Monday news: Predators training camp continues after weekend cuts

Training camp enters a new phase this week for the Nashville Predators. After the team cut 10 players yesterday, the focus can shift towards preparation of the likely regular season lineup, as opposed to broad evaluation of talent. Sure, there are still jobs to be won, but many of the players who get cut over the next two weeks will likely get called up at some point during the season, and will need to be prepared to step in and contribute right away.

If you want to catch a practice, the team skates today and tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. down at Centennial Sportsplex.

After the jump, we've got the morning news to start your week off right. There's a new Preds blog in town, speculation about a new state-of-the-art arena in Edmonton, and a chance to catch up with former Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon...

Predators News

"I love the smell of Blackberries in the Morning. …It smells like…Cobbler." - Pull My (Fang)Finger
Already well-known on Twitter, AJ in Nashville (who just happens to be my neighbor) launches a Predators blog. It's entertaining stuff from a guy who always has a fresh perspective on things, and boasts the writing chops to draw the reader in.

A Word to My Blue Jacket Brethren: Please Don’t Hate Us. - Pull My (Fang)Finger
In this installment, AJ tries to give some solace to our poor division rivals, the Columbus fans, who saw yet another game against Nashville go up in flames Saturday night.

Trotz warms up his key netminders, leaving rookies in the cold - Nashville City Paper
While pre-season games offer plenty of opportunity for young skaters to show the coaches what they've got, the ice time for goaltenders is more limited. Especially since the #1 and #2 jobs are set, the concern is more about getting Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis ready than ensuring everyone gets a certain amount of live action.

Appearance on the PredsOnTheGlass radio show tonight! - Psycho Lady Hockey
Just when you thought it was safe to listen to a hockey podcast... Katrina from Psycho Lady Hockey will be a guest on Preds on the Glass tonight.

Poile: Preds wouldn't have given 5-yr., $27 mil. salary to Kessel - Inside Predators
As many suspected, Toronto's ability to offer Phil Kessel a higher salary was a major factor in why he went to the Maple Leafs instead of the Preds.

Around the NHL

Theo's making it difficult for Flames to say no - Calgary Herald
Don't look now, but Theo Fleury is making an impact so far, with a goal and an assist against Florida yesterday.

Edmonton's pure hockey experience is the Oilers best card - Cult of Hockey
Oilers ownership wants to build a new arena in Edmonton to replace Rexall Place, and David Staples digs into the question of exactly such aspirations the city should have when considering a new hockey palace.

KHL lost interest in Nylander - Washington Capitals Examiner
YIkes, even Avangard Omsk doesn't want Michael Nylander. Is he an H1N1 carrier or something?

Q&A with Greg Zanon | StarTribune.com
The one-time Pred talks about what it's like to be reunited with Marek Zidlicky up in Minnesota.

Jackets Injury News - Puck-rakers
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Fredrik "Mr. Glass" Modin will miss the first few weeks of the season due to a knee injury suffered Friday night.

Sestito's CT Scan Clear- Puck-rakers
After taking a hard fall to the ice during a fight with Jordin Tootoo, Columbus forward Tom Sestito was taken to the hospital. That made two nights in a row that a Blue Jackets player was carried off on a stretcher.

Andlauer: Owning piece of Habs 'new chapter in my life' - All Habs
Meet one portion of the new Montreal Canadiens ownership.

A Mistress Team - Hockey From the Cheap Seats
Matt is looking for a second NHL team to follow when his Kings aren't playing. The Preds are in his top two, so stop on by and give him a little encouragement. Perhaps an ode to Pete & Terry might do...

Lastly, here's something you don't see every day - Toronto's Jason Allison tearing an opponent's hockey helmet in half during a tussle. It's not exactly Joe Kocur-style, but pretty odd nonetheless: