Crank Up the Trade Speculation in Tennessee...

Just prior to tonight's 3-0 victory over Calgary, Steve Sullivan apparently addressed his teammates in the dressing room and informed that he's not going to be back on the ice during this 2007-8 season, due to the back injury he suffered last spring (article from John Glennon at the Tennessean). This basically puts to bed all the speculation about when he'd be back in the lineup, although his doctors maintain that he should be good to go for next season.

Tonight's game was a dandy, with J.P. Dumont scoring again to keep his hot streak going, and Martin Erat potting one after missing two wide-open backdoor opportunities on a previous power play. Chris Mason was stellar in net, earning his 2nd shutout in his last three starts, and Shea Weber returned to action, looking a bit rusty during his time on the power play. My "unsung hero" award in this one is Greg de Vries, however, who, in the absence of usual agitators Jordin Tootoo and Darcy Hordichuk, seemed to get under the skin of Calgary forwards early and often, particularly Mark Smith and Jarome Iginla.

Since I was at the game enjoying the action with Mrs. Forechecker I wasn't taking detailed notes, but suffice it to say that other than a lousy attendance figure, it was a good night of hockey in Nashville.

Check back tomorrow for speculation on what the Predators need to do now that they know there's no Sully in the cards for 2007-8. You'd better be working those phones, Mr. Poile...