The Predators and their fans are facing another longer-than-they-wanted offseason, thanks to Nashville's first-round playoff loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Some questions and potential answers as the Predators look to the offseason and the 2010-11 campaign: 1. Will the coaches be back?: Yes, as well they should be after guiding this team to 100 points in the regular season and a fifth playoff berth in the last six seasons. I would guess that no one —and I mean no one — without a rooting interest in the Predators picked this team to reach the playoffs. After all, Nashville was coming off a 10th-place finish in the Western Conference and had lost a couple of key contributors. Are there problems the coaching staff must address? Certainly. The special teams were a disaster for the better part of the regular season and the playoffs. But what shouldn't be devalued is the way these coaches have created an atmosphere and playing style conducive for annual overachieving. Related http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100428/SPORTS02/4280392/2163
The Preds played a tough series against the Hawks. More experience for Rinne is greatly needed for their success. He was a wall at times.
