Monday's news: Shea Weber's captaincy was a fait accompli

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 11, 2010 10:22 AM EDT

While a Monday morning after a big win on Opening Night would normally be loaded with optimism, the lingering concern for Nashville Predators fans coming out the Ducks game is the injury which caused Pekka Rinne to leave early in the 3rd period. While we've had multiple reports that he was seen walking without a limp after the game, it remains to be seen whether he'll miss any game time.

After the jump we've got loads of hockey news for you, including a report that indicates that Nashville management had decided to make Shea Weber the new captain even before Jason Arnott was traded in June...

The St. Louis Blues make their first visit to Nashville on Thursday, and the Flying Ovechkins (err... the Washington Capitals) come in Saturday. Use this special offer for OtF readers to save money on Nashville Predators tickets for these, or any other home games this season.

Nashville Predators News

Preds saw Weber's captaincy as foregone conclusion - NHL.com
John Manasso writes about the Preds' leadership change, but includes an angle on this story not previously reported: that Shea Weber was going to made captain regardless of whether Jason Arnott stayed or not, and the he "could support Shea or not." It was only after that decision was made that Arnott was traded to New Jersey.

Preds On The Glass: A Perspective on The Preds Opening Night Win, POTG Radio Returns, and Monday Round-Up
Buddy's podcast returns tonight with local bloggers Ryan Porth and Amanda DiPaolo.

O’Brien Off To A Good Start With The Predators - Predlines
Amanda provides a good report card for Shane O'Brien so far. After Saturday's morning skate, when I asked him about the Ducks he spoke about the need to take advantage of their undisciplined play, which is exactly what he needs to stay away from himself.

Video: Alex Radulov needs six seconds to score opening goal - Puck Daddy
A little teaser to hold you over until he returns to the NHL.

Francis Bouillon ready to throw in 2010-11 - Nashville Predators Examiner
Don't mess with The Cube! He really stood in there well against Troy Bodie Saturday night, despite giving up 8 inches in height to the Ducks forward.

Predators celebrate Community Day on Monday - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond has all the details on the team's annual day to get out and about. The first 50 fans at each location will get free tickets to Thursday's game against St. Louis.

Nashville Predators backup goalie puts on show against Anaheim Ducks - The Tennessean
Anders Lindback's parents were able to see his unexpected NHL debut on Saturday.

Nashville Predators focus on momentum after opening win - The Tennessean
Can the Preds keep their 1-game winning streak rolling??? Let's call it 4, and include the preseason...

Admirals Handle The Heat, Win 6-2 | Admirals Roundtable
The Milwaukee Admirals got off to a good start, too, including a Linus Klasen goal.

Ads Start Slow Again; Lose 3-2 To Peoria | Admirals Roundtable
It sounds like Mark Dekanich played well in the Admirals' Sunday loss, and what remains to be seen is whether he's recalled to Nashville today.

Around the NHL

Chicago Blackhawks' Marty Turco says confidence not shaken - chicagotribune.com
The Preds should get their first look at Marty Turco in a Chicago uniform on Wednesday, and he sings the right tune despite opening the season with two losses. Hat tip to Kukla's Korner.

Raise This to your Rafters: Red Wings Win - Winging It In Motown
Detroit spoiled Chicago's banner-raising celebration with a 3-2 win.

Red Light District: Conversation with Bobby Ryan
Ryan Porth chatted up Bobby Ryan about his goals with the Ducks this season, and his Team USA experience at the Winter Olympics earlier this year.

Jen Talks Ducks Fans off the Cliff - Anaheim Calling
Anaheim fans should be concerned about losing their opening two games by a combined score of 8-1, but Jen tries to settle things down.

Who Needs To Panic In the NHL? - Fox Sports Ohio
Is too early for some teams to worry about how they're playing? Probably not, at least for a few teams.

Bobrovsky Has Already Come A Long Way - Broad Street Hockey
Answering the question... What about Bob?

Blue seats stay in redone Garden - NYPOST.com
Larry Brooks cries into his beer because teams like the Rangers can't spend their way to "excellence".

Analysis of The Zdeno Chara Contract - Stanley Cup of Chowder
A big contract for a big defenseman...

Florida Youth Hockey Surges - The Copper & Blue
Derek Zona writes that elite talent is starting to develop in the Sunshine State.

Sergio weighs in - Habs Eyes On The Prize
Sergio Momesso carved out a nice career as a role player on some good teams back in the 1980's and 90's, and now joins the Montreal broadcast team.

The Peerless Prognosticator: Greatest Performance in NHL History or Suspension of Laws of Nature?
Wow, that Ilya Bryzgalov is good!

Puck Daddy's 'Create a Sports Illustrated Cover' Contest Gallery 2 - Puck Daddy
A feast for your eyes to help you get through the morning.

Brian Burke reveals his method for Leafs success - thestar.com
Interesting thoughts from the Toronto GM on managing under the salary cap, and which NFL general manager he turned to for advice on the subject several years ago.

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Comments

No real revelation

in John Monasso’s article. It was clear the Predators really cohered after the Olympic break and especially down the regular season stretch, when Arnott was out of commission, and the coach didn’t require a translator when addressing the captaincy issue in his post-season, pre-trade remarks. For what it’s worth, I’m still convinced Belak was resigned early to head off any locker room tension when Shea stepped up and it appeared Arnott would be required to relinquish the C.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 11, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

It is a revelation to the extent that at the time Arnott was traded, everything was made to sound like the captaincy was still an open question that hadn’t been decided upon. Preds On The Glass spoke with Barry Trotz at the NHL Awards, and if you jump to the 1:35 mark of the first video there, you get a much different picture than presented in that NHL.com piece.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 11, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Buddy’s bite isn’t currently available at his site so I checked his clip with Trotz from the post-season presser at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmK4tpERv0U. What I heard with regard to Arnott was "the last two years he’s done a decent job’’ which strikes me now, as it did then, as a less than ringing endorsement and one that Arnott surely must have noted. At any rate, Captain Weber is the Predators’ official leader now and the difference was obvious on opening night.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 11, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

So we resigned Belak simply to break the news to Arnott that he was no longer captain? 500k+ seems pretty steep for a counselor, especially when it counts against the cap!

by Lil cutie on Oct 11, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Radulov

Have I missed something about his return to the NHL???

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on Oct 11, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

No… nothing new on that front.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 11, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone watching the Ducks?

Haha, they took a trip to 3 Central teams and are getting killed by all of them. 4-1 STL with the SOG 36-8 near the end of the 2nd period.

by DonBorvio on Oct 11, 2010 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

What a joke

The league should take a stand against this.

After 2 periods of play the Ducks have 48 PIMs. Whoever said they should quit the NHL and join MMA hit it dead on. Pathetic.

I hope they end up with the worst record in the history of the NHL.

by wrandsw on Oct 11, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

They just might at this pace..

always said they were thugs!

by DonBorvio on Oct 11, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

No wonder Scott Niedermayer left the building.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 11, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow...

How long has that been the case (the dirty play?) I definitely have never noticed it, and don’t remember even hearing anyone point it out. Did they lead the league in penalty minutes last season?

by LuvthePreds on Oct 11, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

as their play slowly declined from the stanley cup year, the PIM’s have increased.

"It's gonna be fun on the bun."

by flyalder on Oct 11, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

They won the Stanley Cup while going with the “truculent” attitude, but when your team stinks, it just stands out more. They’ve been in the top 3 in team PIM’s each of the last four seasons.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 11, 2010 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

For those keeping score at home

In the final period of play the Goons (I mean Ducks) had 30 PIMs.

That leaves fans with 78 PIMs in a 60 minute regulation hockey game. True class Anaheim. True class. 2 goals in 180 minutes of hockey but 165 PIMs.

by wrandsw on Oct 11, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

Devils

Wow. How does Lou let that happen?

Devils forced to play a regular season game with 15 skaters and only 12 forwards because of salary cap issues. Unfortunately two of those 12 are Arnott and Kovy, so that is like playing with 10 forwards that know where the defensive zone is.

At least they don’t have to play tomorrow night.

by wrandsw on Oct 11, 2010 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

no kidding...

I wonder how they will sustain this for the whole season.

by Tim P on Oct 11, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

From what I read it is because of a suspension and 2 injuries, but like you said if you cannot financial keep more than 20 players on your roster then it is going to happen again.

by wrandsw on Oct 11, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions