Preds prospects Cehlin & Ellis battle for World Junior medals - Wednesday's notes

As the Nashville Predators prepare for the first game of their California trip tonight in Anaheim, two of their prospects will compete for medals at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo. At 2:30 p.m. Central time, Patrick Cehlin (a 5th-rounder in the 2010 draft) will play for Sweden as they tussle with Team USA for the bronze medal, while the evening matchup features 2009 1st-round pick Ryan Ellis and Team Canada against Russia for the gold. Both games will be on the NHL Network.

Cehlin leads Team Sweden with 4 goals and 2 assists through 5 games, while Ellis is setting a host of career tournament records with each passing game. Hey, with the Emergency Room filling up with your current Nashville Predators, it never hurts to focus on the kids who are coming along nicely, right?

Follow after the jump for your morning hockey news...

The Minnesota Wild are the next victims vistors to Smashville, as they come in Tuesday, January 11. Save a few bucks and use our promo code for discount Nashville Predators tickets to this, or any other home game.

Nashville Predators News

Also for your pre-game entertainment, tonight's edition of SlapShot Radio will feature Ross Greenburg, an Executive Producer from HBO Sports. He'll talk with Paul McCann and Pete Weber about the very successful "24/7" miniseries which runs its finale tonight.

Game Preview #39: Nashville Looks For Rare Win At Honda Center - Predlines
Amanda profiles a battle of the walking wounded tonight in Anaheim.

Who should represent Nashville at the All-Star Game?… | Section 303
Jeremy opens up a good question for debate... my vote goes to Ryan Suter.

Hockey Night in Nashville: Imaginationative Thought
Robby has a question for you, so head on over...

TheSpec - All-Ellis-All-The-Time, but future is uncertain
Could this be the pinnacle of Ryan Ellis' career representing Team Canada? Maybe...

'Special' experience for Mueller - Predators Insider
For now, it looks like Chris Mueller will continue in the 4th-line center role, and Josh Cooper got his thoughts about his surprising, rapid rise to the NHL.

Trying to have fun and learn - Predators Insider
Blake Geoffrion cheers on recent callups Linus Klasen and Chris Mueller, and talks about going to see the Preds play in Chicago.

Nashville Predators goalie faces bigger test than puck - The Tennessean
Josh touched on this earlier in the season, but it's interesting to read about Anders Lindback and how he deals with Adult Still's disease.

Around the NHL

NHL May Struggle To Match Record Winter Classic Rating In '12 - Sports Business Daily
There were a number of factors that contributed to the high ratings for the Winter Classic, and it may not be reasonable to expect further growth next year.

Hockey fiesta in Mexico - IIHF.com
For any of you who think Nashville has no business ever hosting an outdoor game, check this out. They're going to have one in Mexico City next week to kick off the IIHF Division 3 World Championships, a match between Mexico and Bulgaria. 50,000 people are expected to attend.

Winter Classic in Mexico - Puck Worlds
Bruce follows up with a review of the hockey scene in Mexico, which is stronger than you might think!

Dare to Dream : Tom Benjamin's NHL Blog
Can Canucks fans start getting their hopes up? It's an odd position for them to be in, atop the NHL right now.

Video: Lightning G Dwayne Roloson talks about a big shutout win over the Capitals | Lightning Strikes
Tampa Bay could get really interesting if Dwayne Roloson really takes charge in goal. His first game as a Lightning couldn't have gone any better.

Bourne Blog: Spread offense, stretch defense and break the cycle - Puck Daddy
A nice X's and O's discussion of how the game is changing in the offensive end.

Wild signs free agent Jed Ortmeyer; Theodore starts, Miettinen, Scandella out vs. Devils | StarTribune.com
The one-time Predator forward joins Minnesota, where he'll be assigned to their AHL affiliate in Houston.

Taylor Hall gives Easton Synergy EQ50s to spread holiday cheer | Hockey Sticks HQ
Three local youth hockey players in Edmonton got a special treat this Christmas, as Oilers star Taylor Hall brought them each a new top-of-the-line hockey stick from Easton, the Synergy EQ50.

Lastly, this isn't at all hockey related, but it's amazing nonetheless: