David Poile was extended through the 2014-15 Season by the Predators earlier today, showing that ownership has put a great vote of confidence forward in the job he's been doing.

This year has been the "poster season" for "the Predators Way" as the team has borne the fruits of good scouting and drafting. The majority of the team was drafted and developed within the system, while the depth of top prospects has given Poile the flexibility to make the occasional shrewd trade for players like Mike Fisher, Sergei Kostitsyn and Hal Gill. Poile has dipped into the free agent market at the right times adding veteran pieces like Francis Bouillon. And even waiver plucks like Brandon Yip. Yes, the ways to build a team are many and varied, but Poile has shown the ability to take what he's given and in concert with Head Coach Barry Trotz put things together in a manner that has seen the Predators make the playoffs every year but once since the lockout ended -- and even that one blip they were in the hunt 'till the final weekend of the season.

The other subtle side of this extension is that is does much to help guarantee the continued trajectory of the team. Nashville's stock has been rising as of late and it appears that with this extension it should continue to do so through 2014-15. There won't be any radical overhauls or panic buttons pressed, just the steady building of assets and on-ice product. Given the team's performance so far this season, there is definite reason for optimism now and in the future.