Nashville Predators Quarterly Report Card: They Are So Grounded

Management: F

This is probably the grade that stings the most for the Nashville Predators. David Poile has been with the team since the beginning, and he’s built up a lot of good will with the franchise and Smashville as a whole.

However, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight once said, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Intense? Sure. Accurate in this case? Unfortunately, probably.

As much as Poile may want to ride off into the sunset on his terms, it may be time to walk away while there’s any good will left. I’m not sure if that means his son would take over, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, as many aspects of the front office appear to be flawed – from scouting at the free agent level to trades and acquisitions (though we have hit on some prospects), the front office has a lot issues to address and improve.

Speaking to the current situation, the lack of transparency or patronizing of a fanbase that has grown to understand the game very well does you no favors.

The “youth movement” we were supposed to see, well, it barely materialized into intermittent ice time for Tolvanen, Olivier, and Trenin, with some McCarron sprinkled in.

The hasty coaching hire last season, the offseason veteran acquisitions, and much more speak to the flaws of management, and a change may be coming sooner rather than later if things don’t take a drastic turn.

This is one grade that may not be improved, especially with it looking more likely we find ourselves in the midst of a rebuild.