Tuesday's news: Can yesterday's trade revive a Central Division rival?

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 29, 2009 9:45 AM EST

The Nashville Predators take their road show to St. Louis tonight, but until then, let's check out the morning news and notes.

RADIO ALERT!: Be sure to listen to NHL Home Ice (XM/Sirius Channel 204) between 10:30 and 11:00 Central this morning, as Buddy Oakes from Preds On The Glass talks hockey blogging

The big story this morning is a trade involving the Columbus Blue Jackets, as they struggle to turn around a weeks-long dive through the standings...

Predators News

Preds 101: A Preds Blog for Football Fans: Weekly Q&A: Submit Your Questions Now
Help educate football fans throughout Middle Tennessee about the great game of hockey; submit a question for Preds 101...

Admirals All-Decade Team - Milwaukee Admirals
Aaron Sims gives his picks for the best Admirals from the last 10 years.

Central: Hawks show killer instinct with Preds sweep - NHL.com
Phil Coffey must be copying some material from John Glennon; he notes that the Preds have allowed at least 3 goals in 8 straight games, just like the Tennessean beat writer. While that's true, the streak is actually at 9 games, dating back to 12/10 vs. Columbus.

Predators seek more special plays - The Tennessean
John Glennon talks to the Preds about how they manage to compete despite underwhelming special teams play. Discipline to force the other team to sit in the box more than they do plays a role there.

Around the NHL

Jackets trade Chimera to Capitals for Clark and Jurcina - The Cannon
Finally, we have a trade to talk about! From the Columbus side, they're happy to get a veteran leader in exchange for an inconsistent scorer.

Caps Acquire Jason Chimera - Japers' Rink
Washington fans were surprised to see their captain traded, with speculation turning to who will be the next captain. Personally, although I like Mike Knuble as a player, I don't know if you give the "C" to a guy who's not going to wear it for a long time.

Clark needed more in Columbus than he was in Washington - USATODAY.com
Kevin Allen provides solid insight into yesterday's Columbus/Washington trade, basically saying the Caps traded their captain away because they had "outgrown him". Chris Clark provided leadership during the franchise's dark times, but Washington is now ready for stars like Alex Ovechkin to assume the mantel.

Game No. 40 (Puck-rakers)
Between the trade, and a 1-0 overtime win over Detroit (dang 3-point games!), has Columbus reached a turning point?

Eric Staal Says, "Choose Me!": Hurricanes 6, Caps 3 - Canes Country
The Carolina star, a borderline pick for Team Canada, had a two-goal, three-assist night for the Hurricanes. And of course, I forgot to set my fantasy hockey lineup in time, so I missed out.

Steve Yzerman is Canada's Prime Minister of Hockey - WSJ.com
The Wall Street Journal profiles the GM of Team Canada, which is due to announce it's Olympic roster tomorrow.

Sergei Gonchar still looking for the big bucks? - PensBurgh
This summer brings a critical question for the Pittsburgh Penguins, whether they can/should re-sign the veteran puck-moving defenseman.

Teams of the Decade: Playoff Wins - Behind The Net
During the course of this decade, the Nashville Predators have had exactly as much playoff success as the New York Islanders. Sorry to spoil your morning!

Lastly, TSN brings you the Top 10 Plays of 2009:

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Comments

Interesting piece by Glennon, but nothing we didn’t really know already.

In your opinion, whats wrong with the special teams?

If you look at it on paper, we should be fielding at least an average power play and an above average kill (which we have in the past). We have a big, booming point shot (Weber) a passer and puck mover at the other point (Suter), a pinpoint passer when he’s on form (Dumont), a huge body (for placing in crease) with strength and an above average shot (Arnott), and two do-it-all snipers in Erat and Sullivan. Is it the coaching, or the players not buying into our PP system?

On the PK, I’m willing to attribute a lot of it to Fids, Scooter, and Z being gone (probably our 3 best in that area), but still, the guys we’re putting out there aren’t getting it done. I’ve almost gotten to the “close your eyes” stage when the other team goes on the power play.

Bit of a ramble, there…oh well :).

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by Chris Burton on Dec 29, 2009 11:02 AM EST reply actions

Just a quick note that the Preds101 seems like a great idea. Anything to help people get into hockey is a great thing… (and there are PLENTY of opportunities for jokes). Thanks for sharing that link….

View From My Seats
Sarcasm: God's gift to smart people...

by Matt Reitz on Dec 29, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions