Barry Trotz nominated for Jack Adams two years running

Barry Trotz was nominated for the Jack Adams Award given to the Coach of the Year in the NHL. It is the second consecutive year Trotz has been nominated for the award. The Nashville Predators walked away with four nominations to the NHL Awards Ceremony held on June 22 in Vegas.

 

Other nominations received by the Predators include David Poile for the GM of the Year Award, Shea Weber for the Norris Trophy and Pekka Rinne for the Vezina Trophy.

Here is the press release from the Predators organization:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / APRIL 29, 2011
BYLSMA, TROTZ AND VIGNEAULT NAMED JACK ADAMS AWARD FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 29, 2011) — Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators and Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks are the three finalists for the 2010-11 Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2011 NHL Awards from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas. The 2011 NHL Awards will be broadcast by VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Tootoo’s playoff success atteacting national attention

Jordin Tootoo’s goal and 4 assists in six games during Nashville’s Western Conference Quarter Finals series against the Anaheim Ducks is considered by many to be a key turning point of the series in the Predators favor.

Tootoo assisted on Jerred Smithson’s overtime winning goal in Game 5, as well as both of Nick Spalings goals in the series clinching Game 6 last Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

As a result of his slick play-making abilities, Tootoo has been attracting national attention.

Wednesday, Tootoo was named the National Hockey League Players Association’s (NHLPA) player of the week for his role during the quarter finals.

In previewing the upcoming Western Conference semi-final between the Predators and Canucks, Radio Team 1040’s Jeff Paterson points out that in the last month, from March 24th, Tootoo (5 goals, 7 assists) has more points than last year’s Hart Trophy winner, and Canucks captain, Henrik Sedin (1 goal, 11 assists).

Can the Predators beat either Vancouver or Detroit?

With the San Jose Sharks eliminating the Los Angeles Kings Monday night, the Predators await the result of one game that will determine their opponent for the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Chicago forced Vancouver to play a game 7 Tuesday night after Ben Smith, playing in just his 12th NHL game, scored in overtime Sunday night, extending the series to the final game after having been down in the series 3-0 to the Canucks.

If Vancouver wins, the Predators face the Canucks. If Chicago becomes the second team in as many years to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series, the Predators will play the Central Division champion Detroit Red Wings.

Looking at the rosters alone, like the Anaheim series, it will be high-flying offense against the Predators stellar back end lead by Captain, All-Star and now Norris Trophy nominated Shea Weber, U.S. Olympian Ryan Suter and Vezina nominated goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Predators captain Shea Weber nominated for Norris Trophy

The morning after the Nashville Predators won their first ever playoff series by beating Anaheim 4-2, Predators Captain Shea Weber received his first ever Norris Trophy nomination.

The Norris Trophy is given to the defenseman judged to be the best in the National Hockey League.

This season,Weber tallied 16 goals and added 32 assists for 48 points. He was 6th in the League for hits by a defenseman,  2nd in takeaways for his position, 3rd on defense in shots.

Weber was third in ice time for the entire 2010-11 season averaging 25:19 per game. It was a career season for Weber who set career highs in games played (82),  average ice time, assists (32) and shots (254).

Predators make history with first ever playoff series win, down Anaheim 4-2

A year ago to the day, the Nashville Predators had the lead in a pivotal game 5 Western Conference Quarter Final against Chicago with under a minute to play.  Nashville went on the power play, but then surrendered a shorthanded goal, tying the game. As all Predators fans remember so well, Nashville went on to lose the game and the series in game six at home.

Legwand’s empty-net goal was insurance for Nashville, who defeated the Ducks 4-2

 

Sunday night, history was made, but not repeated when the Predators went into the final minute of game 6 against the Ducks with a one-goal lead, and on the power play.

Instead of giving up a goal, David Legwand scored in the empty net.

The first ever player to be drafted by the Nashville Predators added the insurance giving the Predators the two-goal lead with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It’s a huge thing for us to move on and get to continue playing. It means a bit. We get to play in round two. There are only going to be 8 teams playing, so that’s exciting for us to get a chance to do,” Legwand said when asked what it meant for him personally to be moving on to the next round.

Rinne nominated for Vezina Trophy

On a day that sees the Nashville Predators play their most important game in franchise history,  Pekka Rinne, has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the award given to the goaltender judged to be the best in the National Hockey League.

Rinne has been nominated for the Vezina Award

Rinne’s regular season statistics were undeniable. Having played in 64 games, the Finnish netminder ended the season with a 2.12 GAA, good for third in the League behind the other two Vezina nominees, Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. His .930 save percentage was second in the League to Thomas.

Thomas is the favorite to win the Award. A Vezina winner in 2009, Thomas lost his starting position last season to Tuukka Rask but regained it this year on his way to leading the League in both goals against and save percentage.

Luongo also put up good numbers, leading his team to the President’s Trophy.  His 2.11 GAA that was second only to Thomas and he finished fourth in the League with a .928 save percentage.

GM Of The Year Award finalists include Predators David Poile

The Nashville Predators received their first, in what may be several, 2011 Award nominations Wednesday morning.

 

This year’s nominees for General Manager of the Year include Vancouver’s Mike Gillis, Tampa Bay’s Steve Yzerman and Nashville’s David Poile.

It is only the second year for the award, and second nomination for Poile.

This year, the Award is going to be presented at the Awards show in Las Vegas. Last year, the winner was announced on tv during a game broadcast.  Don Maloney of the Phoenix Coyotes won.

The League’s 30 General Managers as well as a panel of NHL executives and print and broadcast media voted on the Award.

Significance of Ryan Suspension

By now, everyone knows what happened. With under 4 minutes left in regulation, Nashville down by a goal after mounting what was shaping up to be an epic third period comeback, Bobby Ryan stomped on Jon Blum’s foot behind the Predators net. No call was made on the play and Ryan would score the empty net goal to seal the deal for the Ducks.

Saturday afternoon, Ryan was suspended for two games.

The suspension is significant for a multitude of reasons.

Anaheim loses a key component of its power-line for two games on the road. The loss would be more manageable at home with the Ducks controlling matchups, but they won’t have that ability for Games 3 and 4.

Predators go into Anaheim set on shutting down Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan

The Nashville Predators visit the Anaheim Ducks tonight in game one of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. The Predators just narrowly missed out on home ice advantage when they lost last Saturday, 2-0, against the Blues to end out the regular season.

Anaheim’s top line consists of Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Getzlaf. Combined the three have 103 goals and 142 assists.

Predators defenseman Cody Franson says the key to playing against Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan is to play a physical game.  “They are probably the best line in the League. When you are playing against guys of that calibre, that size and that skill set, you want to play physical against them and take away their time and space. You know, make it tough on them,” he said.

Sizing up the series: Preds vs. Ducks

The Predators drawing the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Quarter-finals pits a defensive club against one with an explosive offense. When looking at goaltending, defense, as well as offense there is no question where the Predators come out on top and where the Ducks have an advantage. Pekka Rinne has played 10 games against the Ducks and boasts a 6-2-2 record. Rinne’s goals against average is 2.15 and has a .930 save percentage against Anaheim.

The Ducks will start the series with Dan Ellis in goal. Ray Emery is out with a lower body injury. Jonas Hiller has played backup as of late, but has yet to start a game since playing, and getting chase from the net,  against Nashville  allowing three quick goals in the middle of March.

Ellis, the former Nashville Predator, has only played two times against his former club, once as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightening and the other in relief of Hiller at Bridgestone Arena on March 24th. During those two games, Ellis has a goals against average of 3.43 and a .867 save percentage.