Monday's notes: Pond hockey in Tennessee?

As we start a new work week, we've got a bushel full of hockey news to start it off right.

After the jump, we've got the Toronto media discovering one of Nashville's hidden treasures, word of pond hockey being played in East Tennessee thanks to the recent cold snap, and a clash between the Flyers' captain and the media in Philadelphia...

Predators News

Five Questions With Nashville Blog On The Forecheck - Pension Plan Puppets
Just as Chris got PPP to answer some questions about Nashville (a post which got linked on ESPN's NHL Insider Rumors page), SB Nation's Toronto blog returned the favor and quizzed him about the Preds.

A home game against the Maple Leafs is a welcome change for the Predators - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond points out that normally welcoming in a bottom-dwelling Eastern Conference team wouldn't be a big deal, but when the Maple Leafs come to town, it's a treat for fans and players alike.

Hockey fans get to play on frozen Tenn. pond - Knoxville News Sentinel
How awesome is this? The recent cold spell lasted long enough for some East Tennessee hockey fans to get in some honest-to-goodness pond hockey. I was lucky enough to grow up in Michigan, with a pond right across the street from our house that froze over perfectly each winter, so this brings back some great memories.

Preds 101: AOAG: Going to the Net - Why We Love Patric Hornqvist
The winning goal from Friday night in Calgary was thing of marvelous, brutal beauty.

Patric Hornqvist a bargain-basement steal for Predators - thestar.com
With the Toronto media in town for tonight's game, some are discovering the up-and-coming goal scorer who's ignited Nashville's offense lately.

Analysis: Why are the Preds so offensive? - Nashville City Paper
No, David Boclair isn't saying the Predators smell bad, he looks at how they've put together a Top 10 NHL offense thus far.

Grim Reaper: Not what you might expect - Toronto Sun
A look at the long road that has led Stu Grimson to his legal career in Tennessee, and the occasional color analyst gig on the radio.

Challenges push Predators' David Poile - The Tennessean
Did you ever wonder why Poile came to Nashville, when he had the opportunity (twice) to run the Maple Leafs instead? Basically, the Preds had "dibs".

Predators seek better home record - The Tennessean
In his daily notes, John Glennon states that Pekka Rinne gets the start tonight (despite the Dan Ellis shutout in Calgary), and Jerred Smithson is expected to play.

Key stretches await Predators - The Tennessean
John Glennon has five key moments from the season so far, and five to watch on the road ahead.

Around the NHL

Irreverent Oiler Fans: Likelihood and the Way Humans Think
Deep thoughts from Vic Ferrari about two different approaches to hockey stats analysis. I need another cups of coffee before I re-read this. It's also good timing, considering I just picked up "The Drunkard's Walk" over the weekend.

St.Louis Blues sign Max Brodeur to start in goal against the Rangers - Blueshirt Banter
New Jersey's one pretty well with Martin Brodeur, Ottawa's been impressed with young Mike Brodeur, so St. Louis hops on the bandwagon...

Media Takes Another Shot at Richards - Broad Street Hockey
A roller coast season in Philadelphia takes another odd turn, as the media tangles with captain Mike Richards over some off-ice stories that were printed a few months ago.

Washington Capitals out in front of media revolution - PennLive.com
Tim Leone looks at how the Caps have embraced new media outlets, understanding that the landscape is shifting quickly. It's no wonder that several leading hockey blogs are based out of D.C. (via Kukla's Korner).

Kovalchuk Trade Offers--What Could a Trade Bring to Atlanta? - Bird Watchers Anonymous
Check out the offers from the various SB Nation sites in the Mock Kovalchuk sweepstakes...

The playoff push: 90+ points or bust - The Globe and Mail
Mirtle breaks out his annual breakdown of the record each team will need to achieve down the stretch to assure themselves of a playoff berth.

"The Oilers have come to realize that they cannot win without a superstar" - The Copper & Blue
In the middle of a disappointing campaign, is Edmonton about take a fundamental shift in direction for their long-term roster planning? If so, there might be some bargains available on the trade market...