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Predators’ coach Trotz rips Kostitsyn, Smith

Los Angeles Kings v Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators reacts to a call during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Bridgestone Arena on February 7, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Frederick Breedon

Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz had a strong critique of two players - Craig Smith and Sergei Kostitsyn - during his Sunday press conference.

“We expected production from Sergei and Craig Smith and we got none,” Trotz told the Examiner.com.

“Both those guys, we were looking at them to be top-six, top-seven forwards and we got no production. Craig Smith and Sergei were on power plays all year. I did it to try to get them going. I tried different things to get those guys going.

“I knew that we needed them because we score by committee and we had some committee members that didn’t get ‘er done.”

The 26-year-old Kostitsyn, who has one more year left on his two-year $6 million contact after this season, had just three goals and 15 points in 46 games.

Smith, 23, experienced a downturn in his second NHL season, scoring only four times and 12 points.

Those two players were part of the overwhelming problem, and that was the Predators, ravaged by injuries, had trouble scoring goals.

They finished at the bottom of the NHL, along with the Florida Panthers, in goals-for per game at 2.27.