Tuesday's notes: Trio of tough games to test Preds this week

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 13, 2011 10:26 AM EST in Nashville Predators News

Tonight's game against Calgary kicks off a trio of competitive Western Conference teams coming in to Bridgestone Arena this week. We'll certainly have a better idea of the Preds' standing as playoff contenders after seeing how they fare against Calgary, Detroit & St. Louis on home ice.

This morning, we've got discussion on what's right (and wrong) with the Predators right now, musing over who will be the new permanent head coach in Los Angeles, an update on the World Junior tournament, and even the story of how one hockey blogger turned his hobby into an honest living...

5 Gift Ideas for Nashville Predators Fans | Hockey Gear HQ
Time is running short... but you can still take advantage of these great gift ideas for the Preds fans on your Christmas list.

Nashville Predators News

Paul McCann - Answering Questions from a New Hockey Fan ... and Randoms
Paul's mailbag came all the way from Scotland!

Nashville Predators Breakdown: What's Wrong with this Team? - THW
Well, at least we know the power play has been good.

Blum Assigned To Milwaukee | Admirals Roundtable
Ryan examines the impact of Jonathon Blum's return to Milwaukee on the depth chart there.

Weekend leftovers - JSOnline
Assorted morsels of Milwaukee goodness.

Darren Haydar joins the 700-point club Saturday night against the Admirals | hockeygalmilwaukee
Congrats to the former Predator/Admiral.

Nashville Predators' new power-play strategy keys wins - The Tennessean
A fresh look may be playing a role in the Preds' recent PP success.

Boclair: Deja Vu | Nashville City Paper
David Boclair wonders if Sergei Kostitsyn might just be a slow starter.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

metricjulie - My response to Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette
A standing ovation goes out to Julie here for a well-written response to a sensationalist, ill-considered column published the other day attacking Theo Fleury for "enabling" Graham James.

Video Rulebook: Home - NHL.com
The NHL has rolled out a series of videos to help explain various aspects of the NHL Rulebook. It still doesn't make the "no goal" call on Colin Wilson Saturday night any less full of BS. "Distinct kicking motion" in no way describes what happened on what should have been the opening goal of that game.

50 Most Influential People in Sports Business - SportsBusiness Journal
Several NHL executives make the annual list, led by Gary Bettman at #9.

With ‘house money’ spent, will Kings turn to Darryl Sutter? - Puck Daddy
Well, at least this qualifies as recycling. Speculation is just getting rolling on a permanent replacement to Terry Murray as L.A. Kings head coach.

Down Goes Brown: A look at this year's top rookies
Zing! "Craig Smith, Nashville - Is best known for his comical inability to shoot the puck into a wide open net, which probably explains his lack of success against Steve Mason."

Was a Trade with the Anaheim Ducks the Answer to New Jersey Devils’ Woes? - The Hockey Writers
What can Kurtis Foster bring to the Devils defense?

Carlyle's vacation is over + 30 Thoughts - CBC Sports
Elliotte Friedman's weekly column touches on the coaching market, the recent Kaberle/Spacek trade, and a whole lot more.

Months after plane crash, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl reborn on ice - Puck Daddy
With prospects and players on loan from other teams, Lokomotiv begins the next phase of its history.

Top 10 Goalies of the Season Volume 2 - Fantasy Hockey Scouts
Pekka Rinne makes it in by the skin of his teeth.

With a tight week ahead, Monday's practice long and beneficial for Stars - The Dallas Morning News
The Stars will have their hands full trying to hold off Phoenix and San Jose in the Pacific Division.

NHL.com - Roenick builds his team of top American talent - World According to JR
I think JR's taken one too many hits to the head. How does he not have Ryan Suter as a starting D? Brooks Orpik & Jack Johnson, are you kidding me?

Dream Jobs: NHL Hockey Writer
How one hockey blogger escaped his mother's basement and is actually earning a living at this thing. (found via Puck Daddy)

IIHF WJCs: Germans Make Big Statement - Puck Worlds
Deutschland uber alles?

Yes, There's Hockey Without Fighting - NYTimes.com
Yup, and it's darn good hockey, too.

The most amazing NHL trophy replicas in floor hockey history - Puck Daddy
ME WANT.

Sidney Crosby and the 100-percent headache - Puck Daddy
Sidney Crosby is out of the lineup again for Pittsburgh, with no timetable for return. Bad, bad news for the team and the league.

The Hockey News: Campbell: Leafs sale means Toronto one step closer to second NHL team
This is by far the best thing that could happen to the NHL, when it comes to franchise relocation.

Nikita Filatov loaned to CSKA Moscow of KHL - Silver Seven
Bye bye, birdie.

NHL Original Productions Will Debut with NHL 36: Patrick Kane " Puck The Media
NHL 36? What's the scoop on that title???

