Friday follies: Predators offer "free" preseason game vs. Atlanta

Are you ready for the end of the week? Then jump in below for more reaction to the Chris Chelios rumors, news that Jiri Hudler's transition to the KHL may have hit a major snag, and surgery for a key player on a Central Division rival. All this, and super-cheap hockey tickets for the Preds vs. the Thrashers!

Predators News

Nashville Predators vs. Atlanta Thrashers tickets
Want to see the Preds battle the Thrashers in preseason action on Thursday, September 17th? The team is offering tickets for FREE (except for the infamous Ticketmaster "convenience fee"). That's still a pretty great deal!

Would Chris Chelios be a good addition to the Preds?… | Section 303
Jeremy K. Gover comes to terms with the possibility of Chris Chelios playing for the Preds. John Glennon's article from yesterday also cited Greg de Vries and Ken Klee as possible additions, and I have to say that if the salary made a good fit, de Vries would be my first choice. Take a look back at how he did last season, and once he was moved to the 3rd pair he did just fine in 5-on-5, and his PK work was nothing less than outstanding.

CHRIS CHELIOS IS GOING WHERE?!?!?!? (Warning: Rumor Ahead!) - Hockey Gal
Stephanie Muraro also works her way through exasperation, then realization, that Chelios might be a good fit on the Predators blueline.

Predators goaltending preview - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond surveys the Nashville goaltending situation, with both Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

What The Puck: Step It Up: The Dan Hamhuis Edition
As if playing out his contract year and facing free agency next summer didn't put enough pressure on Dan Hamhuis, Rachel from What the Puck calls him out as someone the team needs to step up this fall. Buckle up, Hammer!

Around the NHL

Blues defenseman Eric Brewer undergoes minor knee surgery - Morning Skate, STLtoday
A key cog on the St. Louis defense goes under the knife, and should miss the start of the regular season.

The Triple Deke: Time wasting
It's Friday. Goof off with some wonderful productivity-killing hockey sites.

Five Reasons Bob McKenzie of TSN Loves Hockey - Puck Daddy
Puck Daddy's "5 Reasons" series continues with the best damn NHL reporter out there, Bob McKenzie. He's about the only guy who can actually call himself an "NHL insider" with a straight face.

Scotty Bowman Talks NHL Rules with BWA - Bird Watchers Anonymous
The Falconer, SB Nation's Atlanta Thrashers blogger, got a few words with NHL legend Scott Bowman during the draft weekend in Montreal, and got some wonderful insight on rules that perhaps the league should consider changing.

NHL and USA hockey federation block Hudler moving to Moscow Dynamo - Cult of Hockey
David Staples channels a report from Peter Adler, which says that erstwhile Detroit Red Wing Jiri Hudler's international transfer card has not been approved by the IIHF, which prevents him for playing for Moscow Dynamo of the KHL for now. Stay tuned for further developments...

Finally, check out the new Nike commercial aimed at getting Canadian fans revved up for the Winter Olympics. Good stuff...