This Spring in Nashville sports has seen two programs, one with a rich history and another trying to build one, with the highest ever expectations, both failing to achieve what was so long in building up.  Both had one monumental success along the way but each seemed to place a bit too much significance on that singular achievement, losing sight of the future and what was right in front of their faces.

Vanderbilt men’s basketball coach Kevin Stallings had worked 13 years to finally put together a roster full of Vanderbilt type kids, with NBA abilities, to take on and beat the likes of Kentucky and achieve a Final Four.  While everything seemed in place nothing ever seemed as it should have been, until three magic days in March that did bring the Commodores their first SEC Championship in 61 years, capped by a win over eventual national champion Kentucky.  We saw their promise that day; this team was talented enough to win a national championship themselves.

Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile, and head coach Barry Trotz, had toiled for 13 seasons, searching for that right moment where all the stars would line up, both literally and figuratively, to bring Nashville a chance at a Stanley Cup.  The stability was finally there, the finances were finally there, the interest was finally at that level from the community, and Poile went for it.  Valuable draft choices were happily sacrificed, future stability put on shaky ground, all in a quest to win the Cup.  Experts believed in this team, the city was Cup Crazy.  The Predators then had their own 10-day run of magic in April seeing them put away their nemesis, the Detroit Red Wings, in five games dominating them as few have in the Wings’ 19-year run at or near the top of the NHL.  We saw their promise then; this team was capable of winning a Stanley Cup.

But, as Vanderbilt basketball did, the Predators made a classic mistake you cannot make and be ultimate champions, they placed too much ceremony on the process and lost sight of that prize.  Vandy had an amazing victory in New Orleans at the SEC; the real goal though was having one in New Orleans at the Final Four.  Vanderbilt lost focus and by the time they regained it, a tough defensive-minded Wisconsin team had put a wall in the way they could not break through.

The Predators had their greatest victory, and then seemed to behave as though the prize had been won, as though the hardest work was already done.  Nashville lost focus going to Phoenix, lost their identity, and was embarrassed in losing Games 1 and 2.  By the time their feet were back on the ground, an extraordinary goaltender with an ordinary name had built a wall virtually no puck could ever get through.  The Predators scored one goal the last 8 ½ periods against goaltender Mike Smith.  Now the Predators season is over, and the dust clouds are still rising.

So what happens now? Poile’s rebuilding job will not be as extensive as Stallings’, not by a long shot, but where do they go from here? Defenseman Ryan Suter is an unrestricted free agent and will be the first domino, if he goes elsewhere the writing figures to be on the wall regarding the willingness of restricted free agent, captain Shea Weber, to negotiate in good faith to stay.  After that comes all the deadline acquisitions, none of which are signed for next season, including Alexander Radulov.  After what Radulov pulled in the Phoenix series, and considering the chemistry disruption he proved to be, is bringing him back really an option? Is that a carrot Poile may have to dangle to entice the Preds’ all-star defense duo to come back? All they want is the promise of annual Stanley Cup contention to negotiate in good faith to stay, a firm commitment that whatever necessary will be done.  But with the promise of this spring left unfulfilled, what is the promise for the Predators’ future ones? The puck is now in David Poile’s crease.