Friday fun: Put on your hard hat and get to work

Did you know that today is National Hat Day? Neither did I.

So why not celebrate with a Nashville Predators hard hat? Those beauties you see above are actually ANSI certified, and are available over at Amazon for just $26.00. They'd look pretty good with a new 3rd jersey, don't ya think?

As for your morning hockey news and notes, they follow right after the jump. We've got a look at who are really the best shooters in the NHL, a visit by some members of "Jersey Shore" to a L.A. Kings game, and word that resolution to the DirecTV - Versus standoff might be just a few weeks away...

Predators News

Preds 101: Thanks PredNation!... and a Call for this Week's Questions
Got a question about the game that you'd like answered? Preds 101 is the place to go...

Preds must be sharp against thorniest opponent | Nashville City Paper
David Boclair profiles what is going to be a huge challenge tonight for the Preds.

Around the NHL

Video: MTV 'Jersey Shore' girls invade Kings game; Snooki talks - Puck Daddy
Egads... speaking of New Jersey...

The NHL's Best (Even-Strength) Shooters, 2005-09 - Behind The Net
Great stuff from Hawerchuk, identifying the truly superior shooters in the post-lockout NHL.

Versus-DirecTV Debacle Could Be Over By March - SB Nation
Might the ongoing battle here be coming to an end? It had better, before the playoffs start.

Five questions: Coaching levels, shifts and Olympic vacations - CBC.ca
Former Montreal Canadiens great Guy Carbonneau answers some fan questions about, among other things, what it takes to coach in the NHL.

Avs After 47 - Comparisons and Reasonable Expectations - Mile High Hockey
Are the Colorado Avalanche for real???

Stewart x-rays negative, and a story about Roy-Brodeur | All Things Avs
Adrian Dater shares an old anecdote about Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.

mc79hockey.com - The Captain Speaks
Good stuff on just how badly Ethan Moreau handicaps the Oilers with his penalty-taking.

Updating the Oklahoma City AHL franchise situation - The Copper & Blue
It looks like Edmonton is close to launching an affiliate in OKC...

Colin Campbell is Well... Unprintable Words - Hockey Wilderness
Minnesota fans fire up the righteous indignation over the fact that Sergei Gonchar won't be suspended for his high hit on Cal Clutterbuck.

The Secret To My Success: The Buffalo Sabres | Hockey From the Cheap Seats
The Sabres are one of the great stories in the NHL this season, and Matt digs into just how they've been able to keep up with the best in the Eastern Conference.

First Annual Internet Hockey Summit | CTC
A round table discussion among some prominent hockey bloggers on this season's controversial issues.