Speculation: Armchair GM Thread

[Predation]

Wedgewood traded to CO for Annunen.

 

[Soundgarden]

I'm not terribly upset we lost out on Jiricek, but our team, and Trotz, looks a lot better if we had packaged Fabbro and Tomasino with the picks to get him. It's more than Minnesota paid and it might be an overpayment, but if Trotz said that's my guy and that's what it cost to get him then I'd feel so much better with the direction of the team.

We'd have a solid collection of young defensemen with Molendyk and Gibson as well. We know what Trotz can do with defensemen so there'd be a lot less doubt with a move like that, as for now I don't know if I can trust Trotz not to move a talented young player because Brunette can't coach guys under 25.

 

[hido]

We know what Trotz can do with defensemen

Do we really know anymore?

 

[Soundgarden]

Do we really know anymore?

Well that would have been the reasoning/excuse.

 

[Enoch]

I feel pretty confident that almost every team in the league is looking at the Predators as a team that is easily exploited.

Waived 1st line winger/2nd line winger in Duchenne
Waived Tolvanen
Waived Fabbro
Traded Tomasino for a fourth 500000 years from now
Asked for the moon on Askarov, let him force a trade for a good not great return
Traded assets for overpaid, underperforming wingers to "use" cap space
Coach calls out players and benches veterans who could be traded (Tyson Barrie)

We look bad right now.

You can look at it another way and look at all the talent we brought in. 4 premium free agents signed here. Saros resigned. Forsberg. Josi.

Lots to love. Lots to hate.

But if I am a GM, I am low balling and underselling to Trotz. There is blood in the water.

 

[101st_fan]

I feel pretty confident that almost every team in the league is looking at the Predators as a team that is easily exploited.

Waived 1st line winger/2nd line winger in Duchenne
Waived Tolvanen
Waived Fabbro
Traded Tomasino for a fourth 500000 years from now
Asked for the moon on Askarov, let him force a trade for a good not great return
Traded assets for overpaid, underperforming wingers to "use" cap space
Coach calls out players and benches veterans who could be traded (Tyson Barrie)

We look bad right now.

You can look at it another way and look at all the talent we brought in. 4 premium free agents signed here. Saros resigned. Forsberg. Josi.

Lots to love. Lots to hate.

But if I am a GM, I am low balling and underselling to Trotz. There is blood in the water.

Poile had the option to LTIR Boro but chose to waive Tolvanen.
Trotz signed Fabbro, Tomasino, Wedgewood ... then waived or traded them within just a few games.
Signing Wedgewood and Saros led to the issues with Askarov followed by his trade. Perhaps the team keeps the youngster if they don't sign Wedge and Murray.

I can't grasp what Trotz is trying to do right now. Too few of our media people have the guts to ask any real questions.

 

[herzausstein]

Asset management is a real question with Trotz right now.

Are him and Bruno talking?

Bruno was pretty clear he wasnt going to use Fabbro, Tomasino, and Parssinen. So far two are gone and the other is in the pressbox. Why did we bother bringing them back to further kill any trade value?

Why do the vets get all the ice time when they are producing? Of the remaining young players Svechkov, L'Heureux, and Evangelista have been playing quite well. Heck Evangelista and svechkov hooked up to tie the game in the 1st. One of our few even strength goals. Then they both get rewarded with less then 10 mins TOI. The absolute least on the team.

 

[Enoch]

Poile had the option to LTIR Boro but chose to waive Tolvanen.
Trotz signed Fabbro, Tomasino, Wedgewood ... then waived or traded them within just a few games.
Signing Wedgewood and Saros led to the issues with Askarov followed by his trade. Perhaps the team keeps the youngster if they don't sign Wedge and Murray.

I can't grasp what Trotz is trying to do right now. Too few of our media people have the guts to ask any real questions.

Agreed

I put tolvanen there simply to highlight the blood in the water idea.

Trotz has acquired a lot of assets but also squandered some. I don’t mind going for it, but I look at what’s happening right now … it’s mystifying.

 

[glenngineer]

Really wasn't sure where to put this.

Trotz and Bruno both need to go.

Bruno for his inability to play younger guys.

Trotz for the blunder that no one has discussed - he's stockpiled picks, including 2 additional 1st rounders in a weak draft. Everything I've read said there's about 7 players that are worth anything and the rest is a crapshoot at best. Great, we've got a ton of picks for a draft that probably won't produce any NHL talent. How f'in stupid is this?

And the other part is not firing Bruno already. JFC, this team can't score more than 2 goals a game at this point. Goal differential is showing us we're getting outscored by a goal a game. The coach has forced your hand on two young players that are instantly having success elsewhere. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

 

[101st_fan]

Agreed

I put tolvanen there simply to highlight the blood in the water idea.

Trotz has acquired a lot of assets but also squandered some. I don’t mind going for it, but I look at what’s happening right now … it’s mystifying.

Given the lack of playing time and minimal (if any) returns the Fabbro and Tomasino signings are dumbfounding at best. It was a waste of cap space during free agency that could have gone after a player that fits Bruno's "system" ... or just sat on if it wasn't going towards active players.

