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Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis.
Got a question or a suggestion? Feel free to email the.forechecker@gmail.com, or you can catch him on Twitter (@Forechecker).
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Colin Wilson and Nolan Yonkman recalled by the Nashville Predators, Cody Franson to IR
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 9, 2010 1:43 PM EST
15 comments
Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis set off a firestorm of conversation among Preds fans earlier today when he posted the following on Twitter:
I hear we are calling willy and yonks up. It will be good to see those guys again...been awhile.
"Willy", of course, is Colin Wilson, the 2008 1st-round draft pick who has gotten on a roll lately after injury concerns slowed him during the opening months of the season. "Yonks" is Nolan Yonkman, the captain of the Milwaukee Admirals, a 28-year-old defensive blueliner with 50 games of NHL experience across three seasons with Washington. He's in his fourth season with Milwaukee, but this is his first callup to Nashville. Click his name in the info box below to check out his scouting report:
This triggers all sorts of questions, naturally. Will Wilson play on the wing, given the presence of Cal O'Reilly and Marcel Goc at center? Does Yonkman's callup mean that another defenseman is on his way out via trade (like Dan Hamhuis)?
UPDATE: Marcel Goc will not play tonight, so Wilson presumably fills a center spot.
The text of the team's press release follows after the jump. One very important point to note here is that Yonkman's recall is not related to a roster emergency, so if he plays 10 games or stays on the roster for 30 days, he would have to pass through waivers if sent back down to Milwaukee (hence the trade speculation).
UPDATE #2: We can probably set aside the trade speculation for the moment, as the team mentioned via Twitter that Dan Hamhuis' wife Sarah is about to deliver their 2nd child, so that would explain why they need an extra D on hand right now.
As the PR notes, defenseman Cody Franson has been placed on injured reserve due to his rib injury.
15 comments | 0 recs |
Tuesday's news: To trade, or not to trade, that is the question all around the NHL
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 9, 2010 10:50 AM EST
in Breakfast Links
1 comment
With the NHL standings typically jam-packed around the #8 and final playoff position in both conferences, the question in many cities is whether or not their GM's should pick up a difference-making player to bolster their team's chances for a long playoff run, or pack it in and obtain some value that will pay off down the road.
This morning after the jump, we've got that question being raised, as well as reaction to major changes in Montreal, and an ugly confrontation between a blogger and Mike Milbury at Sunday's Washington/Pittsburgh game...
1 comment | 0 recs |
Predators Game Day Preview: Predators @ Islanders
by Chris Burton on Feb 9, 2010 2:00 AM EST
1 comment
The Nashville Predators battle the New York Islanders this evening, in a game pitting two of the league's surprises this year. The Predators, 31-22-4 with 66 points are hanging on to the 8th and final playoff spot in the West, while the Islanders sit a mere five points out of eighth in the East with a 23-27-8 mark and 54 points. Swing by Lighthouse Hockey to catch up on some Islanders news.
Tonight marks the beginning of a four game Eastern Conference road swing before the beginning of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Predators will hope to have Marcel Goc back in the lineup, and look to take advantage of playing an average opponent before taking on the likes of New Jersey and Pittsburgh.
Be sure and check out my interview with Islanders blogger Dominik, and follow after the jump for breakdown...
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Cal O'Reilly, finally an NHL regular with Nashville?
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 8, 2010 7:48 PM EST
in Appearances & Interviews
2 comments
By sticking with the Nashville Predators after a number of injured teammates returned to the lineup, Cal O'Reilly now has enough NHL experience to qualify for waivers, and it appears that he'll stick in Nashville for the time being. It's a fine achievement for a guy who's ridden the Milwaukee/Nashville express quite a bit in recent years.
Today on the Thom Abraham Show, Cal (coming off a 3-assist night vs. San Jose) talked about his plans for the Olympic break, and how the Predators appear to be set up for a busy week on the road. You can listen to the segment via the following link:
Cal O'Reilly on Thom Abraham Show 20100208
It will be interesting to see how the ice time is split between O'Reilly and Marcel Goc. Cal's definitely here to contribute offensively, while Goc is valued for his defensive responsibility and faceoff skills. So don't be surprised if Goc's production tails off over the coming weeks; it may be more a case of O'Reilly getting more of that opportunity.
2 comments | 0 recs |
All signs point to Bridgestone as Nashville Predators arena sponsor, despite official "no comment"
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 8, 2010 4:27 PM EST
4 comments
Despite "no comment" responses from officials with both the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone about a potential arena naming rights deal in the making (as reported by Brandon Gee at the Nashville Business Journal earlier today), evidence continues to mount that Bridgestone will indeed take over as the naming sponsor for the Predators' arena (currently the Sommet Center) in the near future.
CoolSprings.com, which first broke this story last Friday, posted a series of internet domain registrations that have been made in recent weeks by Bridgestone, presumably reserving them for use relative to a new arena name. Over a dozen variations of "Bridgestone", "BridgestoneTire", "Arena", "Center", and "Centre" were all created and reserved by Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. at the end of last month.
It's understandable that the official parties involved can't say anything until all the i's are dotted and the t's crossed, but all signs point to a very positive development for the Nashville Predators here.
I checked a few other variations, and "Place" is also another word they've reserved. "Bridgestone Place", perhaps? "FirestoneArena.com" is not registered, so it doesn't appear that Firestone is likely to be part of the name.
What variations can you come up with that make sense here?
4 comments | 0 recs |
5 Questions with a New York Islanders blogger
by Chris Burton on Feb 8, 2010 1:36 PM EST
6 comments
Before tomorrow night's game against the New York Islanders, Lighthouse Hockey's managing editor Dominik was kind enough to talk to me about the Islanders, John Tavares, Rick DiPietro, and more.
The Islanders are in the middle of a playoff chase, but have recently gone on quite a skid.
Continue below for the interview...
6 comments | 0 recs
Monday's news: Is an "investment" in Jordin Tootoo a wise choice?
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 8, 2010 10:42 AM EST
in Breakfast Links
5 comments
The Nashville Predators head out for New York City where they'll take on the Islanders, Rangers and Devils this week; hey, if they can make it there, they can make it anywhere, right?
NASHVILLE RADIO UPDATE: Congratulations go out to the Thom Abraham Show, which is moving up to the "drive time" slot of 3:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays on 560-AM WNSR as of today.
After the jump, we've got your hockey news and notes to start your week - Barry Trotz says that the Jordin Tootoo contract extension is an "investment" in player he expects will improve, we have a review of Nashville's development system that includes surprising speculation about which rookie might make the Predators next season, and another trade that went through yesterday, even though almost a month remains until the Trade Deadline.
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Trotz on future captain | Predators Insider
An interesting topic for you to think over before the Super Bowl. Preds beat writer John Glennon asked Barry Trotz when we would see a lifetime Predator become team captain. Follow the link for his thoughts on the subject.
1 day ago
Chris Burton
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