Sunday Hockey Brunch: The NHL's back in full effect

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 9, 2011 10:47 AM EDT in Nashville Predators News

There's nothing quite like a Saturday night full of hockey, is there? We had a full slate of games around the league, so this morning's notes are loaded with a big hit, the season's first hat trick, a jersey retirement, a minor trade, and a whole lot more!

Nashville Predators News

Preds On The Glass: POTG Weekend Headlines, News and Links: The NHL in Full Swing
Buddy has a zillion other links to keep you out of trouble this weekend.

Stortini’s Physical Presence Felt in Road Victory | PuckScene.com
If he can keep hustling and disrupting his opponent's, Zack could stick in the lineup.

Anatomy of a goal: Craig Smith's 10/8/11 Power Play marker - Predlines
A celebration of Craig Smith, also known as Johnny On The Spot.

Admirals Open Season With 4-1 Win | Admirals Roundtable
Ryan breaks down Milwaukee's opening win, which includes post-game audio from Kirk Muller.

telegraphjournal.com - New D-man impressed by skills of Sea Dogs forwards
Preds prospect Charles-Olivier Roussel is settling in after going back to junior, and getting traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
It doesn't sound like Martin Erat's upper-body issue is related to the back troubles from last season. Is that good or bad news?

Lambert’s first game - Predators Insider
No artificial stimulants for Mr. Lambert ahead of his first NHL game as a coach.

Nashville Predators' David Legwand shines with young line - The Tennessean
The Wilson-Legwand-Smith line has certainly been Nashville's best so far.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

A Get Well Message - KuklasKorner
Paul is collecting well wishes for hockey writer Eric Duhatschek (one of my absolute favorites), who is recovering from surgery. Head over here and share yours in the comments.

Giving Every Fan A Boost: Talking to the Jacket Backers - The Cannon
Meanwhile, fans in Columbus are forming their own booster group.

As if Atlanta Thrashers fans didn’t already feel screwed over - Puck Daddy
Greg does a fine job putting the spotlight on NHL blackouts and the plight of hockey fans in Georgia. The league needs to get to work with its broadcast partners and sort this out.

Minnesota Wild vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Game Recap - Hockey Wilderness
I'll be honest, I have no idea what to make of the Wild this season.

SHUTOUT OH MY GOD: Wayne Simmonds scores, beats people up in Flyers 3-0 win - Broad Street Hockey
Nothing like a little overreaction to start the season!

Recap: Bruins Defeat Lightning 4-1 Earn First Win Of Season - Stanley Cup of Chowder
This playoff rematch went to the Bruins, with Rich Peverley scoring twice.

Sabres Sweep Europe With 4-2 Victory Over Kings - Die By The Blade
The Sabres doubled-up the Kings in Berlin.

Sharks destroy outmanned Coyotes, win 6-3 - Fear The Fin
San Jose could prove to be a real Cup threat this season, and they certainly got off to a good start here.

Returning The Screw - Blackhawks 5 - Stars 2 - Second City Hockey
See, they complain about their coach's lines, too.

CSSI Analysis: Red Wings 3 - Avalanche 0 - Winging It In Motown
Starting off with Ottawa, then Colorado? The Red Wings look like a college football powerhouse warming up with some cupcakes.

Recap: Caps 4, 'Canes 3 (OT) - Japers' Rink
Tomas Vokoun sat on the bench for Washington's opener.

Four-Goal Second Period Powers Pens Past Flames to Win 5-3 - PensBurgh
Penguins fans should be highly optimistic about Tyler Kennedy this season, that's a name I think we'll be hearing a lot of.

Maple Leafs 6 - Senators 5: A Win Is A Win Is A Win - Pension Plan Puppets
Sure, the coaches were probably pulling their hair out, but Phil Kessel potted a hat trick for Toronto.

Cats Recap: New-look Panthers Win Season Opener 2-0 over Islanders - Litter Box Cats
So far, so good in Florida.

Ducks Acquire Cumiskey from Colorado for Newton - Anaheim Calling
A minor deal between Anaheim and Colorado.

A Theory of Ice: Resurrection Town
Ah, the nature of fandom...

Five Potential Free Agent Busts in 2011-12 - The Hockey Writers
Some good choices here...

Lowetide: Oilers Sign Martindale
No, not Wink. Although that would be awesome.

New York Rangers' demotion of Sean Avery could force Dallas Stars to acquire a player - The Dallas Morning News
With Sean Avery dispatched to the minors, the 50% of his salary that Dallas plays comes off their cap figure, bringing them close to the salary floor.

VIDEO: Dion Phaneuf's Huge, Legal Hit On Stephane Da Costa - SBNation.com
See, guys can still hit.

And lastly, they retired Peter Forsberg's #21 in Colorado last night. Catch the full ceremony below. The guy was an absolute dynamo back in the 90's, and I'll always remember him for being a real nemesis for the Red Wings' back then, but at the same time, a player you couldn't help but admire:

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Comments

HA! that’s hilarious. we made the trip to St.L for a Preds game a couple of years ago and i got beer dumped on me after Weber scored in ot to break a 0-0 tie. must be a tradition there or something.

by robjustice on Oct 9, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

In the comment section of that article at the Cannon, someone says it was some kids doing the “garbage tossing” (which was more playing than tossing). So while the author didn’t actually correct his initial accusation in the article, at least the real story is out there.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 9, 2011 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Hockey the Hard Way

What a concept! Quote all the naysayers and drop it on them: We Don’t Hear You. Puck Daddy has the Coyotes current ad campaign:http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Behind-the-boldest-ad-campaign-in-the-NHL-this-s?urn=nhl-wp14327

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 9, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Blackouts in Atlanta???

Are there actually blackouts in Atlanta? I live in Atlanta and have Center Ice through DirecTV. Both the Preds broadcast and Blues broadcast were available to me last night. I missed Fridays game because I was working. Anyone else living in the ATL area have insight on this?

by Griz-ATL on Oct 9, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Living in Nashville, I don’t know for sure but, if that is the case the NHL is really making (another) bad mistake.

by Marcus Newman on Oct 9, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Blackout on Comcast Atlanta

The games were blacked out on Comcast-Atlanta. Have heard that they also blacked out on Gamecenter.
A bigger problem for me since I have sworn off (and sworn at) Center Ice for the last time (no HD on Comcast in Atlanta, inferior game feeds) is that Fox SportsSouth has not published any kind of schedule of which games will be televised and the games do not appear in any of their future listings on any tv listing site that I can find, including their own. This brings back memories of the clownish bungling and invisable marketing of Atlanta Spirit Group-both the Canes’ and Preds’ management should get on this since they deserve better from their media partner.

by Big Picture Guy on Oct 9, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Wild’s defense, which looks underwhelming on paper, proves to be better than it looks, they could be a team to reckon with this season. Good job by their GM to address their scoring woes this off-season.

We didn’t do an Eastern Conference predictions thread (shame on Dirk, LOL!), so here are mine………..

1. Bruins: They’re solid up and down the lineup with some good rookies ready to step in if needed.

2. Lightning: So much offense, well coached and good enough on D and in goal to fend off the Caps for 1st in the southeast.

3. Penguins: Lots of skill throughout the lineup even with Crosby, will be dynamic when and if he does comeback.

4. Sabres: No weaknesses on this team, will make a serious run for the Cup in 11/12.

5. Rangers: Offense and Goaltending top notch, just need the D to hold together.

6. Flyers: Despite the negative response they got from some of their off-season moves, they have excellent balance throughout their lineup and much better goaltending now.

7. Capitals: The sooner they fire their coach, the sooner they’ll move up the standings. To much talent to miss the playoffs even with Boudreau behind the bench.

8. Canadiens: Enough overall talent across their lineup to nab the 8th seed.

9. Devils: They’ll stay competitive once Lemaire is brought back mid-season to take over the team yet again. ;)

10. Leafs: Enough talent there to stay in the race, but they’ll find a way to come up short yet again.

11. Canes: Cam Ward will keep them in games they shouldn’t get points out of, but just not enough talent or grit to get them into the playoffs.

12. Jets: Could be good if their goaltending comes thru for them, but I’m dubious that will happen.

13. Panthers: Again, if they can get this roster to gel together, they could challange for a playoff spot, but that remains to be seen.

14. Islanders: Not buying all the hype of this young bunch. Could be entertaining to watch at least.

15. Senators: Look like the top candidate to get the #1 pick in the 2012 Draft!

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 2:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Make this into a FanPost...

Sounds like good center-column material!

Follow @Forechecker

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories.

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 9, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t someone just do it for me? :D

I’ll see what I can do. :)

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 7:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Copy and paste, GB. Copy and paste. :)

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 10, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

That would require me actually getting over to my home computer……..so much work. :D

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 10, 2011 11:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I’ll do it. [rolls eyes]

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 10, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Lowballing the Caps huh? That’s a big drop for a team that had a pretty good summer. But I don’t blame you. Lots of teams got better, and can’t argue with the Bolts getting the nod in the division. I like your eight … and Toronto as a sleeper.

by el pucko on Oct 9, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the Caps as far as the players go, but Boudreau and his new fangled defensive scheme is just wrong for the roster he has, IMO. Get a pressure the puck type of coach in there and off they go!

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 7:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

djzielin did one a while back, but the comments are now closed. http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2011/8/5/2346332/predictions-for-the-2011-12-season-eastern-conference-style

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 9, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh and, as much as I love my Bolts, their defense can quickly become a shambles, a fact that showed itself last night as well as the last preseason game. That’s gonna need to get fixed fast.

The Pens scare me, even without Crosby.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 9, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

If only you had kept Mathieu Roy around. :D

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 7:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, that’s the missing piece. D*mn you, Hurricanes!!

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Even bears must face this fact: we're nothing without Rinne.--Grizzledbear, 10/9/2011
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Oct 9, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He’ll be manning the blueline as only he can for the Charlotte Checkers, just in case you want to visit and re-live the glory days. :D

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 8:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He’ll be manning the blueline as only he can for the Charlotte Checkers, just in case you want to visit and re-live the glory days. :D

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 8:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh look, it double posted. Fie on the web server!

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

by Grizzledbear on Oct 9, 2011 8:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Great Job Leggy

I can’t remember ever opening nhl.com and seeing him as one of the 3 Stars. My attitude towards him is usually a solid Meh, but he seems to have stepped up this season. I actually didn’t recognize him skating during one of the preseason games because he skated around the net so fast. I thought it was one of the younger guys. This line seems to be working well for him.

by ILovethe#6CannonFire on Oct 9, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions