Friday's news: The ice is ready in Nashville... are you?

Tomorrow morning at 9:15 the Nashville Predators have their first open practice of training camp, so today, while the players are reporting for physical tests and off-ice work, you'll have to content yourselves with hockey news from around the league.

After the jump we've got so much for you that by the time you're done, it'll be time to head down to Centennial!

Is today payday? Readers of On the Forecheck can take advantage of a special offer to save anywhere from $6-24 on Nashville Predators tickets.

Predators News

A preseason rant on things hockey media-related - Nashville Predators Examiner
If Josh Cooper has to stay in Nashville while the Predators play the Trashers on the road in a game we don't get to see on TV, I'll have violated several of Jim Diamond's pet peeves even without invoking Walt Whitman or a musical pedophile. (Just read the article, you'll get it)

Paul McCann - Rookie Game - Blogging and some Random Notes
Paul chimes on the prospect games in Florida, and the ravings of Bruce Bowdiggin.

Throwing Elbows Will Get You Nowhere: Just Who Is Chris Clackson Anyway? - Predlines
Amanda notes that after throwing two despicable cheap shots at Linus Klasen (which, if they occured during an NHL game, would likely draw a suspension), Chris Clackson has been cut from Florida's training camp. What's scary about all of this is that without oversight from the league, there's nothing to prevent other goons from stirring it up in rookie games like this.

Three Minutes With: goaltending prospect Chet Pickard… - Section 303
Jeremy catches up with the guy who I expect will be your #1 goaltender in Milwaukee this season.

The View from 111: Five Predators to Watch This Season
Mark's keeping an eye on five forwards in particular this fall.

Preds On The Glass: Preds Rookies Sweep Panthers, Our Final Travelogue, and Friday Findings
Buddy wraps up his travelogue series, while bringing his usual daily dose of hockey news.

Predators' management takes a stand on players' foot protection - Nashville City Paper
David Poile is mandating that rookies try out a protective shield that goes over their skates to help prevent broken bones from blocked shots. Will the veterans buy in, too? I sure hope so, Jordin Tootoo lost several weeks last season due to a broken foot.

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne settles into new role - The Tennessean
The theme for Pekka Rinne this year should be "No Excuses". He's got his contract, he's got the #1 job, now he needs to follow through with a consistent performance in goal.

The Tennessean's blog On Nashville also posted some video of yesterday's ice-painting event at Bridgestone Arena. It was a unique experience which I was lucky enough to share with the Section 303 guys, Jim Diamond, Woody & Jim from 107.5 The River, and several other folks as well:

Around the NHL

QStache signs extension - Blackhawk Up
Shocking news - coach wins Stanley Cup, gets contract extension.

LIVE! Rookie Game 2: Predators 5 @ Panthers 1 (FINAL) - On Frozen Pond
Get the Florida perspective on yesterday's win by the Nashville kids.

Jordan Staal to miss start of season - The Globe and Mail
The Pittsburgh center may well miss the October 21 game in Nashville due to a foot problem.

Sid the Kid is all grown up - The Globe and Mail
He's 23 years old, a multi-millionaire, Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. And at long last, he's getting his own place, moving out of Mario Lemieux's basement.

The Mystery of Malkin: What Went Wrong and What Can We Expect? | The Hockey Writers
I'm sorry, but if you call 77 points in 67 games a disappointment, your expectations are out of whack.

Report: Gionta to be next Montreal captain - NHL.com
Brian Gionta becomes the 2nd American captain in the history of the Habs.

What's the mystery behind the Tampa Bay Lightning's new system? - Puck Daddy
Will the Lightning debut a new system this fall? This is an interesting read, but I could see them getting torched defensively while they pick it up.

Report: Hurricanes on Verge of Signing Patrick O`Sullivan - Canes Country
Some folks wanted to see Nashville sign the former Edmonton Oiler, but it looks like Carolina will take him instead.

The Hockey News: Screen Shots: Western Conference predictions
Adam Proteau calls his shot in the Western Conference.

2010 Northwest Division Preview: Blogger Roundtable - View From My Seats
Just how far ahead of the pack is Vancouver here?

Neal, Niskanen agree to terms on new contracts - The Dallas Morning News
Fans in Dallas can breathe easier now that James Neal and Matt Niskanen are under contract.

10 fantasy sleepers for the 2010-11 season - NHL.com
Matt Cubeta has two Predators on his sleeper list, but unless you're playing in a very deep league, I'd steer clear.

Tale of the tape: Yzerman vs. Holland - NHL.com
A pretty neat side-by-side interview with the master & the pupil.

The NHL’s ice-capades - Macleans.ca
Colby Cosh applauds the NHL's tryout of various ideas at the R&D camp last month. There's nothing wrong with at least sampling new ideas.

Bourne Blog: Steroids in hockey; why current testing is inadequate - Puck Daddy
Foot for thought on a topic that's barely discussed relative to hockey.

Down Goes Brown: NHL referees and linesmen head to the bargaining table
Forget the possibility of a player lockout, can the NHL strike a deal with the zebras? DGB takes a look at their demands.

Damo Don't Know Jack # 2945 - Pension Plan Puppets
Kicking Toronto columnist Damien Cox around is something of a sport in the blogosphere. Few writers take such absurd stances on issues, while at the same time proving overly-sensitive to criticism.

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