Weekend notes: Predators prospects heading to the AHL, Red Wings and Russians battle over Hudler

Just in time for your morning coffee before you head down to Centennial Sportsplex to catch the last of the on-ice sessions in the Nashville Predators Development Camp (starting at 9:45), I've got your news & notes...

Two top Predators prospects look to polish games in Milwaukee - The Tennessean
John Glennon profiles Jonathan Blum and Chet Pickard as they prepare for their first full season of AHL hockey, and he's got all the details on how you could be part of the 2009-10 Liquid Ice Girls...

NHL, IIHF contest Jiri Hudler’s Russian deal - Detroit Free Press
An interesting battle is shaping up between the Red Wings and the KHL. The Red Wings contend that since Jiri Hudler filed for salary arbitration, he is contractually bound to the team and should not be allowed to sign with Moscow Dynamo.

Winter Classic to likely be made official on Wednesday - TSN
The NHL will announce on Wednesday that the 2010 Winter Classic (which is developing into a wonderful New Year's Day tradition) will be held at Fenway Park, with the Boston Bruins hosting (it is speculated) the Philadelphia Flyers or the Washington Capitals.

Hockey Summer Reading List - Stanley Cup of Chowder
SB Nation's Boston Bruins blog brings you a list of books to fill the time until training camp opens in September.

Context on ice: Penguins fans get mobile extras - Computerworld
The IT trade magazine picks up on a bold use of technology in Pittsburgh - making live-action video available to fans via smartphones and other mobile devices.

Kwiatkowski Returning to Russia After His Atlanta Deal Is Found Invalid - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com
Interesting news out of Atlanta, where the Thrashers signed defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski to a contract, only to find that he already had a commitment to a KHL team. Atlanta did the right thing by rescinding the offer, and Kwiatkowski will play next season for St. Petersburg. Now if only the Russians could demonstrate that respect for a written contract works both ways...