For the Nashville Predators, this may be the most important off season in team history.  Key free agents and decisions about the coaching staff loom between now and the beginning of next season.

If you believe the national pundits, this is a franchise in deep trouble that rolled the dice on some high priced free agents who couldn't get them past the first round of the playoffs.  What can this franchise do to galvanize their fan base and put them in a position to get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history?

For GM David Poile, it's about tough choices.  Nine years ago, he plucked Barry Trotz out of the Washington Capitals minor league system and installed him as the team's head coach.  Trotz is one of the most decent coaches I've ever been around and he's a good hockey man, but the whispers coming out of the music city are that maybe he's not the guy to take them to the next level (hey, I've heard that line before.)  So Poile and owner Craig Leipold are faced with a difficult decision: To sign Trotz up for one more year and let him finish the job or install a new voice behind the bench who can move the franchise forward quickly.  My gut tells me Poile will give Trotz one more shot.

Then there are the free agents.  Peter Forsberg is undecided whether or not he will play next year and based on his performance this season, I think the Preds will let him move on.  Paul Karia is another matter.  He still has some game left (although he was a non-issue in the playoffs) and his stabilizing influence with the Preds younger players is worth whatever investment Nashville makes.  Captain Kimmo Timonen, who is the only original player left with the team, is also a free agent and will probably move on unless he offers a significant home town discount.  Scott Hartnell has never reached his full potential in Nashville and a change of scenery may be good for the oft injured forward.

When the franchise first came to Nashville, people wondered why Poile chose to grow his own players rather than deal for big names who were available.  The reason is simple, because they learn the system in the minors and their ROI is higher.  Many young players who started in the Preds organization have moved on to contribute to other teams. 

David Poile is a smart man.  He's a second generation hockey man.  He's been around for years.  He's seen just about everything.  And more than anything else, David Poile is patient. 

Lightning Round

• In the chase for Lord Stanley's Cup, Tampa Bay Lightning, thank you for playing, please collect your prize at the door on your way out.  Marty Brodeur made some huge saves down the stretch as the Devils edged Tampa Bay 3-2.
• The Detroit Red Wings finally extinguished the Calgary Flames in six games as Johan Franzen scored at 4:23 of the second overtime to give the Wings a 2-1 win.  As the Flames head toward the golf course, please give it up for Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff who made 53 saves, 18 in OT.  Despite Kiprusoff standing on his head, the Flames could no better than one goal off the aging and offten cranky Dominic Hassek.  If Vancouver wins Monday night against Dallas, then the Wings will play San Jose in round two.  Let's see Ron Wilson try to go after Chris Chelios. Yeah, right. 
  
• Tonight, it's Dallas and Vancouver to settle the score in game seven.  Both Stars captain Brenden Morrow and Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov are expected to play.
  
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• The White Sox were one out away from an exciting come back victory over the Tigers.  They didn't get it.  I keep talking about Ozzie Guillen's management of the bullpen and yesterday was a prime example: The only guy he could trot out in the bottom of the ninth was David Aardsma and I think he was out there because he got the short straw.  Jon Garland once again pitched very well, but got an ND for his trouble.  It's nice to win two out of three from a team in your division, but it's even nicer to sweep, especially when you are only one out away.  The Sox are going to Kansas City (Kansas City here they come) to meet the much improved Royals Monday night.
  
• Please say a prayer for Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo.  No matter what you think of the guy on the air, he passionately loves the Cubs and he has been through so many health issues.  I'm not a Cub fan by any stretch, but I make an exception for old number 10. 
  
• Here are a couple best of, worst of things.  First, it's the best ever draft picks.  Then, the top ten Heisman busts.
  
• Why would any league consider putting a team in Las Vegas?  The distraction to the players alone are a big issue, let alone the fact that gambling is legal there.  If you want to keep your league clean, then don't create the temptation.  Unless of course you are using it as leverage against Seattle.
• RED ALERT, RED ALERT: BRACE FOR ALGORE.
  
• You may recall the night Imus was supposed to apologize to the Rutgers women's basketball team, the governor of New Jersey, in a car, on the way, was involved in a serious accident that put him on a ventilator for over a week.  Now comes word his driver may have cracked the car up while reading e-mail from a woman he was having an affair with.
• Now celebrity chefs are becoming targets of pressure groups.  Poor Paula Deen.  On one hand, she has a contract with a company.  On the other, she has union people (her audience base) who are made she is supporting the company.  It's a tough call for a woman who fifteen years ago was running a catering business out of her home.
• The next time you see a TV ad for some great new fast food item, remember: It only looks good because it is on TV.
• They now have a drug for dogs that helps relieve their separation anxiety.  Personally, I think Butkus D. Dogg enjoys it when we leave.  It's the only time that it's quiet.
• I am not a fan of, nor do I watch reality shows, but this send up of "The Bachelor" was too much to resist.