I think they are in that class and may even be better then some that you mention. You don't split them because it makes the team defense overall weaker. Individually they play better together then they do apart. It's easier to keep the d matched up on the road then it is the forwards. Even the 2nd period changes the defense have the easier change. As far as Chicago goes, what team did any better then we did in the playoffs. I think overall the Preds played them better then anyone. Chicago players have said so themselves.
Weber and Suter were not the problem against Chicago in the playoffs. A wildly inconsistent PP was the culprit in that series.
In defense of the PP, I have been impressed at what I have been seeing lately and am encouraged by the player and puck movement on the PP. I think part of this is a direct correlation of a few things, one being Suter. He is looking for his shot more and wanting to pinch more, ala Neidermayer. His shot-pass to Wilson the other night was a thing of beauty too.
While I see what Rosey is saying, I have to agree with JLSG on this, Weber and Suter play much better when they are paired together. I think Suter would be fine without Weber but we don't have another guy to pair with Weber to make him as effective as he is with Suter. Until we do, we should keep them paired together.
I am more worried about Suter and his UFA status after next season than I am with Weber and his RFA status this offseason.
I think they are in that class and may even be better then some that you mention. You don't split them because it makes the team defense overall weaker. Individually they play better together then they do apart. It's easier to keep the d matched up on the road then it is the forwards. Even the 2nd period changes the defense have the easier change. As far as Chicago goes, what team did any better then we did in the playoffs. I think overall the Preds played them better then anyone. Chicago players have said so themselves.
I see your into moral victories ...after awhile that kinda wears thin don't you think?
I don't believe in moral victories. The coach in me says you always have to take a positive away from every play, game or series. Sometimes it may seem lame but it's really important from a sports psychology standpoint. You also have to learn from the mistakes, but that goes without saying. So if you want to call it moral victory, fine but you're missing the point. I think it sucks as much as anyone we didn't win that series but we played Chicago better then anyone else did and we were in the best position we've ever been in a playoff situation. Both mean we performed better then we ever had in the playoffs and shows improvement. Not as much improvement as everyone had hoped, but improvement. Since we didn't win the series, I can at least look back on it and see what we did better then we had in the past. I can also see what we need to improve on. The fact is that Weber and Suter didn't lose the series for us, having them together was one of the reasons we were in the position to win the series.
I don't believe in moral victories. The coach in me says you always have to take a positive away from every play, game or series. Sometimes it may seem lame but it's really important from a sports psychology standpoint. You also have to learn from the mistakes, but that goes without saying. So if you want to call it moral victory, fine but you're missing the point. I think it sucks as much as anyone we didn't win that series but we played Chicago better then anyone else did and we were in the best position we've ever been in a playoff situation. Both mean we performed better then we ever had in the playoffs and shows improvement. Not as much improvement as everyone had hoped, but improvement. Since we didn't win the series, I can at least look back on it and see what we did better then we had in the past. I can also see what we need to improve on. The fact is that Weber and Suter didn't lose the series for us, having them together was one of the reasons we were in the position to win the series.
Why would nashville want to trade one of the best defensive defenseman(i know, it sounds weird). He's the reason weber can do what he wants to do. Also Suter is somewhat unknown(compared to his comrade shea) in the league, so i doubt you would get much in return.
And nashville goalies are not a problem. Goalies as a whole lost their value. Mike Leighton just cleared waivers and he brought the flyers into the finals last year. That should tell you theres too much good goalies. Too much offer, not enough demand.
Preds needs healthy fowards. I doubt they could sign Parise/brad richards/iginla, but it would be nice.
Right now, they just need healthy. Don'T underestimate a healthy erat/sullivan
Why would nashville want to trade one of the best defensive defenseman(i know, it sounds weird). He's the reason weber can do what he wants to do. Also Suter is somewhat unknown(compared to his comrade shea) in the league, so i doubt you would get much in return.
Yeah, I doubt they have much thought of trading either guy.
But I'm sure Suter is well known and highly regarded by any GM or coach in the league who has input on trades. There'd be a significant return for a player like him.
Why would nashville want to trade one of the best defensive defenseman(i know, it sounds weird). He's the reason weber can do what he wants to do. Also Suter is somewhat unknown(compared to his comrade shea) in the league, so i doubt you would get much in return.
And nashville goalies are not a problem. Goalies as a whole lost their value. Mike Leighton just cleared waivers and he brought the flyers into the finals last year. That should tell you theres too much good goalies. Too much offer, not enough demand.
Preds needs healthy fowards. I doubt they could sign Parise/brad richards/iginla, but it would be nice.
Right now, they just need healthy. Don'T underestimate a healthy erat/sullivan
Ryan Suter is not unknown (somewhat or otherwise) by NHL General Managers, scouts, etc.
The perceived ignorance of (likely) non-Predator fans regarding the exceptional talents of Ryan Suter has no bearing on the offers that David Poile would potentially receive for Suter.
Preds needs healthy fowards. I doubt they could sign Parise/brad richards/iginla, but it would be nice.
Right now, they just need healthy. Don'T underestimate a healthy erat/sullivan
I think we need some healthy Centers, but I'll take a healthy Erat and Sully, assuming Nick is gonna' center them AND we roll Smitty, Wardo and either Mueller or Thuresson and scratch JP (actually, JP and Sully should alternate but....).
I don't believe in moral victories. The coach in me says you always have to take a positive away from every play, game or series. Sometimes it may seem lame but it's really important from a sports psychology standpoint. You also have to learn from the mistakes, but that goes without saying. So if you want to call it moral victory, fine but you're missing the point. I think it sucks as much as anyone we didn't win that series but we played Chicago better then anyone else did and we were in the best position we've ever been in a playoff situation. Both mean we performed better then we ever had in the playoffs and shows improvement. Not as much improvement as everyone had hoped, but improvement. Since we didn't win the series, I can at least look back on it and see what we did better then we had in the past. I can also see what we need to improve on. The fact is that Weber and Suter didn't lose the series for us, having them together was one of the reasons we were in the position to win the series.
Jay, I find this interesting. I also understand exactly what you're talking about. As a software developer and particularly as a manager of several software developers, I employ similar strategies of stressing the positive without ignoring the negative or ways to improve. I suspect all managers of people (at least the successful ones) have to do that.
Way back on 12/27, I wrote this rant at the bottom of my blog:
Quote:
A ranting I shall go…
The loser point is so aptly named. It inspires coaches and players alike to play for such charity and to be satisfied with enough effort to “walk away with something”. Don’t believe me? Read Barry Trotz’s comments in Josh Cooper’s latest blog:
Quote:
…but tonight I said to the guys, I really thought we should have come out of here with at least a point, and maybe two…
and…
Quote:
Some*ti*mes you play games you feel you deserve to win, or deserve at least a point and you don’t get those points.
For a team that has a motto like “No Excuses” it’s nice to know that one point is good enough. The reality of the situation is that one point is one point and all the points help. That said, I’d like nothing more than to see the crutch that is the loser point go away. The truth is that the only thing a team “deserves” is to either win or lose. Last night Nashville deserved to lose and that’s what they did. One shouldn’t get any level of victory (moral or otherwise) just because one held out a little longer. You still weren’t good enough and that’s what should resonate with you and drive you to get better.
If not, maybe you are satisfied with just getting to the playoffs only to lose again.
I think your post above makes me look at my rant with a little more of the perspective I have as a manager of people. With that perspective in mind, I understand why coaches do say the things they do from time to time.
That said, I still favor doing away with the "loser point" and have not changed my feelings that coaches do tend to lean too much on that point (strategically) as well as using the "deserves/ed" cliche too often. To me, if a coach has to do that more than 3-5 times for the entire season, it just falls on deaf ears and leaves the perception of being in denial regarding the problems.
this topic broaches upon another, one me and a good friend talk about all the time. the moral loss. It would be beating the islanders in a shootout. The Tennessee Football close win over UAB. those kinds of things. I always wonder why the moral loss doesn't get more exposure. I would think it hurts more than finding a moral victory in a bad situation.
