Wednesday afternoon notes: The Caps, The Preds, and a common bond

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 16, 2011 5:10 PM EST in Nashville Predators News

The stories of the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals are more intertwined than one might guess.

While the Washington Capitals may be one of the NHL's most celebrated teams, and the Nashville Predators have to fight for every bit of recognition they hope to receive, there are some common themes found in these two franchises and their respective histories. Today's afternoon hockey notes begin with a look at just how similar, and dissimilar, the roads are which have brought the Preds and Caps to their current standing within the league...

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Nashville Predators News

Are The Preds The Team The Caps Want To Be When They Grow Up? Or Is It The Other Way Around? | Predators AJenda
Deep thoughts on the long-term history & outlook for the Caps and Preds. Take your time and settle in for a good read.

Fun with Predictions: Pekka Rinne Will Win the 2011-2012 Vezina Trophy - Backhand Shelf
See the Ken Hitchcock note below, but it is nice to see Preds get some run, isn't it?

A Milwaukee vs. Charlotte Home-and-Home Series in Nashville and Raleigh? | Admirals Roundtable
Some out-of-the-box thinking from Ryan here.

Champagne Recalled To Milwaukee | Admirals Roundtable
It's bubbly time in Milwaukee!

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Leafs lineup gets makeover - The Globe and Mail
James Mirtle takes a stab at what Toronto's lineup will look like tomorrow.

Cox: Leaf braintrust should stick to hockey - thestar.com
Damian Cox unloads with both barrels on the Maple Leafs for getting their hackles up over their reporting on James Reimer's injury.

Today in Things That Would Be Hilarious: Might the Leafs Sign Marty Turco? - Backhand Shelf
Well, it's not like they have better options available in-house right now.

Brophy on Leafs: In Scrivens they trust - sportsnet.ca
Speaking of those options, Mike Brophy tells the tale of what Toronto has on hand.

The Quiet Room: Visors. Yes, Visors. - Backhand Shelf
Outstanding stuff here on on why these should be made mandatory.

What's Really Wrong With the Bolts? - Raw Charge
Some hack's getting wound up because Tampa Bay has lost a couple road games in a row. Hey, wait a minute...

The 10 greatest NHL mustaches for Movember 2011 (so far) - Puck Daddy
A former Predator ranks high on the list.

Casting Your NHL All-Star Vote: Who Deserves a Write-In Vote? | The Predatorial
Jeremy points out a few early-season producers who aren't on the official ballot.

Why Chris Stewart was suspended 3 games for Kronwall boarding - Puck Daddy
Um... because it was an obviously reckless and dangerous play?

Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears The Crown? - The Cannon
Rick Nash may not be the only team captain who's off to a lousy start.

Silver Nuggets: Filatov rumoured to be contemplating KHL - Silver Seven
Well, it certainly doesn't sound like this NHL thing is working out.

Blues success gives Hitchcock much to discuss - STLToday.com
Ken Hitchcock is 3-0-1 so far. Cancel the rest of the season, I think we have our Jack Adams Award winner!

Here’s a list of the annoying things some hockey players do at practice - Backhand Shelf
What, no "bad gas" guy?

NHL - How it all worked out for Sheldon Souray - ESPN
Studley Wonderbomb is back, in a big way.

Stories of a Bender - Blocking Shots Safely - Puck Drunk Love
Sage advice from a beer-league wonder. One of my favorite plays ever involved blocking a shot, then kicking the puck off the boards behind the shooter, springing a teammate for a breakaway on which he scored.

New York Rangers News: Sean Avery Frustrated with Officials - Blueshirt Banter
I think this has something to do with all those vertical stripes.

The Hockey News - Top 10: Free agent flops
And you can see two of these guys coming up soon at Bridgestone Arena!

Source: Jim Lites to return as president of Stars - The Dallas Morning News
Jeff Cogen's former colleague in Dallas may return to help revive the Stars' business fortunes.