 

[herzausstein]

Given the lack of playing time and minimal (if any) returns the Fabbro and Tomasino signings are dumbfounding at best. It was a waste of cap space during free agency that could have gone after a player that fits Bruno's "system" ... or just sat on if it wasn't going towards active players.

Thing that bothers me about the whole free agency thing is that we spent all our capspace on wingers when we have terrible center depth and the coach has refused to elevate Novak in the previous season. That says that Trotz planned for either Sissons to really step up his game into a 2C (not a smart bet) or Bruno to elevate Novak to 2C (also not a smart bet given how he has handled him). So starting the season with no real 2C and no capspace just seems like a bad idea. Couldve really used someone like Stephenson

 

[beardawg]

Thing that bothers me about the whole free agency thing is that we spent all our capspace on wingers when we have terrible center depth and the coach has refused to elevate Novak in the previous season. That says that Trotz planned for either Sissons to really step up his game into a 2C (not a smart bet) or Bruno to elevate Novak to 2C (also not a smart bet given how he has handled him). So starting the season with no real 2C and no capspace just seems like a bad idea. Couldve really used someone like Stephenson

Stephenson over Marchessault would've made much more sense

 

[Scoresberg]

Are you fng kidding me? We couldn't beat that offer from Minny??

Once again, high-IQ organizations and GM's making smart moves, while our guy sits on his hands and deals backup goalies.

 

[101st_fan]

Are you fng kidding me? We couldn't beat that offer from Minny??

Once again, high-IQ organizations and GM's making smart moves, while our guy sits on his hands and deals backup goalies.

We'll never know which pick(s) the Preds offered and what the Bugs asked for.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

Thing that bothers me about the whole free agency thing is that we spent all our capspace on wingers when we have terrible center depth and the coach has refused to elevate Novak in the previous season. That says that Trotz planned for either Sissons to really step up his game into a 2C (not a smart bet) or Bruno to elevate Novak to 2C (also not a smart bet given how he has handled him). So starting the season with no real 2C and no capspace just seems like a bad idea. Couldve really used someone like Stephenson

Novak still isn't playing center, Stamkos is.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Just curious how many are sharing my feelings, as this was discussed in my friend group. Is this one of the more disappointing seasons, thus far, that you can recall? I am just beyond frustrated at this point.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

Just curious how many are sharing my feelings, as this was discussed in my friend group. Is this one of the more disappointing seasons, thus far, that you can recall? I am just beyond frustrated at this point.

It is for me. Normally you can point to different factors that are creating issues and see a way to fix them. There is no way to fix whatever is happening inside of Brunette's head or Trotz's blind trust in him which seems to have cause him to forget he's in charge and supposed to have a plan.

 

[nullednumbed]

Just curious how many are sharing my feelings, as this was discussed in my friend group. Is this one of the more disappointing seasons, thus far, that you can recall? I am just beyond frustrated at this point.

My frustration has never been higher. I was and still am of the opinion that we should have signed Lankinen as the bridge starter and Askarov as the back-up with him waiting to take the reigns in a year or two. Trade Saros for some real quality assets. But nope gotta sign Saros to a massive contract with no movement attached. And look he is playing great no doubt - but in 3 years? in 5 years? I'm not buying it.
I was never on board with this silly spending spree in the offseason on old dudes for big money, term, and no movement protection. To Poile's credit he was very careful in giving NMCs - unlike the current GM. As a fan I was cool with seeing Stamkos play for the Preds, but I was very doubtful on the reasoning why Barry chose this time to go all-in. This team was not close to competing for a Cup - it was one fluke season where a bunch of guys had career years and went on a massive, and rare, point streak to slip into the playoffs.
Now I have watched San Jose play lately, and that is going to be a hell of a fun team to watch. Not to mention they have their franchise goalie in waiting to go with those young stars. But no we can't be bad for a few seasons and stock the cupboard with some A-grade talent; we have to sign old dudes playing on reputation now in a system that doesn't fit them. Enjoy the endless stay in the mushy middle.
And I won't even get into the clown show that is waiving Fabbro and trading Tomasino. I have no faith in Trotz as a GM or Bruno as a head coach. OK venting over.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

My frustration has never been higher. I was and still am of the opinion that we should have signed Lankinen as the bridge starter and Askarov as the back-up with him waiting to take the reigns in a year or two. Trade Saros for some real quality assets. But nope gotta sign Saros to a massive contract with no movement attached. And look he is playing great no doubt - but in 3 years? in 5 years? I'm not buying it.
I was never on board with this silly spending spree in the offseason on old dudes for big money, term, and no movement protection. To Poile's credit he was very careful in giving NMCs - unlike the current GM. As a fan I was cool with seeing Stamkos play for the Preds, but I was very doubtful on the reasoning why Barry chose this time to go all-in. This team was not close to competing for a Cup - it was one fluke season where a bunch of guys had career years and went on a massive, and rare, point streak to slip into the playoffs.
Now I have watched San Jose play lately, and that is going to be a hell of a fun team to watch. Not to mention they have their franchise goalie in waiting to go with those young stars. But no we can't be bad for a few seasons and stock the cupboard with some A-grade talent; we have to sign old dudes playing on reputation now in a system that doesn't fit them. Enjoy the endless stay in the mushy middle.
And I won't even get into the clown show that is waiving Fabbro and trading Tomasino. I have no faith in Trotz as a GM or Bruno as a head coach. OK venting over.

Yeah, the total reversal on NMCs when we had to burn two buyouts and $4M retention to get rid of 3 players who had no NMCs is a real concerning change IMO. I have some serious worries about the cost when we have to try to turn around and trade Stamkos, etc... when they want out.

 

[glenngineer]

Just curious how many are sharing my feelings, as this was discussed in my friend group. Is this one of the more disappointing seasons, thus far, that you can recall? I am just beyond frustrated at this point.

I'd like to say I was disappointed. At this point, I'm pissed off. I haven't seen any sort of improvement from the players or the coaching staff that makes me think that they can turn anything around. I hate that I continue to see tweeners in the lineup when those spots should've been for the kids to grow with the vets we've signed over the last 2 offseasons.

We went from a position of strength in goal to one injury to Saros and we're screwed. We had one of the best goalie prospects and gave him away for a guy who was a late first round pick and a 1st rounder in a very weak draft. Not good asset management.

As others have said, we've moved on from guys like Tolvanen, Glass, Tomasino and Fabbro to ice guys like McCarron, Smith, Jankowski and Schenn. Not saying that these kids were the answer but I sure would've liked to have seen what they could've done for half a season of play together before jettisoning them. We knew what we had in Fabbro and lost him for nothing. Inexcusable. We traded Tomasino for a 4th 3 years from now? WTAF?

For all the good will Trotz had, it's gone. As far as I'm concerned, they should blow the entire front office staff up except keep Korn and Vanderklok and whoever's coaching the PK. Everyone else can go bye bye. Scouts and development staff, bye bye.

The one move I'd try before the nuclear option is giving Taylor the reins and see what he can do. I'd be very curious what would happen but Brunette's inability to coach youngsters is maddening to watch. Svechkov scores a beauty from Evangelista and they get few minutes after that? That makes absolutely no sense. None whatsoever.

The fact that he still has a job today is a bad indictment of the way Trotz is going to handle things. Today was the day to do it. What's it going to take? 2 more losses where we score 2 goals? F this team.

 

[Armourboy]

Yeah, the total reversal on NMCs when we had to burn two buyouts and $4M retention to get rid of 3 players who had no NMCs is a real concerning change IMO. I have some serious worries about the cost when we have to try to turn around and trade Stamkos, etc... when they want out.

Stamkos is easy, you tell him if he wants to leave then he can terminate that contract, otherwise he is stuck in purgatory. I'd be damned if I used a single asset to move him.

Yes this is by far the worst. Early years you didn't have much expectations, most of the other bad ones were due to injuries

 

[Roman Yoshi]

Are you fng kidding me? We couldn't beat that offer from Minny??

Once again, high-IQ organizations and GM's making smart moves, while our guy sits on his hands and deals backup goalies.

Minnesota now has David Jiricek, Brock Faber, and Zeev Buium to build their under 23 blue line around. Unbelievably good GMing.

 

[Predsanddead24]

Yeah it’s pretty clearly been a disaster to start this year. I’m not even really all that mad about the offseason moves. It was a risk that very clearly hasn’t panned out to this point. What bothers me is what we’ve done in response to the struggles is just continuing to try basically the same thing. No consideration of a coaching change. Wildly change the lines but then ultimately come back to the same things that aren’t working (Marchessault and Stamkos together, Sissons higher in the lineup than he should be, O’Reilly/Forsberg/Nyquist line). Worst of all instead of truly giving young players a chance to show they can do better we give them 10 minutes and then ship them out or press box them if they struggle at all. Yet, when they succeed they aren’t getting rewarded with any additional ice time or responsibilities. It’s just frustrating that we’re the worst combo of aggressive when we shouldn’t be (see UFA acquisitions and waiving/trading young guys) but conservative when we shouldn’t be (not changing coaches or our ice time distributions). In the past when we sucked I could at least see a vision but our current vision appears to be suck with a bunch of overpaid vets and hope our new coach who can’t develop talent is the one to lead the rebuild. There just isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel and it makes me just not that interested in watching this team play terrible hockey.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

A couple of my favorite teams are in the same boat right now...Preds and Falcons. I'm with you, @Predsanddead24, I like the offseason moves by both teams, but there has been zero adjustments and accountability since unexpected bad play. With the Falcons, the OC and DC have both been terrible, yet nothing gets tossed at them in postgame pressers. The team spends the 8th overall pick on a QB yet sticks with the old vet that is clearly underperforming (sound familiar?).

Been a frustrating fall/winter so far.

 

[Armourboy]

I mean at this point Trotz should fire Brunette and then fire himself. There simply is no excuse to have a Dman you coach wouldn't play to be seeing the ice time and numbers he is and then another guy he wouldn't play score goals in 2 of his first 3 games with another team.

How Trotz hasn't snatched him a new one yet is beyond me.