Wednesday afternoon notes: No Marty, No Party

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 19, 2011 5:12 PM EDT in Nashville Predators News

This afternoon's hockey notes are all over the map - we're missing Martin Erat, preparing for a rematch of last spring's playoffs, preparing for an invasion of Smashville, speculating about trade possibilities, and even have a couple basketball connections for you. So jump on in...

Nashville Predators News

Life Without Marty Is Proving to Be a Losing Proposition For Nashville | Predators AJenda
A huge, epic read here that's well worth your time, discussing just how valuable Martin Erat is to the Preds, and how the team fares without him during his all-too-frequent stints on Injured Reserve.

Why Predators fans shouldn’t be reaching for the panic button… | Section 303
Where is that danged panic button, anyway? Just for future reference, you understand.

Paul McCann - Tonight's SlapShot Radio and Randoms
Paul welcomes in Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy blog tonight on SlapShot Radio.

Early League Standings Leave Many People Scratching Their Heads | The Predatorial
Yup, the standings look pretty weird when you're still in the first fortnight.

A Man Down: When it’s More Destructive by Who Committed the Penalty | The Predatorial
Jeremy calls on the Preds' PK specialists to quit taking so many penalties.

Smashville 24/7: A look back at Nashville’s playoff series against Vancouver
Remember the Ryan Kesler Show? Well, he's back in the lineup for the Canucks.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

The New York Rangers victory hat is just about perfect - Puck Daddy
Meh. Joel Ward looked a lot cooler when the Preds passed around a hardhat.

Will New Concussion Detection Technology Improve Treatment and Prevention in the NHL? - The Hockey Writers |
George takes a look at a new device which attaches to a player's helmet, and provides an alert for when a potentially concussion-inducing impact occurs. Will we see this adopted widely in contact sports, once the cost comes down?

Fear And Loathing In Music City: Second City Hockey's Savage Journey To The Heart Of The Blackhawks Dream - Second City Hockey
The Blackhawks Are Coming, The Blackhawks Are Coming! And their bloggers are coming, too, in January...

Rene Bourque Up for Grabs? - Matchsticks and Gasoline
What do you think about this guy as a trade opportunity? He's a pretty decent offensive player, but I don't know if he's a difference-maker.

Bill Simmons Heads to the L.A. Kings in the Wake of the NBA's Labor Trouble - Grantland
I can't imagine there are too many others out there buying NHL season tickets because the NBA is in a lockout. But hey, we'll take it.

Escrow Squabble Foreshadowing Another NHL Lockout? - KuklasKorner
Apply Betteridge's Law of Headlines here. Good stuff by Lyle.

Cherry has had an immense impact on hockey - The Globe and Mail
There's a reason to get upset when Don Cherry crosses the line, argues Bruce Dowbiggin.

Why the Bruins Tuesday Night Snapshow Was a Great Sign For Them - Backhand Shelf
They may have gone nuts, but at least they went there together.

Silver Nuggets: A look inside the Ottawa Senators closed-door meeting - Silver Seven
As long as you're bracing for a long, painful season, you might as well have some fun, right?

Thoughts on Jaroslav Halak’s Struggles - The Goalie Guild
My theory is, maybe he's not as good as the buzz which got built up around him after his 2010 playoff run with Montreal?

Goaltender Dwayne Roloson not alone in Tampa Bay Lightning's struggles - St. Petersburg Times
Tampa's defensive zone has been a shooting gallery so far this season.

The All-Former Duck Team (Active Players) - Anaheim Calling
Stealing this idea in 3... 2... 1...

Stars ownership situation nearing important deadline - The Dallas Morning News
Another milestone approaches for the Dallas franchise sale.

NCAA conference realignment spurs coach carousel - NHL.com
Forget all the blathering about college football conferences, it's college hockey that's undergoing a fundamental shift!

Anze Kopitar and The Beauty of the Neutral Zone Alley-Oop Pass - Backhand Shelf
And here you thought the Alley-Oop only applied to basketball. Actually, I recall Wade Belak sending one of these passes to Vern Fiddler for a goal a few years ago, so I dug up the video. Not quite tape-to-tape like Kopitar, but a dandy nonetheless:

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Comments

Regarding Rene

As I was writing my Erat piece, I got to know a lot about some 50-point producers I previously knew by name only; Rene Bourque was one who got my attention. He’s a two-time 50-point guy, 27g the past two seasons, until last season he was defensively responsible (was a minus player for the first time in 5 seasons), and he’s locked in at $3.3M for the next 5 years, which could be good or bad, considering he’s 29. It’s an interesting thought, but he’s definitely in his prime.

by ajinnashville on Oct 19, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Agree re Rene

He’s one of my favorite players – my favorite Flame after Iginla, as a matter of fact. Bourque has been through the wringer with injuries and is a significant mover and shaker regarding bringing hockey (and hockey equipment) to Native communities in Canada. He makes a difference on and off the ice. A mature, thoughtful player with a ton of hockey smarts.

by MouthGuard on Oct 19, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Great job on the piece AJ, I really enjoyed reading it. Solid, thorough analysis that put things in the proper perspective.

by Griz-ATL on Oct 20, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

not happy

One thing also to think about is after all these years they do not think about giving Marty at least an A on his left upper chest. He has been a great mentor at times to younger players and i think expected one to come his way this year. I can pretty much tell ya that hurt his feelings a little bit. But hopefully he is back soon rumors are maybe on the canadian roadtrip but we shall see!

by insidepred on Oct 19, 2011 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

I’m pretty sure he started last season with that “A” on his chest and went down with an injury. In Marty’s absence, Cube had the “A” for a while. I think the Preds have given Marty the chance, but he can’t seem to stay healthy.

Hockey Fights Cancer and so do I
Join me at
www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ceh

by Chas-E on Oct 19, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

SCH "Invasion" - Deeee Blaaackhawkssssss

I’m sorry, what was that? What’s coming to Smashville?

Are they bringing Ray Emery and his soccer balls? This bunch is a barrel of laughs most of the time, but I mean you have to cry when sentences like this one still make it to press: "And of course, the postgame meetup will only take place after our West Side Story rumble against St. Louis Gametime in the garage next to the DrinkScotch Center, so come watch that. It’ll be a lot more gay than the Jets and Sharks."

Really?

by MouthGuard on Oct 19, 2011 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

While we're thinking about the Bandwagon....ERRR...Blackhawk fans:

Here’s one of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNn3k1KfOrs

And EASILY the funniest thing you’ll see this week!!!

by turd-ferguson on Oct 19, 2011 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

"But either way we'll have another beeeerrrr..."

Awesome. And thank you. :)

Jonathan TOES. Fer shur. Just sit back and watch the movie. That’s my advice when these yahoos “invade” your fair city. Invade? Yeah, right. They’ll qualify as an “invasion” when Stan Bowman puts down his crack pipe.

There. I said it. :)

by MouthGuard on Oct 20, 2011 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions

IM A BOURQUE FAN

plays tough and in all situations. scores alot around the net. while i would love to have a prolific scorer this could be our best chance at a decent scorer thats reasonably priced.

by predswilrule on Oct 19, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions

I like the two 27G seasons in a row......

Can he carry the puck over the blueline and maintain possession is my big question. Setting up around the net doesn’t help much if you don’t have the puck, which is our #1 problem.

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Oct 19, 2011 11:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions