Nashville Predators

Despite Saturday being the last game of the 2011-12 regular season, many playoff scenarios are still possible for the Predators in a tight Western Conference.

Nashville remains in a dead heat with Detroit and is just ahead of Chicago in the No. 4, 5, 6 spots. 

The No. 4 and No. 5 seeds will face off in the first round, with the No. 4 seed getting home-ice advantage. The Preds will be in the 4/5 matchup, but it's unclear if it will be Chicago or Detroit and who will have home ice.

The No. 6 seed will face the Pacific-Division-winner, which could be either of Phoenix, Los Angeles or San Jose.

Nashville will play at Colorado, and Detroit and Chicago face off at 1 p.m. ET. 

Here's a look at possible outcomes heading into Saturday's action.

Predators Playoff Scenarios (as of 12:30 p.m. ET 4/7)

- Nashville wins or loses in OT/SO, Detroit wins or loses in OT/SO: No. 4 seed, will play Detroit

- Nashville wins or loses in OT/SO, Chicago regulation win: No. 4 seed, will play Chicago

- Nashville regulation loss, Detroit win: No. 5 seed, will play Detroit

- Nashville regulation loss, Chicago regulation win: No. 4 seed, will play Chicago

- Nashville regulation loss, Detroit OT/SO loss: No. 4 seed, will play Detroit

The scenarios will be much clearer by the end of the Red Wings/Blackhawks game. If the Red Wings lose, Nashville will have the No. 4 seed regardless of the outcome of their game. 

If Detroit wins, Nashville will play them, but they'll have to win or send their game in Colorado to OT to gain home-ice advantage. 

If Chicago wins in regulation, the Preds and Blackhawks will play a 4/5 matchup with the Preds gaining home ice. 

Take a deep breath, Preds fans, you won't be facing the Sharks in the first round regardless of Saturday's outcome. Detroit's still a strong possibility, but they've been cold as of late and Nashville has the talent to battle them for the first time ever.

It's been a long journey for the Nashville Predators and Barry Trotz, and Friday night's win against Detroit was a signal that it's far from over.

With Trotz's 500th win as a coach, his status as one of the NHL's best coaches is now etched in stone.

Every single one of his 500 wins came as a Nashville Predator, and every Predators game in its history has been coached by him. Trotz is only the fourth person in NHL history to win 500 games with a single team, joining the Islanders' Al Arbour, Lindy Ruff with Buffalo and Toe Blake with the Canadiens. 

That's some pretty high-quality company. 

Trotz became only the 17th NHL coach to reach the 500-win plateau on Friday night. By the end of this season, he has the possibility of climbing as high as 15th on the all-time wins list. 

Trotz has flown under the radar for much of his career before Nashville's attention outburst with the reappearance of Alexander Radulov, the trade deadline and impending contract negotiations with Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. But he has had his share of the spotlight.

In 2009, he was named the 2009 Sporting News Coach of the Year after Nashville's best regular season ever. He's also been a finalist for the Jack Adams NHL Coach of the Year award twice. 

Trotz becomes the fourth active coach to reach the milestone, joining Ruff, Ken Hitchcock and Joel Quenneville. Like I said earlier, that's some pretty elite company.

Due to his coaching position being in Nashville and their early struggles (they missed the playoffs their first five years), Trotz hasn't gotten the worthy amount of attention. However, this year the Preds will make a playoff berth for the seventh time in eight years, one of the best such spans in the league.

At 49 years old, Trotz doesn't seem likely to stop any time soon and could keep tearing through the record books if Nashville continues their playoff streak for more and more years.

However, Trotz isn't focused on the number of wins he has. The only thing left that he wants to add to his resume is a Stanley Cup. 

The Nashville Predators have been the pesky little brother to the NHL's elite in recent years and haven't made much noise, but a brilliant off-the-ice job by GM David Poile and a deep roster has the Preds in prime position to make a Stanley Cup run.

The last missing piece was Alexander Radulov, The Russian phenom is widely-considered to be the best non-NHL player. After arriving last week, he may only be around for this year's postseason run. So far, though, he's shown no jet lag and seems to be firing on all cylinders.

Poile worked his magic and wowed the NHL despite not moving soon-to-be free agents Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. He's helped to revitalize Hal Gill's career in Nashville as the veteran has gelled nicely with a defense that needed leadership past its first line.

The Preds also reeled in Andrei Kostitsyn from Montreal, a highly-skilled forward with a goal-scoring touch that Nashville needs. He joins his brother Sergei in Nashville and often plays alongside him on their deadly power play.

The addition of Paul Gaustad has improved Nashville as one of the best face-off teams and has helped on many a penalty kill.   

The Preds' strengths undoubtedly start with Weber and Suter, the NHL's top defensive line and perennial Norris Trophy candidates year in and year out. The suffocating play in their zone is unparalleled in the Western Conference. Both stars rank among the top-five in ice time per game.

Weber and Suter's quarterbacking play in the offensive zone is just as impressive. The top-line defensemen have led Nashville to the league's best power play (21.7 percent). Weber's piercing shot is among the best in hockey and Suter has the touch and mobility to act as a fourth forward during the man-advantage. 

Nashville's spread-it-around style of play has resulted in consistent scoring. Usually a low-scoring team, the Preds have a whopping 10 skaters with 10 or more goals.

While many contenders that the Preds may face have lethal top-lines that can score multiple goals game-in and game-out, Nashville is four-, sometimes five- lines deep. Look for unlikely scoring lines of Brandon Yip, Matt Halischuk and Jordin Tootoo to squeak in some goals in the playoffs.

Nashville's depth is even more present in the playoffs. The biggest goal in Preds history, the Game-5 overtime-winner in 2011 that led to their first playoff series win against Anaheim, was scored by Jerred Smithson. Smithson scored only 13 points that season, five points in 53 games this season and has since been traded for one sixth-round pick.    

Top-line forward Martin Erat is having a great year, running away with the team's point-lead (18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points). Excluding the new-addition Radulov, the Preds' top six each have 40 or more points. 

Did I mention they have one of the best goaltenders in the world in Pekka Rinne?

This Nashville team is just weeks away from finishing on top of fierce-rival Detroit Red Wings in the standings, the first time in history that would happen.  

Of course, Nashville's strength begins with the 'Big Three' of Rinne, Weber and Suter. But what puts this team over the top is their incredibly deep roster and the additions of Radulov, Kostitsyn and Gill.

His hockey résumé and list of honours is anything but humble. Ryan Ellis, Nashville’s rising young star on defence, however, most certainly is.

He has four gold medals while wearing the Team Canada jersey, two Memorial Cups with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), top OHL defenceman honours in 2009 and 2011 and the OHL’s most outstanding player award in 2011.

But it doesn’t end there.

Ellis was also named the Canadian Hockey League’s Top Defenceman and Player of the Year in 2011.

Still, it’s only a fraction of what the 11th overall selection of the Predators in 2009 has accomplished prior to his NHL career.

For the native of Freelton, Ontario, a town just west of Toronto, having the opportunity to make an impact with a Nashville squad looking to win its’ first championship is as motivating as it gets.

“I didn't quite expect it,” said Ellis, of being chosen by Nashville. “But I couldn't be happier that it happened. It's a great place to play hockey and grow up. We’ve got a great group of guys and they are all so supportive. Everyone is close and everyone wants each other to succeed.”

With Ellis, Nashville gets a smooth-skating blueliner with plenty of offensive upside and a veteran savvy.

The 21-year-old also has one of the game’s top rearguards to learn from in the form of Shea Weber, Nashville’s captain, a respected leader who happens to possess one of the league’s hardest shots.

“That's one of the first thoughts that came to my mind when I was drafted,” said Ellis, who began his international career with Canada by winning three gold medals in 2008 at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF World U18 Championship and Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. “He’s an unbelievable player that can do everything. If we could run the power play together one day, that would be very exciting. He's a great player. But the whole defensive corps is great.”

Ellis, who netted his 300th career OHL point on February 25, 2011 to become only the third defenceman in OHL history to reach the mark, following Denis Potvin (330 points, 1968–73) and Rick Corriveau (329 points, 1987–92), is getting his first taste of NHL action this season, including his first big-league tally.

On January 7, Ellis, who was the game’s third star, notched his milestone marker courtesy of a slapshot from the top of the right circle at the 14:28 mark of the third period in a 5-2 Nashville win over Carolina.

It was, by his standards, a trademark goal.

“I think for me, I score using the slap shot, top of the circle,” he noted. “On the power play, it’s either a one-timer or something like that. That's always how I've scored goals. I'll get the odd one in close but it's mostly from the back end.”

The Predators brass likely doesn’t care how Ellis lights the lamp. They’re just happy to see the up-and-coming star contributing to a Central Division club eager to make some noise in the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.

It’s obvious the Predators were thrilled with their decision to bring Ellis into the fold.

"This is probably the most dynamic player in the draft, and by far the best offensive defenceman in the draft," said Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile, in the moments after the selection of Ellis. "This will be the guy that could be a big offensive defenseman in the National Hockey League. He will be running the power play and he can help us be the offensive team we are striving to be.”

While he’s less than 50 games into his NHL tenure, the former Windsor captain is showing he’s more than capable of contributing both on offence and defence.

Ellis, who was once tabbed in a poll of OHL coaches as the Western Conference's Smartest Player, top Offensive Defenseman, and the player with the hardest shot, is eager to do whatever he can to see Nashville hang a Stanley Cup banner from the rafters.

“I think someone who I compare myself to is (former NHLPA member) Brian Rafalski, or (Florida defenceman) Brian Campbell, one of the two,” noted Ellis. “They are smaller guys, but they compete physically and they are offensive and very responsible on their own end, as well. I think that's who I would like to be compared to anyway.”

Related Content

With the immense potential he's shown and the uncertain future of Nashville's top defensive players, Ryan Ellis will have a big stamp on this franchise for a number of years to come.

Ellis has been hyped for some time after he was the 11th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and has spent the last few years playing for OHL's Windsor. With a weak back line to their defense, the Predators called up Ellis early in the 2012 campaign.

He dealt with the transition pretty well and has begun to gel as a contributing player on both ends of the ice. His three goals and eight assists, totaling to 11 points, has been a boost offensively to Nashville.

It's unclear what path Ryan Suter will take in free agency, but it's certain that he will get some big-time offers if he tests the waters.

Suter's departure would leave a gaping hole in this Predators team that could eventually be replaced by Ellis. 

Ellis is a bit less fundamental than Suter, but is more of a weapon from the point on the power play. Suter likes to act as a fourth forward in the offensive zone, but Ellis would add another deep point presence alongside Weber.

With Weber looking to become a restricted free agent, his time in Nashville could be numbered. While Ellis couldn't replace the pound-for-pound strength and size that Weber brings to the ice, he could use his slap shot in replacement somewhat effectively.

Ellis is the captain of a three-headed monster of young Preds' defensive prospects, alongside Roman Josi and Jonathon Blum.

While all three are good trade bait, the Preds don't seem likely to make any big moves in the near future with their latest additions. All efforts will be going toward re-signing Suter and Weber while keeping Russian star Alexander Radulov in Nashville for next season.

Suter and Weber would undoubtedly be Nashville's top defensive line for many years if they were to stay in the "Music City" with long term deals, but that possibility doesn't seem like a done deal. If either one was to depart, Ellis will be the first one to step in in all likelihood. 

It's taken four years, but Alexander Radulov will make—or remake—his Nashville Predators tonight.

The team is in Pittsburgh for a pivotal game in terms of standings for both clubs, but Radulov will remain the biggest focus.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Predators general manager David Poile said, “Adding the best player in the world not currently in the National Hockey League can only help the Nashville Predators."

“Alex is a terrific talent and a proven goal-scorer who will now have a chance to help the Predators and play against the best teams and players in the world. We always believed he would return. We welcome him back and look forward to his contributions,” added Poile.

Radulov's last action in the NHL came in 2007-08, recording 26 goals and 32 assists in 81 games.

The previous season, Radulov had 18 goals and 19 assists in 64 games as a rookie.

