Weekend notes: College hockey getting underway in the South

Are your ready for a busy Saturday? All 30 teams will be on the ice this evening, with the Preds in Chicago (7:30 start, check back later for your Game Day Preview).

After the jump, a little hockey news to get you rolling this morning. We've got a look at college hockey in the Southeast, word that two key Blackhawks might miss tonight's game, and video of a nasty hit on Colorado winger Darcy Tucker...

Predators News

Predators have thrived on NHL's busiest nights - NHL.com
The Preds are 3-0-0 on nights on which all 30 NHL teams played. Why people get paid to write stuff like this is simply beyond me.

Nashville Predators On Campus - NashvillePredators.com
The Preds provide a weekly update on college hockey in the Southeast, including previews for South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Around the NHL

Hawks Still Building Toward Success….Huet Starts | Hockey Independent
Al Cimaglia brings the low-down on all things Blackhawks, including word that the Preds may well face the underwhelming Cristobal Huet in goal tonight.

Toews, Seabrook questionable for Saturday - Chicago Tribune
Two key Blackhawks might miss tonight's game against the Preds with injuries. Toews, as you'll remember, took a huge hit from Vancouver's Willie Mitchell earlier this week.

Lemaire-less Wild Weak Where It Counts -- NHL FanHouse
A good breakdown of how the Minnesota Wild are giving up more high-quality scoring chances as compared to last season.

Prime Minister Wants to Make It Seven, at Least - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com
The leader of the Great White North speaks out in favor of another Canadian NHL team. There's been no word as to whether he'll send in the troops to capture a team and bring it across the border.

VS. president: 'Not asking for any extra money' - NHL.com
According to the president of the Versus network, they are not asking DirecTV for any more money in their ongoing dispute. All I know is I'm getting close to ditching my DirecTV service, which I've had for 11 years. This is getting ridiculous, and you'd think the two parties could negotiate a performance-driven fee structure (the fee adjusts based on Vs. viewership).

Lastly, courtesy of Puck Daddy, we have video of a nasty hit by Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu on Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche. Word has it that Tucker did eventually walk out of the arena after suffering a likely concussion: