The reality of the end of this 2009-10 NHL season is finally sinking in, so the hockey news is slowing down for at least a few days (until the lead-in to the Entry Draft which is two weeks away, that is).

It's a good time to reflect on the season, however, and you have to admit that it was a pretty good one for the NHL. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin continued their duel for the title of Best Hockey Player in the World, while Henrik Sedin put together a career year in Vancouver to lead the league in scoring. The Phoenix Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche really turned predictions upside down with their surprising seasons, and out East, the Capitals did their best imitation of the 1980's Oilers before getting knocked out of the playoffs by Montreal in the first round.

Locally, the Predators defied outside expectations by convincingly returning to the playoffs, led by the goal-scoring outburst of Patric Hornqvist. Oh yeah, and those Olympics were pretty entertaining, weren't they?

All in all, it was a pretty good year to be a hockey fan. And don't worry, the 2010-11 season is just 3.5 months away!

First, to wrap up our week of Father's Day ideas for the Nashville Predators fan, why not go with something classic, like a watch?

Predators News

Preds On The Glass: The Finals Are Over, Now What? and Friday Round-Up
Just one day, and Buddy's going into withdrawal already!

Nashville Predators' Dan Hamhuis impressed by relief mission to Haiti - The Tennessean
Bryan Mullen has more of Hammer's observations from Haiti.

Broken chairs may turn out to be blessing - The Tennessean
Steve Sullivan is participating in a creative way to raise money for flood relief; taking broken and discarded chairs, and turning them into art.

Around the NHL

Hawks face contractual conundrums - The Globe and Mail
Eric Duhatschek looks at Chicago's salary cap issues, and wonders if they'll stash Cristobal Huet with their AHL team next season.

Pronger mocked during Blackhawks' locker room celebration - Puck Daddy
Chicago's Adam Burish (along with someone else, apparently) demonstrate how to win without class.

Ode to Claude (Puck-Rakers Blog)
With Scott Arneil taking the reins in Columbus, what will become of Claude Noel?

HTML5 Experiment: Visualizing the Stanley Cup
A pretty-cool demo of snazzy internet technology to visually display who's played for, and won, the Stanley Cup over the years.

Coyotes Re-Sign Left Winger Scottie Upshall To One Year-Deal - SBNation.com
The former Nashville Predator gets $2.25 million from Phoenix.

Down Goes Brown: Leaked: Brian Burke's letter to the other 29 GMs about Tomas Kaberle
The "delicate little flower" is up for grabs...

Get to Know 2010 Draft
Here's a list of top draft prospects along with their projected NHL equivalent... who's going to get the next Steve Bernier?

s Best Players - The Grinder
Here's a list of top draft prospects along with their projected NHL equivalent... who's going to get the next Steve Bernier?