Nashville Predators Team Report

Left wing Steve Sullivan is one of three finalists for the 2008-2009 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy which is given "to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." Sullivan returned to the NHL after spending 687 days recovering from two separate back surgeries. He played his first game of the season Jan. 10 for the Predators. He is only the third player since World War II to play 150 games with a team and then miss at least 600 straight days before returning to play for the same team. The other finalists are Chris Chelios from the Detroit Red Wings and Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers. "Sully had a great impact on our team when he came back," said Predators coach Barry Trotz. "With David Legwand, Martin Erat and Jason Arnott injured late in the season he was our offensive catalyst. "If he doesn't get the Masterton, I don't know who would. It is just a great story."The Predators have young, talented defensemen and one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL. So why didn't they make the playoffs this season? A lack of goal scoring. The Predators had only one 30-goal scorer center Jason Arnott who had a career-high 33. Only two players scored 20 or more goals defenseman Shea Weber (23) and center David Legwand (20). They scored only 213 goals, and 22 of their wins were decided by one goal. Ryan Jones, Cal O'Reilly and Patric Hornqvist will be expected to help their offense next season. But David Poile, vice president of hockey operations and general manager, and coach Barry Trotz know the Predators are going to have to go shopping if they are really going to find some offensive power. SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Without a doubt it had to be the 8-0 win over Detroit Feb. 28. The Predators lost any intimidation factor they may have had when facing the Red Wings. It was one of those games that you had to see. Just hearing about it on the radio was not enough. Even after seeing it, some fans found it difficult to believe. TURNING POINT: The first 35 games of the season were the turning point. The Predators struggled to find an identity. A lack of goal scoring, especially from RW Martin Erat and C David Legwand, both notorious slow starters, added to the misery. As the All-Star break approached it appeared the Predators had already taken themselves out of the playoff hunt. But something happened over the break, and the Predators held on through mounting injuries to stay in the hunt until the final game of the season.NOTES, QUOTESF Colin Wilson, the Predators' No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, has been signed to a three-year entry level contract. Wilson had a strong sophomore year at Boston University, helping his team win the NCAA National Championship. He tied for the Hockey East scoring lead with 55 points (17 goals). He was one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Even though he is only 19, he could get a strong look at training camp as the Predators seek to improve their goal scoring totals.The IIHF World Championships have a strong Predators presence. D Dan Hamhuis (Canada), D Ville Koistinen (Finland), D Shea Weber (Canada), D Ryan Suter (USA) and goaltender Pekka Rinne (Finland) have all been representing their respective countries. Predator in limbo, RW Alexander Radulov, is playing for Russia. Prospect Roman Josi is representing Switzerland. F Colin Wilson was named to Team USA. Predators coach Barry Trotz was named an assistant coach for Team Canada. David Poile, Predators vice-president of hockey operations and general manager, is the associate general manager for Team USA.QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know how he would be received by the team. I'm sure we would have to have a lot of talks about it." Team captain Jason Arnott, speculating on the possibility of RW Alexander Radulov returning to the team after spending last season in Russia.ROSTER REPORT MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: G Pekka Rinne and LW Steve Sullivan would both be candidates for the honor. Rinne was in the top 10 in the league in goals against (2.38), save percentage (.917) and shutouts (seven). He was 29-15-4 in 52 games. He is only the second goaltender in the history of the franchise to win 25 or more games, a feat that Tomas Vokoun managed four times. Sullivan did not play an NHL game for 687 days, but he surprised almost everyone by making a comeback from a back injury. He had only five assists in his first 15 games but had 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in the final 25 games of the season. The Predators were 22-14-5 when he was in the lineup and 18-20-3 without him. MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: RW Patrick Hornqvist was expected to bring his scoring touch from Europe to the Predators. It didn't happen. Hornqvist played in only 28 games, spending the rest of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. He had only seven points with two goals and five assists. Poile thinks that Hornqvist has found his scoring touch in the minors and will give him another shot at making the team in the fall. FREE AGENT FOCUS: The primary challenge is re-signing LW Steve Sullivan. The Predators were patient with him for the better part of two years, and perhaps he needs to remember that during negotiations. It is obvious the Predators are a better team when he is on the ice. Team captain Jason Arnott has strongly urged Sullivan to consider a return to the team. There are still questions surrounding Sullivan, especially how durable his back will remain and how much longer he can be productive. It is expected that anyone who signs Sullivan will offer a contract heavily laden with incentives. RW Joel Ward came out of obscurity to score 17 goals and 35 points. He made the pro scouts for the Predators look good. But if they want to keep him he is going to have to be given a substantial raise. Also set to get a raise is D Greg Zanon, one of the top shot-blockers in the NHL. The Predators are going to have to lure a free agent scorer or two this summer if the team is going to make a serious playoff run next season. Just how much money David Poile will have to work with is a question, especially if Sullivan, Ward and Zanon accept new contracts. Also scheduled to become unrestricted free agents are D Greg de Vries and Ville Koistinen, C Scott Nichol, C Radek Bonk and RW Vernon Fiddler. PLAYER NEWS:LW Steve Sullivan has indicated he does not plan to talk with the Predators about a new contract until he signs with an agent. He plans to test the free agent waters July 1 to determine what his worth might be on the open market. He has been pressed by fans and the media about his possible decision as his offensive prowess is important to the Predators.The Predators have one of the top one-two combinations at the goaltender position in Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis. But Chet Pickard, the 18th selection in the first round by the Predators in the 2008 Entry Draft, was added to the playoff roster of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. David Poile, vice-president of hockey operations/general manager, expects Pickard to be the starter between the pipes in Milwaukee next season. Pickard was named the Western Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year for the Tri-City Americans. He had a 2.28 goals against average and a 35-12-3 record.Jonathon Blum, who plays for Vancouver, was named the top defenseman in the Western Hockey League.RW Joel Ward responded with 17 goals and 35 points in 79 games to reward the Predators, who took a chance on him. "Ward came in here as an unheralded player," said Poile. "We gave him an opportunity and he made the most of it. We want to sit down with Ward and see what he wants to do." MEDICAL WATCH:C David Legwand (broken cheekbone) missed the last nine games of the regular season.RW Martin Erat (broken left leg) missed the last six games. He will have to undergo some summer rehab work but should be ready to go for training camp.LW Wade Belak (lower body) was listed as as being out indefinitely. The injury has been somewhat of a mystery, so it is hard to determine what the long-term effects might be. He missed the last 13 games of the season because of the injury and 18 overall.