What Lightning Fans Should Know About PDO - Raw Charge
CAustin drops a little knowledge on Tampa fans.

Tweet Comment 30 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thanks for the link, Dirk.

also, Woot! alliteration!

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.

by CAustin on Dec 13, 2011 10:33 AM EST reply actions

In Boclair's Article...

He said Kostitsyn was Russian. Isn’t he a Belarussian?

Also, my ticket rep called and gave me two lower bowl tickets for tonight’s game… FOR FREE!!! How awesome is that!?!

by dnorm4 on Dec 13, 2011 11:34 AM EST reply actions

He said Kostitsyn was Russian. Isn’t he a Belarussian?

Correct… and enjoy those seats!

Follow @Forechecker

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to helping you save on hockey equipment, accessories, and NHL apparel.

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 13, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

At the time he was born Belarus was part of the SSR. So technically, he could be considered either.

by vols7381 on Dec 13, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Soviet, maybe, but not Russian. It’s a simple mistake for Boclair to make, but it’s a mistake.

Follow @Forechecker

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and a guy who can help you save money on all things hockey-related at Hockey Gear HQ.

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 13, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

They might have been the ‘white’ russians. I can’t remember.

World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer

by cisar on Dec 13, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

White Russians?

by Stormyt on Dec 13, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Photo caption:
Bologna, bologna, Selanne.

World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer

by cisar on Dec 13, 2011 11:48 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Can't go to the game on Thursday....

so I am selling my two seats for what I paid for them. 109 Row C $25 a piece. Text my Google Voice number: 615-671-9283.

by joelmitchell on Dec 13, 2011 11:59 AM EST reply actions

gone

Tickets are sold.

by joelmitchell on Dec 13, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

NHL 36

I am EXTREMELY excited about this idea of NHL 36. I can’t wait to watch this as they haven’t been doing any new “Oil Change” shows on NHL Network.

Btw, the reason why it is called NHL 36 is because they follow the player for 36 straight hours…

by utmfisher19 on Dec 13, 2011 12:15 PM EST reply actions

It does seem like a really cool idea!!

I’d love for them to follow some less talked-about players, as well. Guys who have an impact, but aren’t spot-lighted on NHL.com, or in the standings or anything. Say… I dunno, off the top of my head, the Nathan Gerbes, Cal Clutterbucks, Scott Hartnells, David Backeses, and Martin Erats of the NHL. Some how I doubt they will, but personally I think it’d be more fun to watch than if they just followed the same people we hear about day in-day out (Crosby, Ovechkin, Kane, Toews, Chara, Perry (God forbid :P), etc.).

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

by davisca on Dec 13, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

Are you sure they aren’t referring to EA Sports NHL ’36, the classic Atari game?

by Lil cutie on Dec 13, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Or is it the futuristic EA game? Hockey with hoverboards.

by vols7381 on Dec 13, 2011 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

First up, Patrick Kane

How many cabbies will he punch out? Find out Wednesday night hahaha

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.

by JDesthubert on Dec 13, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

I kinda get the feeling that after 36 hours with Patrick Kane, I’d need penicillin.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.

by CAustin on Dec 13, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

And alcohol. Actually, you’d probably need that to make it trough the 36 hours in the first place.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 13, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

If it was 36 hours with Theo Fleury, you’d wind up drunk and in a strip club by the end.

by vols7381 on Dec 13, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Ed Belfour’d give you a million dollars not to air the footage of the 36 hours with him.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.

by CAustin on Dec 13, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

I caddied for Belfour....

Once working at the Bay City CC in Michigan when he was playing for the IHL Saginaw Hawks. Dude stiffed my tip! And he won big because of me.

by djzielin on Dec 13, 2011 6:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I bet he'll drop his pants in front of the camera at some point.

by turd-ferguson on Dec 13, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

I'd put money on that.

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

by davisca on Dec 13, 2011 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve got a feeling it’s going to play out alot like “Dude Where’s My Car?”, with Kane waking up hung over and spending all 36 hours trying to figure out what the heck happened the previous day.

by Stormyt on Dec 13, 2011 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

Hahahahaha.

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

by davisca on Dec 13, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

lolwut?

JR also chose TJ Oshie over Bobby Ryan. A guy who has yet to score 20 goals in a season vs. a guy who’s scored 30 every year he’s been in the league? I know Oshie gets hurt a lot but come on…

I currently star in the new MTV3 series,
"Jersey Shore: Lake Erie Edition"
Cleveland Rocks!

by MattBen on Dec 13, 2011 1:06 PM EST reply actions

Quick question from Hockey Wilderness

Will Shea Weber become a UFA at the end of this season, or will he still have RFA status? We’re not sure if the 28 games in his first season count as a year in the league, so we’re just looking for confirmation either way.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.

by JDesthubert on Dec 13, 2011 1:33 PM EST reply actions