe he could work out on the third line, maybe he might even get a sniff as a big body with the Legwand-Erat combo when David returns?
I think that Minnesota has used Petteri Nummelin (another well skating defenceman, although a small one) as forward with at least average success, so I see no reason why this would not work.
Interesting that the report would more likely indicate that they do not want to convert Klein to forward, but instead just give him icetime through experiment.
i juste hope enough time is given to the experiment to actually see if it works. When we tried Zidlicky at forward, the idea was scrapped after the first bad shift.
I would expect no noticeable drop off compared to Smithson, Fiddler, Ortmeyer, Nicholls (except the 3 game stretch of scoring), Hordichuk (am I missing anyone? Gelinas, Tootoo perhaps).
Why not try Zids at forward again? Has he really locked in a spot with his defensive prowess that makes him unavailable to join the rush?
I'm in agreement with Poile's general theory to not trade assets right now. Do we really want to give away Klein, Franson and a 1st to potentially miss out on the playoffs or have Mason let in 4 a game during the first round? This team has a shot at the playoffs but I don't think there is or will be an affordable, available top 6 forward that is going to make any real impact on whether we make it..... and a super-priced top 6 won't guarantee that we make it. At the same time, we have a shot so we shouldn't be sellers. Thus, I think we are stuck to ride it out and hope for the best this year.
I would expect no noticeable drop off compared to Smithson, Fiddler, Ortmeyer, Nicholls (except the 3 game stretch of scoring), Hordichuk (am I missing anyone? Gelinas, Tootoo perhaps).
Why not try Zids at forward again? Has he really locked in a spot with his defensive prowess that makes him unavailable to join the rush?
I'm in agreement with Poile's general theory to not trade assets right now. Do we really want to give away Klein, Franson and a 1st to potentially miss out on the playoffs or have Mason let in 4 a game during the first round? This team has a shot at the playoffs but I don't think there is or will be an affordable, available top 6 forward that is going to make any real impact on whether we make it..... and a super-priced top 6 won't guarantee that we make it. At the same time, we have a shot so we shouldn't be sellers. Thus, I think we are stuck to ride it out and hope for the best this year.
I tend to agree, we all know that we might squeak into the playoffs only o crap out in 4 games straight. I think we are just all getting irritated at the position we are in and we need a meaningless gesture to right our psychological ship, you know - sort of like a hockey stimulus package.
I would expect no noticeable drop off compared to Smithson, Fiddler, Ortmeyer, Nicholls (except the 3 game stretch of scoring), Hordichuk (am I missing anyone? Gelinas, Tootoo perhaps).
Why not try Zids at forward again? Has he really locked in a spot with his defensive prowess that makes him unavailable to join the rush?
I'm in agreement with Poile's general theory to not trade assets right now. Do we really want to give away Klein, Franson and a 1st to potentially miss out on the playoffs or have Mason let in 4 a game during the first round? This team has a shot at the playoffs but I don't think there is or will be an affordable, available top 6 forward that is going to make any real impact on whether we make it..... and a super-priced top 6 won't guarantee that we make it. At the same time, we have a shot so we shouldn't be sellers. Thus, I think we are stuck to ride it out and hope for the best this year.
The one comment I will make is this:
Why do we have to make moves for rentals. How about using our young defensive talent to acquire the young offensive forward we desperately need? Our situation only compounds each year. Poile has dug a hole, and he is sitting in it. The longer he waits, the deeper that hole gets. Franson, Sulzer, Laakso, Blum, and others are all decent to great defensive prospects....with a log jam of 8 solid NHL blueliners already, one has to wonder why Poile sits in his hole and refuses to use the ladder right beside him to get out. I know that is a silly analogy, but I honestly feel that there are several deals out there that could be made which would benefit this team not just now, but also in the future, without sacrificing any true hit to our on ice team or defensive depth.
Why do we have to make moves for rentals. How about using our young defensive talent to acquire the young offensive forward we desperately need? Our situation only compounds each year. Poile has dug a hole, and he is sitting in it. The longer he waits, the deeper that hole gets. Franson, Sulzer, Laakso, Blum, and others are all decent to great defensive prospects....with a log jam of 8 solid NHL blueliners already, one has to wonder why Poile sits in his hole and refuses to use the ladder right beside him to get out. I know that is a silly analogy, but I honestly feel that there are several deals out there that could be made which would benefit this team not just now, but also in the future, without sacrificing any true hit to our on ice team or defensive depth.
If we use our 2 1st round on Defensmen this year (which we will), then
in five years we could be the only team in the NHL skating 15 Defensmen which would fit right into Trotz's system.
Why do we have to make moves for rentals. How about using our young defensive talent to acquire the young offensive forward we desperately need? Our situation only compounds each year. Poile has dug a hole, and he is sitting in it. The longer he waits, the deeper that hole gets. Franson, Sulzer, Laakso, Blum, and others are all decent to great defensive prospects....with a log jam of 8 solid NHL blueliners already, one has to wonder why Poile sits in his hole and refuses to use the ladder right beside him to get out. I know that is a silly analogy, but I honestly feel that there are several deals out there that could be made which would benefit this team not just now, but also in the future, without sacrificing any true hit to our on ice team or defensive depth.
I don't disagree with you or your analogy a bit. The only thing I wonder is if he really is trying(or has been) to do this and there just aren't any takers right now. Maybe everyone is just holding on waiting for the deadline to be able to break the bank????
It seems like, from the rumors, that Poile has been trying to feel things out but with this news I would think that he hasn't found anything worth doing....Maybe...I don't know...he could just be sitting on the d-men???
In regards to making trades, I just do not think this is an area Poile has ever been particularly good at. He builds teams through development and through calculated FA signings. I'm just not confident that he does what it takes to find the right fit.
Looking around the league, I have a hard time believing that there isn't a market for young, cheap, and talented defenseman (Klein, Suter, Zanon, possibly Koistenen).
Ok, I agree with most of that but I would go back to the "available" part. I think in the offseason you can potentially get a deal like that done but I'm not confident it can be done prior to the trade deadline. Will Umberger or Cole or someone like that be available at some point. Perhaps. But will a team trade that now for some package built around our D? It doesn't seem like it right now. Our best bet on this front would be for a guy in the ahl on a deep offensive team that is ready to go into someone's lineup.
Klein reassigned: Kevin Klein was sent to Milwaukee on Thursday for a conditioning stint with the Predators American Hockey League affiliate and is expected to remain there through the weekend.
The defenseman participated in the Predators morning skate and then got on a plane. The Admirals play three games in four nights and Trotz felt like it would be a good opportunity for Klein to get some playing time.
"You don't know what could happen with the trade deadlines or injuries so we want to keep him fresh," Trotz said. "I think he's looking for a little bit of change, too, other than just skating and practice."
Klein has played in only 11 games for the Predators this season, struggling to crack the lineup with eight blueliners on the roster. Weeks ago he began practicing some at the forward position with the idea that added versatility might help him get more playing time.
This is Klein's second conditioning trip this season. In mid-November he played a six-game stint with the Admirals. He does not need to clear waivers to go to the AHL for a conditioning assignment and is expected to rejoin the Predators sometime on Monday.
Also saw on the other board that Klein played at right wing some last night as well, according a Ad fan.
Really? I took it as a sign that they are continuing to look at doing something. I think there are a few possible deals and we are just stuck waiting to see which direction some teams go.