Nashville enters tonight's contest one point behind Detroit for fourth place in the Western Conference while Pittsburgh sits three points back of the New York Rangers for the outright Atlantic and Eastern Conference lead.

Radulov should provided even more of a boost to a Predators team ranked first on the power play (21.6) and eighth in goals per game (2.81).

Over the past four seasons Radulov has played for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League, winning the KHL scoring title the past two years and league MVP in 2010 and 2011.

Ryan O'Leary is a writer and researcher for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic hockey tournament with CTV and has spent time covering the IIHF World Championships, NHL and collegiate hockey during his career.

With the anticipation of long-awaited Russian star Alexander Radulov's return to the Nashville Predators growing by the minute, yet another twist has come out in the drawn-out process.

Radulov will still be returning to the Predators this week and should be an asset to their playoff run, but he could be gone in the offseason. TSN and Puck Daddy's Dmitry Chesnokov revealed Monday afternoon that Radulov still has major obligations to his KHL team, Salavat Yulaev, for next season.

"Radulov's return 2 the NHL is conditioned on him returning to the KHL next season (according to KHL Pres Medvedev)"

"Medvedev said Radulov was allowed to buy out this season only with the understanding he'd be back. If not, he'd have to pay 2/3 of next yrs"

"Radulov's next year's KHL contract is around $5m I was told." 

                —via Twitter @dchesnokov

These developments come after weeks of positive news regarding the odd situation that would allow Nashville to add arguably the best non-NHL player in the world. During the Preds' 3-1 win over Anaheim Sunday, Russian reporter Slava Malamud broke news that Radulov was finally cleared from this year's obligations to his KHL team.

"Radulov and Salavat appear to have reached a deal allowing A-Rad to leave for Nashville now. Salavat to keep his KHL rights"

                 —via Twitter @slavamalamud

Head coach Barry Trotz even confirmed to the Tennessean's Joshua Cooper that he should be with the team early this week and make his return Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  

In other words, he'll still be making his return to Nashville this week, but the once-realistic expectation of re-signing the much-needed scoring presence long-term has taken a crunching blow. 

Radulov's offseason scenario adds yet another question mark for this Nashville team going forward. Will GM David Poile have enough to dangle out in front of star defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter to re-sign now that his biggest bait could be on his way back to his home country?

One thing is certain, however. If the Preds weren't all in for this season before, they are now.  

At long last, Alexander Radulov is returning to the NHL and the Nashville Predators.

Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Radulov's agent Yuri Nikolaev told Russian news outlet Sovetsky Sport, "...the matter has been resolved within the framework of the KHL Regulations. Alexander is leaving for Nashville."

As late as last week, Radulov was ready to rejoin Nashville, though he had not yet received permission to leave from his Russian club, Salavat Yulaev.

Now an agreement is in place and Radulov is free to join Nashville for at least the rest of this season, including the playoffs, and potentially longer.

Nashville's next game is Tuesday evening at home against the Edmonton Oilers, but there is no word if Radulov will in uniform for that early.

The team is in Pittsburgh on Thursday and then returns back to Nashville on Saturday for a game against Winnipeg. That could be the likeliest return date for the Russian star.

Radulov last played for Nashville in 2007-08, posting 26 goals and 58 points in 81 games for the Predators. His decision to return to Russia after that season sparked intense controversy between the NHL and KHL regarding mutual respect for contracts.

With this latest dispute and roadblock cleared, Nashville can look forward to having arguably the most talented player in franchise history back on the ice for the playoff run.

Currently, Nashville sits fourth in the Western Conference with 92 points, and with St. Louis in firm grasp of the Central Division lead, the Predators will jockey with Detroit to maintain the four seed with 10 games remaining.

The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs saw the Predators make the franchise's deepest playoff run, losing in six games to the Vancouver Canucks in the conference semifinals.

Radulov's return will likely strengthen a Nashville offense ranked ninth in the NHL in goals per game (2.8) and clicking at 21.6 percent on the power play, second best in the league.

Nashville drafted Radulov in the first round, 15th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft.

Ryan O'Leary is a writer and researcher for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic hockey tournament with CTV and has spent time covering the IIHF World Championships, NHL and collegiate hockey during his career.

