With 9 wins in their last 11 games, things are looking up these days for the Nashville Predators, just in time for a showcase game on Versus tonight against Detroit (remember, 6:00 Central start time!). While the fan base here in Music City is getting excited, however, other NHL cities are suffering through darker times.

After the jump, get the latest word on the Preds from around the local blogosphere, as well as rumblings from Toronto, Edmonton, and Carolina as to how to solve their teams' troubles...

Predators News

The 303:30 – OCT’s Preds v. NOV’s Preds, Aaron Portzline & prospect Taylor Beck | Section 303
Jeremy and Codey's latest episode touches on a variety of timely topics, and includes an interview with 2009 Draft pick Taylor Beck, who is among the leading scorers in all of junior hockey.

Another Statement of Fact " Pull My (Fang)Finger
AJ's feeling pretty good after Saturday's win over the Blue Jackets, which begs the obvious question - when will the rest of the league notice how well Nashville is playing these days?

Preds On The Glass: Josh "Miracle Speech" Sacco Stars in Minnesota
Buddy has the scoop on the little guy's trip to Minnesota, where his rendition of the "Miracle speech" was featured at a Wild game.

The View from 111: Predators Quarter Season Report Card
Mark hands out his report cards for the 1st quarter. I'd sure like to have Mark as a teacher, because he sure looks like a softy to me!

Around the NHL

Speculation Running Amok : Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Will Toronto make some trades to shake up their awful team? Garrett Bauman runs through some theoretical options.

Patrick O'Sullivan gets ripped to shreds by CBC announcers Milbury, Hrudey - Cult of Hockey
Vicious, but very specific criticism is getting leveled at Edmonton's Patrick O'Sullivan these days...

Pat Quinn Lays Another One On "The Skill Guys" - The Copper & Blue
Juicy stuff from Edmonton, where the coaching staff isn't happy with the work ethic demonstrated by some of their high-skill players. Keep this in mind, I suppose, when the Preds pass on one finisher after another for otherwise mysterious reasons.

Moving Eric Staal to Wing: Good Idea? - Canes Country
An interesting question raised in Carolina.

A Little Luck Here... - Behind The Net
Montreal stinks, and Hawerchuk has the numbers to prove it.

Why the overtime shootout stinks and how to fix it, Vol. 61 - Puck Daddy
An excellent suggestion for an NHL rule change - why should Rick Nash have been allowed to compete in Saturday night's shootout against the Predators, if he was still in the penalty box at the end of OT?

Five Hole Fanatics: Why Feaster isn't a GM Revsisted
Kent puts the boots to former Tampa Bay GM Jay Feaster, who has spread some pretty fine manure over at his blog.

Thrashers 2010 Olympics Hockey Preview - Bird Watchers Anonymous
SB Nation's hockey blogs are going to each provide a guide as to which players are likely to play in the Winter Olympics, starting off with Atlanta.

Four Years Later, Fischer's Collapse Resonates - Winging It In Motown
Looking back at that day four years ago when Detroit defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed (and nearly died) during a Red Wings/Predators game.

Game No. 21 (Puck-rakers)
The Columbus perspective on Saturday night's shootout win by the Predators.

A Bit on Ebbett - Hockey Wilderness
Minnesota picks up Andrew Ebbett on waivers. Hey, he can't hurt...

Nikita Filatov: I took the right decision - RussianHockeyFans.com
Back home playing for the team he supported as a kid growing up, it really doesn't sound like Nikita Filatov is that torn up about leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Lastly, I'll leave you with the latest "Goal of the Year" candidate, this from St. Louis Blues forward David Perron. It reminds me of Darren McCarty's 1997 Stanley Cup-winning goal against Philadelphia: