Wednesday's notes: current and future Predators still competing

Nashville Predators players and prospects are busy these days - while two draftees have been battling at junior hockey's premier annual tournament, nine others are still competing at the World Championships in Germany. Meanwhile in NHL action, both conference finals have gotten off to 2-0 starts...

Last Night In The Playoffs

Philadelphia 3, Montreal 0: The Flyers defend their home turf by winning both games in Philly, and now the series turns to Montreal. If the Habs can figure out how to score a goal, they might have a chance still.

Chicago 4, San Jose 2: The alarms are a-wailin' in Sharksville, as the Blackhawks came into town and took both games on San Jose's ice. With this series headed to Chicago for Game 3 & 4, the Sharks have precious little time to figure out how to turn things around.

Predators News

Preds On The Glass: A Pair of 2-0 Series Leads and Hump Day Highlights
Buddy can hardly believe the playoff success that onetime Pred Michael Leighton is enjoying in Philly, either.

Spitfires send Wildcats home - The Globe and Mail
One Predators prospect (Ryan Ellis) eliminated another (Gabriel Bourque) as the Windsor Spitfires continue their quest to repeat as Memorial Cup champs.

2010 World Championships: All 9 Preds Advance to Thursday's Quarterfinals - predators.nhl.com
Of the 8 teams remaining at the WC's, there are Preds players or prospects on five of them.

Son of former Predators captain selected in USHL Futures Draft - Nashville Predators Examiner
Ryan Fitzgerald, son of the original Predators captain, was drafted by the Youngstown Phantoms yesterday.

Stadium, arena repairs expedited as events near - Nashville Business Journal
The Metro Sports Authority approved measures to allow the facility managers at Bridgestone Arena and LP Field "to work directly with insurance adjustors to make repairs" from flood-related damage ahead of upcoming events at both venues.

Around the NHL

Chris Pronger In The Dressing Room - Hockey or Die
Earlier this season when the Flyers were a mess, the big defenseman was portrayed as a divisive presence. Now that they're rolling through the playoffs, he's hailed as a leader. Funny how that works out...

Lessons Learned - Puck Worlds
Bruce piles up a number of excuses for Team USA's lousy performance at the World Championships.

Why Cap-Killing Contracts Are More Common Than You Think - From The Rink
*gasp* Someone calling out Dale Tallon for being a less-than-stellar GM choice for Florida? Shocking!

That didn't take long... - Litter Box Cats
Panthers fans got to grill their new GM Dale Tallon at a team-sponsored BBQ. Just figuratively, of course.

More on Tkachuk's ordeal (and should mouthguards be mandatory?) - The Globe and Mail
James Mirtle provides more details from his research on facial injuries in hockey. It makes you wonder just what it will take for players to start at least using mouthguards, if not full face protection.

Senators lose money for second straight season - Ottawa Business Journal
The Sens would have had to make the second round of the playoffs to break even, admit team officials.

Was Willie Mitchell a ranting fool, or a truth teller? | Truth & Rumours
William Houston is on the mark with his criticism of Colin Campbell's work as head of supplementary discipline for the NHL. He's either an incompetent buffoon, or dutifully fulfilling the orders he's been given. If the latter is the case, you'd think a principled hockey man would have stepped down from the job.

Oilers suddenly serious about psychology - Edmonton Journal
The Oilers are trying to rebuild their troubled franchise, and want to make sure that the guys they bring in are up to the task.