Thursday afternoon notes: Meet Nashville's Noggin Doctor

While waiting for tonight's Predators/Canucks game (9:00 p.m. start on FS-TN), read through your afternoon hockey notes, which begin with an interview of the man who helps the Preds deal with the scourge of the NHL: concussions.

5 Gift Ideas for Nashville Predators Fans | Hockey Gear HQ
Searching for gift ideas for a Nashville Predators fan? Included in this list we have ways to save on a custom hockey jersey, or buy your gifts from local businesses which support the Preds.

Nashville Predators News

Solomon helps the pros rebound from concussion - The Reporter
Meet the medicine man who serves as team neuropsychologist to the Nashville Predators. Of course, concussions are the topic du jour.

20 Questions with Chris Mueller - JSOnline

I'm guessing he and Tom Callahan could hang and watch football together.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Ducks star Bobby Ryan no longer on the market - CBSSports.com
Yup, stick a fork in those rumors (for now). You know what strikes me, though? The notion that "Ryan's desire to be moved is no longer an issue". So is he a coach-killer like some are calling Alex Ovechkin?

Mason Raymond will be on Canucks' speedy line - Montreal Gazette
Even though Mason Raymond returns to NHL play tonight, he will deal with effects from his back injury for the rest of his life.

Shane Doan: ‘I don’t know how I’ll be received’ by Jets fans - Puck Daddy
I can't imagine they'd boo him in Winnipeg, would they?

Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Mike Grier Retires
Now here's a guy who earned respect from around the league.

Bruins Sign David Krejci To Three Year Extension - Stanley Cup of Chowder
3 years, $15.75 million for the Boston center.

NHL team grades: Where all 30 clubs stand after the first quarter of the 2011-12 season - ESPN
The Preds get a solid "meh".

Leafs remain most valuable team - Interview with Forbes Sr. Editor Kurt Badenhausen - Puck Drunk Love
A look at the process by which Forbes attempts to come up with their annual numbers. What bugs me is the authoritative tone they take, considering the amount of conjecture that goes into the exercise.

Coming Down the Pipe!: End of an Era
In the New Year, North Dakota will no longer be known as the "Fighting Sioux".

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Equalling Sidney Crosby’s First 25 Games, But Where Is The Love? - The Hockey Writers
So far, so good for the 2011 #1 overall draft pick.

Why the Calgary Flames Won't Trade Jarome Iginla - Matchsticks and Gasoline
Arik doesn't believe the Calgary icon is going anywhere.

Driving Play: The NHL CBA - A Very Long Series of Articles - Part 1
Will the owners make a big push to get the players' share of hockey money down to 50% from 57%, as the NBA and NFL have done recently?

Flyers’ Pronger Talks About Surgery, Virus, Return - NHL Hot Stove
Philadelphia will be in a bit of a holding pattern until their defensive monolith returns.

Matt Walker on re-entry waivers, or, the silliest risk of the year so far - Broad Street Hockey
...and in the meantime, a recall puts Philly at risk of getting saddled with a salary cap burden for this season and next.

Gift ideas for your athlete - Trophy Mom
One enterprising hockey mom puts together a list of Christmas gift ideas.

Leading Off: What's Gotten Into Hockey? - NYTimes.com
Lynn Zinser can't get used to seeing Minnesota at the top of the NHL standings.