Predators Rinkside Reporter Kara Hammer is responsible for the moniker Preds Broadcasters Willy Daunic and Chris Mason now use nightly to refer to the three - the Herd Line.
For those purposes, think of Sissons as "Colt," Trenin as "Yak" and Olivier as the "Biloxi Bull," the latter being named for his birthplace and his bull-like qualities on the ice.
It's catchy, it's appropriate and no matter the situation, the Herd Line just seems to get things done.
"They set the tone," Hynes said of the line. "They win a lot of their shifts, and I think when you look at what they do on the forecheck with their offensive zone play, they kind of inspire the group a bit. When you see the work ethic that they're putting in, and not only the work ethic, but now you see the success that they're having with the type of chances they're getting, [it's impressive]."
By now, Sissons is well established as a full-time NHLer in his fifth full season with the Preds, and the other two are on their way to doing the same. Both Trenin (25 games) and Olivier (24 games) have reached career highs in the category this season, and Olivier's first three NHL goals have all come over the past two months as well, including two in back-to-back wins over Detroit last week.
While the production on the scoresheet is certainly welcome, the three know their role when they climb over the boards, and they enjoy contributing together in any way they can.
"They're two really good players, and they play hard, they've got really good talent, but also they have outstanding work ethic," Olivier said of skating with Sissons and Trenin. "The way Yak [drives] the net and goes in there, he does that game in game out, and I think Colton really brings that maturity and that calmness to our line. Sometimes, we're trying to build energy, and we can get excited and sometimes you get over the line. I'll be the first to say sometimes it brings some penalties, too, but I think that's part of our game and if we want to play on that edge, then that's something that happens, and Colton really brings that maturity to our game. We gel really well together."
