Thursday's news: Does hockey float your boat?

We're entering the home stretch on the voting for the All-Time Nashville Predators Team, with the final poll posted late last night. Until then, there's plenty of newsworthy bits for you; some background information on Alexander Sulzer, who should become a regular presence on the Preds defense this season, some amazing data showing just how effective the Minnesota Wild defensive scheme is, and early word about what might be the most unique outdoor hockey game yet...

Predators News

Predators assistant plans to put a check on disease - The Tennessean
John Glennon profiles Associate Coach Brent Peterson's battle with Parkinson's Disease, as he prepares to host a dinner, auction, & golf outing to raise money for research September 1 & 2.

Let's play defensive matchmaker north of the border - Nashville Predators Examiner
After having looked at Ryan Suter's potential defense partners for Team USA earlier in the week, Jim Diamond reviews the blueline options for Shea Weber on Team Canada.

"If You Haven't Heard of Alexander Sulzer Yet...You Will" - Hockey Gal
While pointing out an article in the Hockey News pumping up Alexander Sulzer (who appears to be a lock for the 3rd pair on D this fall), Stephanie Muraro also gives us Sulzer's background, which includes a horrific attack he suffered in Germany a few years ago.

Around the NHL

Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead! - Coming Down the Pipe
Now this sounds like about the coolest thing ever: "A source has told me that the AHL club [Norfolk Admirals] is trying to plan an outdoor game on the DECK of the USS Eisenhower, that just returned to Norfolk after a 6 week deployment in the Arabian Sea. The ship can accommodate up to 5000 fans."

Stephane Yelle Signing Speaks Volumes for Future - Canes Country
Carolina approaches the salary cap with the signing of Old Yeller.

Season Review: The Million Man Marchant - Battle of California
Perhaps Earl Sleek should have titled this, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Todd Marchant.

Shot Quality and the Minnesota Wild - Puck Prospectus
Gabriel Desjardins provides some beautiful charts showing how the Minnesota Wild's skaters help out their star goaltender, Niklas Backstrom, by limiting the number of shots from close to the net. Man, I need to get back into my Shot Quality work!

Lastly, courtesy of Litter Box Cats, we have rare video of the meanest, toughest, and roughest Florida Panther of them all: