Wednesday notes: Nashville's defensive drafting, Flyers and Bruins in the Winter Classic, and Brent Sutter debuts in Calgary

Can we just get to Friday already? The NHL Draft beckons, and after yesterday's Hockey Hall of Fame announcement, we really don't have much to talk about until then, right?

Wrong! We've got a Winter Classic matchup that appears to be set, an ownership battle in Tampa that has them contending with Phoenix for the "most unstable" NHL franchise right now, and a coaching transfer for Brent Sutter that has some New Jersey fans miffed that he basically jumped ship to go work for his brother Darryl in Calgary. All that and more after the jump...

Predators find defense in the draft - The Tennessean
John Glennon traces the preponderance of blueliners that have risen through the Predators system coming out of the draft.

The Delaware County Daily Times Blogs
It looks like your Winter Classic 2010 will feature the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins, playing in Ye Olde Fenway Park. (hat tip to Puck Daddy)

Future of The Joe uncertain as Red Wings consider move - The Detroit News
"The playoffs are over, but the Red Wings could be girding for another battle, as owners have until Tuesday to inform the city whether they'll leave Joe Louis Arena or extend by 20 years a lease that's helped make the team one of the richest in the league."

Q&A with Leafs’ Director of Amateur Scouting Dave Morrison : Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Here's an interview with Toronto's head of amateur scouting leading up to the draft, similar to the one I conducted with the Nashville Predators' Jeff Kealty earlier this week. Some common themes can be heard from both organizations in terms of the "intangibles" that help ensure a player will develop into an NHL regular.

Official: Brent Sutter is the Head Coach of Calgary - In Lou We Trust
Brent Sutter was officially introduced as head coach of the Calgary Flames yesterday, with nary a whiff of compensation to the New Jersey Devils, the team from which he resigned just a short time earlier.

"OK (Not Really) Hockey" indeed - Raw Charge
Things have completely come off the rails in Tampa, and Raw Charge lays out the likely road ahead for the Koules/Barrie "partnership".