Wednesday afternoon notes: Nashville Predators games declared a tasty, affordable treat

Our afternoon hockey notes kick off with two bits of good news for Nashville fans; in separate reports, the experience at a Predators game ranks highly for both food quality and affordability. And to add a third, totally unscientific personal opinion, my daughter and I took in the "All You Can Eat" section for the first time last night, and we gave it a thumbs-up. Sure, the portions they hand out are mostly smaller than what you'd pay for at other concession stands (the popcorn, in particular, is criminally minute), but the upside is that you can work off the calories huffing & puffing your way back for more.

Looking for cheap Nashville Predators tickets? Take the OTF Discount!

Nashville Predators News

The cost of fanaticism | nashvillepost.com

As long as you're not pounding the beers, Bridgestone Arena's a cheap date for NHL fans, according to the latest edition of the Fan Cost Index.

Fourth in the Central. First in your stomach. | nashvillepost.com
You take the compliments wherever you can find them, and the Preds took the #1 spot on a foodie's list. But really, does hardly anyone really tailgate before Preds games?

Smashville 24/7: Conversation with Brian McGrattan
It's all about the road ahead for Brian McGrattan, who sees opportunity here in Nashville. I'm not a fan of the role he's been given, but I have no doubts he'll do his best to fill it.

Paul McCann - Adjust and Adapt - Tonight's SlapShot Radio
Paul sets up tonight's edition of SlapShot Radio (6:00 on 102.5 The Game), which will lead up to the new Jordin Tootoo show on that same station at 7:00.

Preds On The Glass: POTG Wednesday Headlines, News and Links: Back to the Drawing Board
Mmmm... brains.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Presented Without Comment | mc79hockey.com
Did Commissioner Gary Bettman lie on Hockey Night In Canada when asked about the sale of the Dallas Stars? If giving the Commissioner full operational control of the team "including authority to cause a sale" doesn't constitute "turning back the keys", what would? This blog brought to you by the guy who launched the Colin Campbell e-mail scandal last year around this time.

As team heads to Detroit, a look back at 3-1 victory over Predators — and a recap of the Nashville scene | Working the Corners
David Pollak took in the nightlife in Nashville before heading out of town with the Sharks.

The flip side of the Connolly conundrum - Raw Charge
As they prepare to face the Preds tomorrow night, the Lightning have decided to keep young Brett Connolly with them this season, which could result in someone else being shown the door.

Taylor Hall says Twitter hacked, doesn’t think Oilers fans are worst - Puck Daddy
Building your social media network isn't without its perils, as Taylor Hall found out.

Senators return Mika Zibanejad to Djurgårdens IF - Silver Seven
The Ottawa Senators are sending a young rookie back to Sweden, too. One upside of such moves is it allows the player's entry-level contract to "slide" for another season, which I believe applies to Mattias Ekholm, too - so the clock on his 3-year deal won't begin until next fall, assuming he comes back over again. UPDATE: I was wrong there, Ekholm was too old when he signed his contract to have this logic apply.

Tom Renney's Trust - The Copper & Blue
Who cares about the article, I just love the graph in here that reminds of a 1970's Houston Astros uniform.

Capitals hope to make smooth adjustment to time change - Capitals Insider
Oh, those quaint Eastern Conference teams, for whom time-zone changes are such a novelty.

Puck Daddy chats with Pittsburgh Penguins’ James Neal about hot start, Gary Roberts training and life on Twitter - Puck Daddy
I think I need a trip to Gary Roberts' camp next summer!

The 3 different types of shootout shooters - Backhand Shelf
Entertaining stuff here about various SO tactics.

Lindros confirms Flyers Winter Classic appearance; Doom reunion? - Puck Daddy
It's too bad we can't have a complete Russian Five reunion, too, so we can watch them make the Legion of Doom skate themselves silly trying to hit them.

THN.com Top 10: Players of the month
Premature enumeration on Adam Proteau's part here, there are still several more days left in October!

Super-charge your game with the Easton Stealth RS | Hockey Gear HQ
Easton's latest one-piece composite hockey stick is a goal-scoring machine that combines puck control, pass/shot accuracy, and responsive, durable performance.