Smashville Scope: March 30

The Smashville Scope presented by JOCKEY prepares fans for the week ahead with news, videos and clips from the past week, plus, game and event info for the next seven days. Use promo code "GOAL" to save 25% on your next JOCKEY purchase.
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The concept itself seems so simple.
Of course, players and coaches communicate with each other - the game couldn't be played with a team acting as a cohesive unit if they weren't - but like everything at the NHL level, there is always a strategic element involved.
There are benefits for all, but those who are less experienced certainly do themselves a favor by acting as sponges every chance they get.
Philip Tomasino is one of those soaking up the available knowledge, and 61 games into his first NHL season, the rookie winger has noticed a transformation in himself and his game.

"Something I've tried to implement a little bit more is to be more of an all-around player," Tomasino said. "I'm always talking to our coaches and talking to our guys, just always asking questions and seeing what I can improve on."
Those conversations have certainly helped Tomasino's cause, but there's a method as to when and where the instruction comes from - or who is delivering the message. Predators Head Coach John Hynes is well-versed in the teaching craft, but he knows he can't be the only one imparting wisdom all the time. So, he enlists some assistance from those who have also been around and have ideas to offer.
"It's really a multitude of things," Hynes said of his team's communication strategies. "One, I think that's why you need to have real quality veterans that care about the young guys. They care about the team, and they're willing to share advice and seek guys out and help them on their own. That's an important part of the player dynamic to the team, and we certainly have that. As the coach, a lot of times you lean on those guys. I've had some meetings with players - like there was a time when we sat out Philip, and I met with Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen and [said], 'This is a situation where we've got to keep [him positive]. You guys have been through this; what do you think the best way to handle it is? We need your support as a coaching staff and talking with Philip and helping him understand the process that he's going through.'
"That's the way you can facilitate it as a coach. Or there might be times where he's doing some things really well or some things where you need to see more, and you can meet with certain players on the team and kind of talk to those guys and say, 'Hey, it'd be great if this came from you.' I think we've had a good team effort between us trying to facilitate some things but also having it organically within the team. And the other part, to Philip Tomasino's credit, he's a receptive guy. He's receptive to the players giving him advice or getting on him a little bit about certain things, and same thing with the coaches. So, it works both ways. The player also has to be receptive and coachable, and he certainly is."

Now a veteran of 13 NHL seasons, Duchene welcomes the opportunity to serve as a leader in that manner and sit down with Tomasino from time to time - and for as much as Tomasino gets out of the conversations, Duchene feels the same.
"It's really important," Duchene said of being there for younger players. "I remember being a young guy and going through ups and downs, and I had some really good veterans that helped me out… We've all been there as a young player. We know exactly what it's like, and it's different than it used to be. So, it's the best era possible for having veteran guys work with those young guys to talk to them and communicate. I'm talking to Tommer all the time. I see him going on to be an elite player in this League… This is a development year for him, and he's playing very well, but he's got several other gears that he'll get to in his career as he continues to learn. If I can help him get there, it's my responsibility as a veteran leader on this team to do that. It's something I love doing, and every time he succeeds, it's really exciting for all of us. It's great to have these young guys on the team. They're all such good kids, and they respect what you say and listen to what you say. You don't try and overwhelm them, but every now and then, you can throw in a little tidbit of advice and encouragement, for sure."
That support has helped Tomasino to 10 goals and 25 points thus far with another month to go in the regular season, and 10 of those points have come in his last 16 outings as he seemingly improves in some way just about every time he steps on the ice.
His natural talent has always been there, but sometimes at this stage in a young player's career, a willingness to listen is the most important skill of all. Tomasino has that, and he's enjoying the benefits of simply taking it all in.
"I think I've definitely improved a lot from October, but I still think there's a lot of things that I need to continue to work on," Tomasino said. "But I can be proud of how far I've come throughout the year. There are still a lot of things I need to continue to work on, and hopefully I can continue to get better - and also hopefully for playoffs - to be more of an all-around player, for sure."

Trenin's Offensive Output:

Tanner Jeannot has stolen most of the attention among the trio of players that make up Nashville's Herd Line - and understandably so - but the winger to the left of Colton Sissons is also having himself quite a time this season.
Yakov Trenin - gritty, hard-hitting and seemingly fearless after fighting 6-foot-9 opponent Zdeno Chara twice in his young career - has found another element to his game over the past few months.
Don't look now, but the 25-year-old Trenin is flirting with the 20-goal mark, now just three tallies away after potting two in Sunday's 5-4 win over Philadelphia.
Trenin's goal-scoring prowess is just one more pleasant surprise in a campaign full of them for the Preds, and with one more month to go in the regular season, he may just find himself as one of Nashville's top talliers for the first time.

"Trenin is really similar to Tanner in the sense that he's an identity player," Hynes said. "I think we all see how he works and his size and his physicality, and he's done a really good job. He's grown into a top-four penalty killer, but he's got some offensive game. He's got a good shot. He can score in multiple ways, and he can shoot the puck right into the net by the goalies because he's got a good shot. He gets tips and rebounds, he's strong on the puck, and what's nice to see with him is that I think he really understands what his identity is as a player and how he can have success. He understands that we expect him to produce offense the way that he can produce offense, and it's nice to see that he hasn't veered from that."

Josi Continuing Record Pace:

Roman Josi's point streak came to an end on Tuesday night after 13 games.
Now that the sad news is out of the way, let's get back to yet another week of almost unfathomable numbers for Nashville's captain.
In the midst of the best season of his career, Josi continues to lead the conversation not only for the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman, but some pundits now believe he also deserves a look for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP.
He's certainly got the numbers to back those assertions up.
Josi continues to lead all NHL defensemen and is tied for ninth in the NHL in points this season with 81 (18g-63a). He's established career highs in goals (18), assists (63) and points (81), and his 18 goals are tied for the second-most among NHL blueliners.

After another successful week, Josi has joined four others on the list of NHL defensemen to record at least 81 points in a season since 1995-96: Brian Leetch (85 in 1995-96); Brent Burns (83 in 2018-19); Ray Bourque (82 in 1995-96); and Erik Karlsson (82 in 2015-16). He tallied his 60th assist of the season in his 62nd game, the fewest games by a defenseman to reach the mark since Sergei Zubov (61 GP in 1993-94 with NY Rangers).
Josi finished with 28 points in March, just the third defenseman in NHL history to accumulate as many in a calendar month - following Paul Coffey (3x) and Bobby Orr (2x), and he recorded four straight games with at least three points (2g-11a) from March 13-19. Orr (6 GP in 1970-71) is the only other defenseman in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
With one month and 15 games to go, the century mark is certainly still in reach for Josi, and while the Preds make their push toward the postseason, their captain's records are also making for appointment viewing.

Milwaukee Admirals Update:

The Ads dropped a two-game set in Texas over the weekend, but they bounced back to close out their March schedule with a 5-3 victory over Rockford on Tuesday night. Mathieu Olivier, Marc Del Gaizo, Graham Knott, Cole Smith and Joseph LaBate all tallied in the win, and newcomer Alex Biega dished out three assists from the backend.
Rocco Grimaldi hasn't played since March 12 due to injury, but he still leads the Admirals with 26 goals and 52 points. He's followed by Cole Schneider (24g-26a) and Cody Glass (10g-40a) with 50 points each. Goaltender Connor Ingram has 26 wins and five shutouts on the season.
Milwaukee has just 12 games to play in the month of April as their campaign winds down, and they remain third in the AHL's Central Division with 32 wins and 72 points through 64 games.

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Save of the Week:

Predators Official Podcast:

The 2022 NHL Trade Deadline has passed, and the stretch run is officially here. The Predators acquire defenseman Jeremy Lauzon at the Deadline and continue to negotiate a contract with Filip Forsberg. Head from Preds General Manager David Poile on those topics - plus, Predators Assistant Coach Dan Hinote joins the show for an entertaining interview. Finally, Brooks Bratten and Kara Hammer look back at Nashville's recent games and answer listener questions.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

In addition to Predators hockey, there are plenty of other exciting events coming to Bridgestone Arena. Make plans to attend your next concert or show today.
Coming Soon:
April 1: Harlem Globetrotters.
Click here for tickets
.
April 6: BPC Presents "MAXWELL - The Night Tour w/ Anthony Hamilton & Joe."
Click here for tickets
.
April 8: 2CELLOS, The Dedicated Tour.
Click here for tickets
.

Week In Review:

Predators and Tennessee Secretary of State Host Voter Registration Event
McCarron, Saros Lead Preds to Victory Over Senators
Jeannots Welcome Baby Boy: "It Was the Longest Flight of My Life"
First-Time Father Jeannot Helps Preds to Comeback Win Over Flyers
Johansen's Drive, Stick Tape Helping Preds to Success This Season
Predators Prospect Report: March 24
Preds Conclude Road Trip with Loss in Vegas