Tuesday's notes: a Tweetup in Nashville, and San Jose has no captain

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 18, 2009 7:48 AM EDT

Today's a big hockey day in Nashville, with registration opening for the Preds' GOAL program later this morning, and a tweetup with Tom Callahan, radio voice of the Predators, scheduled for tonight at 6:30 at Riverfront Tavern downtown.

After the jump, we've got a review of the defense corps for Team USA, word that a free agent winger may well return to a division rival, and an excerpt from a new autobiography by Washington coach Bruce Boudreau...

Predators News

Let's play defensive matchmaker - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond takes a look at Team USA's options on defense, and comes up with Mike Komisarek as a likely partner for Ryan Suter. That's a pretty good combo right there...

Free-agent market gets thinner; SI's Preds prediction - Inside Predators
John Glennon surmises that perhaps the Preds weren't all that interested in Vinny Prospal, who signed with the Rangers for $1.1 million. I just hope David Poile doesn't try the same formula from last autumn, which relied upon unproven youngsters to fill key roles on the team.

Around the NHL

Top 10 Tuesday: Puck bunny music at the office - Psycho Lady Hockey
A multitude of musical selections for the avaricious puck bunnies out there. Funny stuff...

Red Wings negotiating with forward Todd Bertuzzi - MLive.com
It looks like Big Bert could be returning to the Central division. At this point in his career, that's hardly a cause for fear.

Hockey Canada's new logo unveiled - From The Rink
Mirtle takes a close-up look at the new Hockey Canada jersey for the Winter Olympics, and I have to say I really dig the logo - a wonderful way to celebrate Canada's heritage without distracting the eye.

"As of now, nobody’s our captain," says Coach Todd McLellan — Working the Corners
San Jose reporter David Pollak lets us know that the Sharks are basically leaderless right now, and that training camp will likely sort out the captaincy, formerly held by Patrick Marleau. While wiping the slate clean can offer a fresh start, it carries with it a great deal of risk as well.

Thoughts on Teeder Kennedy - Pension Plan Puppets
Another outstanding look back at the Hall of Famer who passed away last week.

Excerpts from "Gabby - Confessions of a Hockey Lifer," Part I - Japers' Rink
SB Nation's Washington Capitals blog is running selections each day this week from coach Bruce Boudreau's autobiography, which comes out in October. In this installment, he arrives in Washington as the players hear that Glen Hanlon has been fired, and addresses the Caps for the first time.

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Free agent market

Same strategy as last season. Failed then. Makes even less sense this season. Every other team in the division has improved. Enjoy the regular season. Looks like that’s all the Preds are planning for.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Aug 18, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

I would disagree to an extent; up front, having Sully back is a gigantic addition, and you can confidently slot Joel Ward as a 2nd- or 3rd-line winger as well. Where kids are being asked to step up this year is on the 3rd- and 4th-lines, which is much more appropriate than last fall, when Hornqvist and Jones were both relied upon in major roles.

I would like to see a veteran defenseman added, however. I just can’t see total rookies in the 5-6-7 slots, along with Kevin Klein stepping up into a 2nd-pair job. That’s just way too much risk for my liking.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 19, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see a veteran defenseman added, however. I just can’t see total rookies in the 5-6-7 slots, along with Kevin Klein stepping up into a 2nd-pair job. That’s just way too much risk for my liking.

Honestly, I don’t think we’ll add a defenseman until/unless our current crop has shown that they can’t handle the minutes. Poile was very happy to mention that little tidbit about being the only team in recent memory (probably dating back to the Original Six days) to field a lineup of defensemen that were all drafted and developed by the same organization. Weber, Suter, Hamhuis, Klein, and Sulzer are the five defensemen pretty much guaranteed to be in Nashville. I do not believe that unless we bring in a veteran defenseman to be No. 7 that we will carry a 7th defenseman on the roster – especially a prospect. Therefore, there is one spot open…I think the organization is banking on one of Franson, Blum, or Laakso to take that spot in camp with the others sent back to Milwaukee.

The earliest I could see a defenseman being brought in would be during training camp and only then on an invite contract until our own prospects prove they aren’t ready.

I’m not concerned about our defensive corps…although a veteran for depth would ease any fears lingering around in the back of my head.

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...

by Seth Lake on Aug 19, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t see the team going with 6 D on a regular basis, you have to at least have a 7th (and no, Belak better not count) just in case someone gets injured the day of a game. 7D, 13F, and 2G for 22 guys on the active roster most nights.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 19, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions