Monday's news: Preds head into the Olympic break on a positive note

Completing the East Coast road trip with 5 points in 4 games is certainly a decent result for the Nashville Predators, leaving them in sole possession of 7th place in the Western Conference as the hockey world focuses on the Olympics for the next two weeks.

After the jump, we've got a health dose of morning hockey news for you. One Nashville blogger chats up a couple Preds about what this fortnight will bring, while another celebrates the unlikely goal-scoring hero of the season, Patric Hornqvist. All that, and word that one Pred faces the toughest workload in the entire NHL...

Predators News

Preds beat Pens in shootout, head to Olympic Break… | Section 303
Even though the Preds took two points in Pittsburgh, Codey says they've got a lot of work to do over the Olympic break thanks to a 4-8-2 run over the last few weeks.

The View from 111: Olympic Dreams
While he accompanied the Preds on their East Coast road trip, Mark took the chance to talk with Martin Erat and Ryan Suter about what the Olympics mean for both of them.

Callin’ It As I See It: A Mini-Series – Part III: Patric Hornqvist " Pull My (Fang)Finger
AJ celebrates the Preds' leading goal-scorer this season.

When will Predators' youth serve? - Nashville City Paper
David Boclair wonders when a Predators draft pick will assume the captaincy of the team. An interesting, if odd, question.

Around the NHL

NHL Mid-Season Statistics Leaders, Volume I - Behind The Net
Who faces the toughest opposition in the NHL so far this season? A Predator sits atop Hawerchuk's list...

Video: Ron Wilson talks USA Hockey chances, Brendan Burke - Puck Daddy
Team USA's mens hockey team gets into action tomorrow (2:00 p.m. Central vs. Switzerland), and head coach Ron Wilson gives his pre-tournament thoughts.

NHL Insiders, Experts And Their Guesswork In Trade Rumors - SB Nation
Derek Zona breaks down the reporting around the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, to see which "insiders" had good information and which ones didn't.

An Early Look at the 2010-11 Flyers Cap Situation - Broad Street Hockey
Geoff breaks down Philadelphia's salary cap looks like for next season, and it looks like their biggest opportunity is in goal.

Jody Shelley Traded To New York Rangers For Sixth Round Pick - Fear The Fin
Well, it looks like Wade Belak lost a dance partner...

Red Kelly - Pension Plan Puppets
Read up on one of hockey's all-time great as part of PPP's historical series.