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Comments

Y’all know I’d love Pekka to win the Vezina and I think that IF everything continues like it’s gone so far (knock on wood) he would certainly deserve it, but Justin Bourne thought Winnepeg was gonna be good this season. So…..um, yeah.

Also, that Raw Charge hack is outrageous! (but, you know, thanks)

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

by CAustin on Nov 16, 2011 6:51 PM EST reply actions

Wait, you’re a Rinne fan? I never would have guessed. ;p

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

by Grizzledbear on Nov 16, 2011 7:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Jordin Tootoo just retweeted this from Joel Ward

@JRandalWard42 Joel Ward
Thanx for the standing O lastnite nashville fans…unexpected! Almost made a brotha shed a tear :)

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

by CAustin on Nov 16, 2011 7:04 PM EST reply actions

Thanks. Miss him. Was good to see him and be a part of that last night. Stood up when I saw the first frame. Cool of him to tweet that. And way to go, Preds fans. Just wish they had done it at the 5 minute break.

by el pucko on Nov 16, 2011 7:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

ehh. He had no clue what was going on during the tribute. He was on the ice and Colin Wilson had to bump him and tell him to look up. His words, “aww, that’s nice.” Then they faced off.

grumpy insurance adjuster. hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. nerd.

Follow @TheGr8Kehotay

by Shawn Kehoe on Nov 17, 2011 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

That’s why they should have done it at the long break. Still nice though.

by el pucko on Nov 17, 2011 7:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I caught him and Pekka having a little conversation when Wardo crashed the net and then everyone crashed on top of them. I imagine it started with “Hey man! welcome back!”

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

by CAustin on Nov 17, 2011 8:41 AM EST up reply actions

Aw, that’s awesome!

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 17, 2011 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

On another note........

Was surprised to see that thru the first 17 games last season, we scored 43 goals (not counting the goal awarded for shootout wins) compared to 46 so far this season. Would have thought we were further ahead of that pace this season. Will be interesting to see how those numbers compare as the season goes along.

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

by Grizzledbear on Nov 16, 2011 11:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Yeah thanks – was thinking about this too but hadn’t checked the stats from last year. Some decent pop so far, especially considering the SOG tally. I think the Preds had a fast start last year, some good balance in their lines before injuries started taking people away.

by el pucko on Nov 17, 2011 7:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

One day if time permits I have to try and verify a theory of mine that goal scoring across the league tends to be higher in the first 20 game batch of the season than it is in the other quarters of the season. Maybe a job for Dirk (hint, hint). :)

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

by Grizzledbear on Nov 17, 2011 11:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Great article about the All-Star voting. I noticed that in passing, but hadn’t really thought about it too much. That’s really screwed up.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 17, 2011 12:17 AM EST reply actions

Thanks...

It really bugged me obviously..;)

by HardCorePredFan316 on Nov 17, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Yea! It’s an issue that should be addressed!

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 18, 2011 2:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Love The Milwaukee/Charlotte Home and Home Idea

But I also love the suggestion in the comments that the Preds play a preseason game at the Bradley Center. That would be awesome.

by Predaceous on Nov 17, 2011 8:44 AM EST reply actions

Caps-Preds, AJ's story

That was pretty good stuff from AJ. Watching the Preds feels a bit like watching the Caps teams of the 80s sometimes. One difference in how Poile is building this team, I think, is the goaltender position. Caps always tried to import one. Their best was the one they grew (Kolzig). Poile’s second team does a much better job at drafting and developing that position. Credit to Mitch Korn, too. Poile has the same foundation on D that he had in DC, except much better goaltending. What he’s missing here is Mike Gartner, Peter Bondra, Dino Ciccarelli (HornQ?). Radulov would help. Craig Smith, who sometimes reminds me of a young Gartner, helps.

by el pucko on Nov 17, 2011 10:05 AM EST via mobile reply actions