Tuesday afternoon notes: Preds pare roster to 21

In the last 24 hours we've seen both Jonathon Blum and Blake Geoffrion dispatched to Milwaukee, leaving the Nashville Predators with 21 skaters on the NHL roster. Both optimists and pessimists can find something to chew on here - on the optimistic side, one could say that the team has shaken out and the coaches now know who they can run with, so it makes sense for the guys on the outside to get work in Milwaukee instead. The pessimist might look at a team which stands 30th in spending, and could certainly use an injection of talent both up front and along the blueline.

So heading in to tonight's game against Calgary, in which camp do you reside? Do you like the look of this team right now, or are the Blum & Geoffrion assignments a disappointing development? Ponder that question while reading your afternoon hockey notes...

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Nashville Predators News

Keeping Up with the Predators: Jordin Tootoo Show & Dollar General | ladypreds
Highlighting two ways to meet some Predators this week.

New skate policy brings team together - Predators Insider
With a young team like this, frankly I'm a little surprised that the Preds had this much leeway before a couple weeks ago.

Team reaction on Blum, Geoffrion’s status - Predators Insider
It sounds like Jonathon Blum might be joined soon by another young Pred in Milwaukee.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy urges U.S. lawmakers to change sex abuse protocol - The Globe and Mail
For those who are shocked and stunned by the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Sheldon Kennedy can offer the experience and insight that he started sharing 14 years ago.

The rats are officially back for the Florida Panthers - Puck Daddy
There's nothing quite like recycling a marketing gimmick.

Tampa Bay Lightning loses Antti Miettinen off waivers; GM Yzerman says system needs tweaking - Lightning Strikes
Winnipeg pulled a Svatos on Tampa Bay here, but I'd say Yzerman's suggestion here is a decent one - saying that only teams lower than you in the standings can claim away a European signee when he goes through waivers on his way back to the NHL.

Smart Boards Aid NHL - KuklasKorner
Very, very cool technology being used here as a coaching aid.

From elation to gloom, the NHL spirals into the abyss - The Globe and Mail
Roy MacGregor starts hyperventilating in print over Sidney Crosby's latest setback.

Canes Now - Skinner out tonight, to be evaluated
As if enough big names weren't out of the lineup already in the Eastern Conference, now Carolina will skate without Jeff Skinner.

Claude Giroux out indefinitely with a concussion - Broad Street Hockey
Ruh roh... Philly's star is now out with the NHL's injury du jour.

Systems Analyst: Steve Downie scores thanks to over-eager defending by Nick Palmieri - Backhand Shelf
Stay home, people!

Video: Massive hockey brawls way more adorable with 9 year olds - Puck Daddy
It looks like the KHL feeder system is well-stocked.

Does NHL need an independent appeals court for Shanabans? - Puck Daddy
Um, no? This smells like posturing ahead of the CBA negotiations.

The Peerless Prognosticator: On the Matter of Alex Ovechkin's Consistency -- Part I
In search of the mysterious cause of Alex Ovechkin's drop in production.

Team Zone Starts: Yet another way to show that the Minnesota Wild are not very good - Backhand Shelf
...and by extension, the Predators have some real problems. Still.