Alexander Radulov is close to rejoining the Nashville Predators, according to sources with ties to the situation. Radulov was drafted 15th overall in 2004 by the Predators, and he showed a lot of potential before defecting to the KHL after the 2007-08 season.

Rumors surfaced that Radulov wanted to rejoin the Predators, and things are looking like he could rejoin the team sooner rather than later.

Joshua Cooper, Predators beat writer for the The Tennessean, provides these tweets as an update on the Nashville front:

Trotz said to his understanding the release was the issue with Radulov. Said he thought he was supposed to come over Friday.

— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) March 19, 2012

Trotz: I know David (Poile) talked to his agent and his agent said he was planning to make his way to Nashville

— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) March 19, 2012

Here is a tweet from Sports-Express' Slava Malamud, a foreign correspondent and contributor to NHL.com:

Sport-Express reports Radulov's talks w/ KHL, Salavat are over. He'll fly to Ufa tomorrow, most likely leave for Nashville later this week.

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) March 19, 2012

The situation has been very complicated since the rumor of Radulov's aspirations to play in the NHL again emerged. The talented Russian forward and all-time KHL leading scorer controversially ditched the Predators to sign a lucrative deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL.

It was a move that brought some tension between Radulov and the Predators. Now, Radulov is attempting to ditch the KHL in favor of a return to the NHL. 

The Nashville Predators are a strong playoff contender, and it appears that the KHL star forward will be joining the Predators for a playoff push, which may put them over the top.

It is a move that not many teams are thrilled with. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun had this to say about the situation:

[Predators GM David] Poile and [NHL Deputy Commissioner Billy] Daly were in constant contact over the past week because the league had to rule on Radulov’s possible re-entry to the NHL. A source told ESPN.com that the league decided Radulov would not require NHL waivers if he decided to return and he would be eligible for both the regular season and playoffs.

Talk about a bonus for Nashville if that happens. And talk about some possibly angry NHL team rivals. 

The league also needed the NHLPA to sign off on it and the union did, a source told ESPN.com. 

A player like Radulov would really benefit the Predators offensively and add to their overall team strength, helping Nashville contend with some of the Western Conference powerhouses.

The Predators have the defense, they have the goaltending, and with Radulov complementing their current forward group, they could really make some noise in the postseason.

Presently, this is only a rumor, so check back with the Bleacher Report NHL page as more information becomes available. In addition, for cap information on Radulov, check Cap Geek for updates in the event progress is made.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist.

For more NHL news, updates and alerts about players:

There are several serious contenders for a Stanley Cup this year. New York is having one of their best seasons in years, Pittsburgh has Hart Trophy candidate Evgeni Malkin and a returning Sidney Crosby, and St. Louis has a two goalie tandem that is leading the West. 

One more team you should add to your pre-playoff favorites is the Nashville Predators. 

Not only do they have the 10th-least goals allowed in the league (Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne are two scary names for offenses), they also balance out their squad with the eighth-most goals scored. 

The Predators have formed a top six highlighted by the Kostitsyn brothers, gritty forward Mike Fisher, and diehard Predator, David Legwand.

Imagine that offense injected with Russian sensation, Alexander Radulov. Today it's been reported that Radulov is eyeing a return to the surging Predators before the playoffs. 

Don't remember Radulov? That's because he only played 145 NHL games with the Predators and abandoned ship to the KHL in 2008.

However, Radulov scored 95 points in those 145 games and has only improved his game since leaving. Each of his first three seasons in the KHL saw him raise his point production year after year. In 2010-2011, Radulov recorded 80 points in 54 games, leading the KHL in scoring.

His latest season, Radulov had 63 points in only 50 games, again leading the entire KHL.

Scary, right?

If Radulov can return to the Predators soon, he should be able to acclimate to their system in time for a deep playoff run. 

This would make Nashville the most balanced squad on offense, defense and in the cage in the league. 

After years and years of playoff disappointment, could this be the year that an actual offensive threat comes out of Nashville?

It certainly looks like it.

Don't be surprised if Nashville turns a lot of heads come April and if Radulov has made a surging return back to the states.