The Nashville Predators head out for New York City where they'll take on the Islanders, Rangers and Devils this week; hey, if they can make it there, they can make it anywhere, right?

NASHVILLE RADIO UPDATE: Congratulations go out to the Thom Abraham Show, which is moving up to the "drive time" slot of 3:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays on 560-AM WNSR as of today.

After the jump, we've got your hockey news and notes to start your week - Barry Trotz says that the Jordin Tootoo contract extension is an "investment" in player he expects will improve, we have a review of Nashville's development system that includes surprising speculation about which rookie might make the Predators next season, and another trade that went through yesterday, even though almost a month remains until the Trade Deadline.

Predators News

Toots, Trotz talk new contract - Predators Insider
One last thought about the Tootoo contract - this talk about it being an "investment", and that the organization expects Tootoo to develop further is a bit odd to me. The guy is 27 years old now; a decent NHLer who is very popular with the fans, and capable of perhaps 10 goals or so. A light switch is not about to flip which makes him suddenly able to score 20. Just as with the expectation that Legwand and Erat were going to rise to new heights in their latest contracts, that just doesn't happen at that age. The vast majority of the time with forwards, you know what you've got by 23 or 24 years of age.

Preds On The Glass: Weekend Wrap-Up and POTG Radio Tonight
Buddy's morning post includes the lineup for tonight's podcast, which will preview the Preds' New York road trip this week.

Coming Down the Pipe!: Predators Prospect Snap Shot
It's always good to get an outsider's view of Nashville's prospects, and this piece includes an interesting tidbit on defenseman Roman Josi, currently playing in Switzerland: "there was some talk that Josi might be headed to North America next year and may potentially be able to bypass the AHL and step right in with the Predators."

Around the NHL

On Frozen Blog › A Statement Win with the Nation Watching
Yesterday NBC aired a dramatic game between Pittsburgh and Washington as its national Game of the Week, which has had some good ones lately.

Day 5: Watching the Super Bowl at Gretzky’s — and how everything is about hockey in Canada | Working the Corners
You can't escape a Super Bowl reference on a day like this, but David Pollak's experience yesterday was pretty amusing.

Thrashers Travel Travails, Team Townhall,Triumph Over FLA - Bird Watchers Anonymous
The Atlanta Thrashers held a town hall meeting with season ticket holders following the Ilya Kovalchuk trade, and the discussion was alarmingly frank. The Falconer provides all the details.

Paging Oilers' brain trust -- anybody home? - The Copper & Blue
Meanwhile in Edmonton, fans are left wondering if anything is going on in the front office as the team sputters down the stretch.

Blackhawks: Dialing for D-Men? | Hockey Independent
Taking a look at possible defensemen on the market, from a Chicago perspective.

Kessel quiet on stick swap after ending slump - The Globe and Mail
The Maple Leafs winger recently switched away from using the stick he endorses... and is now scoring in bunches. Awkward!

Some Canucks Stats To Chew On - Nucks Misconduct
A bushel of interesting tidbits about the Northwest Division leaders.

Multiple threats " LA Kings Insider
The Kings have been red-hot of late, and Rich Hammond says that balanced scoring has been a big factor for them.

It's Official: Niclas Wallin Gets Traded to Sharks - Canes Country
The on-again, off-again trade finally took place over the weekend, as San Jose added some depth on the blueline.