Audio: Preds GM David Poile on Second Half Outlook

The Nashville Predators have just crossed the halfway point of the regular season. The defending Western Conference Champions have 58 points in their first 43 games - currently among the top contenders in the West. Some notable numbers regarding the remaining schedule:
Home Heavy:
Of Nashville's 39 games, 21 are at home, where the Predators have gone 14-4-2 thus far. Six of the next seven are at Bridgestone Arena.
Strength of Schedule:
Last season, the Predators made a remarkable second-half run after an inconsistent first three months. They did this despite a very difficult schedule (sixth-toughest in terms of opponents' point percentage) following the All-Star Break. It also included a whirlwind 26 games over the final 50 days
[as I documented in a blog last year
].

This season, the NHL is not sending their players to the Winter Olympics. Nor did they play a preseason World Cup of Hockey as they did last season. As a result, the schedule is not as condensed. Nashville has only five sets of back-to-back games left on the schedule: two in February and three in March.
Also, the Predators "on paper" (a dangerous term) have a less difficult road to the postseason in terms of opponents' point percentage. Using that metric, STATS Inc. currently ranks the Predators with the seventh-easiest remaining schedule. Of course, nothing in the NHL is "easy," plenty of work remains.
With that, General Manager David Poile joined the Preds' flagship station 102.5 The Game for an evaluation and second-half outlook prior to Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the upstart Vegas Golden Knights.
Topics to pay attention to while you listen:
1. The Preds have had a solid, consistent first half, but must continue to improve in order to get to the playoffs with a chance to win a championship. The Central Division is deep and balanced (every single team has a positive goal differential and a point percentage over .500), so there is not much margin for error.
2. A discussion of the success of the Vegas Golden Knights (who currently lead the Western Conference). Why have they been so successful?
3. An explanation of the communication between the Predators' coaches on the bench and the personnel in the video room in order to be as successful as possible with the NHL challenge system.
4. A look at the early influence of Ryan Ellis since his recent return to the lineup.
5. The latest outlook for talented, 2017 first-round pick Eeli Tolvanen. Could he be someone who fits into the Predators' plans this season? How do his impressive KHL numbers translate?
6. The Predators scouting staff is gathering in Nashville this week to discuss strategy in advance of this season's NHL trade deadline (Feb. 26). Poile: "We've given up some good young players recently (for a player like Kyle Turris), but we still like our depth."
The Predators aren't "beggars" for new talent, according to Poile. But they would like to explore all options to improve the roster. If there is an opportunity, it appears Poile would like to add one more forward.
7. What is the profile of a veteran forward who might be a fit for Nashville? Among the characteristics:
8. What effect does the Predators strong winning culture have on potentially bringing in an outsider - even one that might have questions about his character? Poile: "If you work hard and you want to win, it shouldn't be that hard to fit in on this team."