More photos » Gus Ruelas - AP

Nashville Predators right wing Jerred Smithson has earned a steady NHL job due to hard work and dedication, writes David Boclair in the Nashville City Paper this morning.

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It's going to be a busy week for the Nashville Predators as they wrap up their current road trip with games in San Jose tomorrow and St. Louis on Thursday, before returning to home ice for a matchup with Montreal Saturday night.

Until we get back to the action, then, it's time for your morning news and notes. We've got the NHLPA burning itself to the ground, Hockey Hall of Fame inductions coming up this evening (6:00 Central on the NHL Network), and word that one Nashville Predators prospect (a forward, no less!) is tearing up the junior hockey circuit...

Predators News

2009 Entry Draft - Update on Major Junior Forwards - Hockey Or Die!
Jonathan Willis runs down the list of top-scoring junior hockey forwards who were drafted this year. At the very top of the list is Taylor Beck, the 3rd round pick of your Nashville Predators.

Smithson plots career path with longevity and attitude - Nashville City Paper
David Boclair discusses Jerred Smithson's run with Nashville, and sets it within the context of how the Predators have approached free agency over the years.

Preds On The Glass: Adrian Dater and David Rogers on Tonight's POTG Radio
You read the headline, Denver Post columnist Adrian Dater will be a guest on tonight's Preds On the Glass podcast.

The View from 111: A Proposal for Dealing With Head Shots
Mark has a plan for dealing with head shots that is far too standardized and based in common sense to ever be implemented, unfortunately.

What The Puck: 11/7/09 - Nashville at Los Angeles: W 3-1
Rachel reports on Saturday's win in Los Angeles, as she followed the Preds on vacation.

Americans turn in strong effort in Deutschland Cup - USATODAY.com
Kevin Allen writes about the US Men's Select team finishing second at the Deutschland Cup over the weekend. Preds assistant GM Paul Fenton was an assistant coach under Peter Laviolette.

Today in Awkward NHL photos - Barry Melrose Rocks
An amusing look at Francis Bouillon's goal from Saturday...

Around the NHL

CBCSports.ca - The battle raging inside the NHLPA
A lengthy, but fascinating piece on the train wreck that is the NHLPA, by Elliotte Friedman

The plus/minus rating - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond responds to a reader's request to explain the Plus/Minus stat...

Solving Escrow - Hockey Or Die!
An interesting notion on how to resolve the issue of escrow, which is a sore point for many players in the current CBA.

Rangers Analysis: With Drury and Dubinsky out, Rangers look for options - Blueshirt Banter
The New York Rangers lost two key forwards to injury in Saturday's game at Calgary.

Canes Now - Ward to stay in hospital; Canes mull options
As if things weren't already bad enough for Carolina, goaltender Cam Ward's leg was cut by Rick Nash's skate. He'll be out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

All Habs: Hockey Night in Canada Takes Interest in All Habs' Feud
Allan Walsh, an NHL player agent who posts frequently on Twitter, went over the line by pointing out Montreal goalie Carey Price's disappointing win/loss record last night. Walsh's client is Montreal's other goalie, Jaroslav Halak.

Lindsay hails Yzerman induction - NHL.com
Some perspective on Steve Yzerman's Hall of Fame induction from "Terrible" Ted Lindsay.

GMs meeting preview, plus latest on Peter Forsberg and Islanders' plans in net - ESPN
Pierre LeBrun speculates that when the NHL general managers meet this week, one item they'll discuss is whether to get rid of the trapezoid behind the goal line; I, for one, am totally in favor of getting rid of that gimmicky rule.