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Around SBN: Trent Richardson Interviews Fellow Brown Brandon Weeden

Friday's notes: Chris Pronger's season is over in Philadelphia

In what has become the overarching story of the 2011-2012 NHL season, concussions continue to affect key players on various teams. In Philadelphia, they're shutting down Chris Pronger for the duration of the season, and the same may hold true for Tampa Bay's Mattias Ohlund. Meanwhile, New York Islanders forward Brian Rolston is the latest to join the long list of concussed stars.

These notes kick off our league-wide hockey notes this morning, along with a call to action by a Hall of Fame goaltender for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman...

Star-divide

Hockey sales & coupon codes for Friday, December 16 | Hockey Gear HQ
The hockey sales are changing on a daily basis as Christmas 2011 approaches, so here are the latest deals & discounts you can find online as we come down to the wire!

Nashville Predators News

Smashville 24/7: Around the Room: Who would star in ‘24/7’?
You know what I couldn't help thinking while reading this? Wade Belak would have been a superstar.

Smashville 24/7: One more thing: Power play stays hot
1-for-1 keeps the hot streak rolling.

Predators, Bridgestone pursue NHL All-Star game - The Tennessean
With Bridgestone being one of the NHL's top corporate sponsors (they're the title sponsor of the Winter Classic, remember), that bolster's Nashville's case.

Nashville Predators' defensive-minded Nick Spaling goes on offensive - The Tennessean
Hmm... maybe Nick Spaling didn't like the grade I gave him yesterday.

Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Things are getting downright giddy with the Preds riding a 4-game winning streak.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Chris Pronger out for the season: Crying and other initial reaction - Broad Street Hockey
Huge news out of Philadelphia last night, as they lose one of the game's dominant defenseman for the rest of the season, and possibly his career.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund might not play this season - Tampa Bay Times
Even worse than the news that their veteran defenseman is out for the foreseeable future, it sounds like assistant coach Wayne Fleming's battle with brain cancer is becoming more difficult.

Brian Rolston is the Most Recent and Least Obvious Concussion Victim | islanderspointblank.com
Add New York Islanders forward Brian Rolston to the All-Concussion Team.

Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden on Sidney Crosby, Gary Bettman, and concussions in the NHL - Grantland
One of the brightest minds in hockey calls on Gary Bettman to step up the campaign to help prevent concussions among NHL players, and not wait until an exhaustive scientific study takes years to come to a definitive recommendation.

NHLers would face ‘number of hurdles’ in concussion lawsuit - The Globe and Mail
Just as some former NFL players have done, there's talk of some NHL alumni filing suit alleging that the league could have/should have done more to lessen the risk of brain injuries long ago. That's a steep hill to climb.

Mark Messier still looking for money from Canucks, report says - The Province
As if Canucks fans weren't already upset over how much money Messier made in Vancouver...

Where Division 1 Players Are Developing - Puck Worlds
The international development scene has certainly shifted quite a bit over the last 20 years.

Florida Panthers Ready for Road Game at Home: Team Asks Season Ticket Holders to Trade In Canadiens Tickets | On Frozen Pond
This one's a little odd - in preparation for a big home game against Montreal, the Panthers are asking season ticket holders to turn in their tickets if they don't plan on using them for that game, so the team can resell them.

Canes Now - Muller dips into Montreal playbook on PP | newsobserver.com blogs
Here's a look at some of the particular things that Kirk Muller is bringing to Carolina.

Saluting Niedermayer, on Eve of Devils Tribute - NYTimes.com
The New Jersey Devils will retire the jersey of Scott Niedermayer, one of the great defensemen of the last 20 years.

I Was Saying "Boo"rtuzzi: Predators 4 - Red Wings 3 - Winging It In Motown
They're frustrated in Detroit this morning, and understandably so.

Flyers 4, Canadiens 3: In Which The Flyers Take a Lickin' and Keep on Tickin' - Broad Street Hockey
The Flyers continue to hum along, even without their captain.

Sharks' comeback works in round two as they shock Avalanche 5-4 - Fear The Fin
San Jose played the comeback game, too.

Recap: Caps 1, Jets 0 - Japers' Rink
Thank you, Alex Ovechkin, my fantasy hockey team needed that!

Game 31: Calgary Flames at Tampa Bay Lightning - Raw Charge
Steven Stamkos rode to the rescue for Tampa Bay, scoring the overtime winner.

Bowman Comes Through: Hurricanes 4, Canucks 3 - Canes Country
Two goals from Drayson Bowman made the difference here for the Carolina Hurricanes.

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Motown

Reading their game recap reminds me why I like to cheer for anyone playing the Wings.

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on Dec 16, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Agreed

A bunch of needless junk thrown in there.

by OddManRush on Dec 16, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree, as well.

They’re arrogant pricks. I don’t hate the Red Wings themselves nearly as much as I hate their fans. If any city deserves to lose their team, it’s Detroit.

by MaASPredFan on Dec 16, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions  

You know the guy who wrote that doesn’t live in Detroit, right?

by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 16, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks!

To all 3 of you, actually. I enjoy reading constructive criticism of my writing.

However, I’m a bit perplexed about what was so “arrogant” and “needless” about my recap. Was it the talking about the goals? The praising of Pavel Datsyuk for making a play that one would not normally see? The talking about a Wing player who looked good out there and who is generally a lightning rod for Wing fans?

Or was it the fact that I didn’t genuflect at the feet of those plucky litle Predators who just never seem to quit and deserve to have an entire recap written by a Wing fan for Wing fans be all about how they are the little team that could?

Seriously, I’m all ears.

by Amerinadian on Dec 16, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm with you

I read your recap and can’t figure out the complaint.

by Lil cutie on Dec 16, 2011 3:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry

Some of us Pred fans tend to carry a pretty big chip…hazard of being a fan of a small market, small payroll -awww, ain’t they cute how they try so hard-team that is rarely if ever taken seriously. I also don’t see a problem with the article…its geared toward wing fans as its target audience…mission accomplished as far as I can tell. We are just used to Dirk’s sometimes TOO even handed slant (Haha Dirk) on this sight so it might skew our viewpoint of other blogs. Sorry bout that….carry on.

by TitanPredBearFan on Dec 16, 2011 4:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Thanks

I sincerely have no problems with people being upset at what I write (since most of the time it’s not flattering to the opponent), but last night’s recap seemed to be relatively respectful of the Predators, or at least that was my intention. I also have very thick skin, but was genuinely perplexed why anyone thought it was “arrogant”. If they thought that was arrogant, they would have HATED what I wrote had the Wings won.

I don’t understand what it’s like to cheer for a non-traditional market team like the Predators, but I do know that they probably don’t get the coverage they deserve, and some people will equate media coverage with respect. At the same time, being a fan of a team like the Wings means that when they lose and I don’t give what some people feel is enough praise for their team, then I am seen as arrogant and entitled.

by Amerinadian on Dec 16, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Good article...

Pretty factual. Good description of what happened on the ice. A great recap of the Weber/Datsyuk duel, as I was as surprised as anyone when Dats put Weber on his butt.

Bottom line is the Wings continue to be one of the elite clubs in the league and the fans of those teams who beat them (occaisonally) want instant respect. The Preds fans are no different.

Instead, Preds fans should look at the Wings organization as a successful model that not only puts championship teams on the ice every few years, but brings a level of play to the NHL year after year that virtually no other team does. There is a fine line between resentment and respect. Well, from this fan’s perspective, the Wings have my utmost respect and…..I’m damned glad we beat them last night after being outshot 40-21, which really pissed off their fans!

by GoPreds00 on Dec 16, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Maybe the insistence that Weber’s going to be a future Red Wing got under our skin? Maybe your insistence that Howard should be an All-Star and a Vezina finalist and we should all be kissing his feet already? It just smacked of that classic Red Wing arrogance that assumes every player secretly wants to be a Red Wing and treats Nashville like we’re your farm team.

Believe it or not, you’re not the center of the hockey world and we’re not your farm team, so stop acting like you’re entitled to our players.

by MaASPredFan on Dec 16, 2011 5:36 PM EST up reply actions  

we’re not your farm team, so stop acting like you’re entitled to our players.

Quick question; how many (by sheer number) of comments and/or posts have been on this very site in the last three months which have discussed the future of the Predators’ defense and whether it would include both Weber and Suter?

How many Preds fans don’t think they’ll both be in Nashville come next season? Yeah, I thought so…

But a Wings blog isn’t allowed to salivate at the thought because you’re touchy? Yeah, how dare we think our goalie is good either! What a joke.

by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 16, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh, get over yourself. That wasn’t “salivating,” that was being a dick. And sure you’re allowed to think Jimmy Howard is good. We all think our goalies are good, until we think they’re colanders. But Vezina finalist? Really?

Regardless, my assessment of Red Wings’ fans is based on a lot more than a single blog-post. And right now, you and the Motown Blogger are just confirming that assessment.

by MaASPredFan on Dec 16, 2011 6:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Jimmy isn’t in the conversation for the Vezina? You’re crazy. While we’re all talking about goaltenders and their paces, he’s on one to set the record for wins in a season. That whole ‘mediocre goalie behind a good team’ thing doesn’t fit the save percentage he’s putting up – that pesky little thing that people who like to shit on Wings goalies always draw up. Also, just completely ignore the part about how so many people (Preds fans included) think one of your big D-men won’t be on the team next year, because a rival blogger bringing it up is “being a dick.”

While we’re talking about who needs to get over whom, remember that you’re over here complaining about an article you don’t like over there.

At least your profile is honest though.

by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 16, 2011 7:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Both of you give it up

Two minutes each for pointless bickering.

And J.J., we try to keep the language “prime time TV” here.

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 16, 2011 7:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Confirmation Bias

I’ve got one comment, then I’m leaving this alone: you’ve got Preds fans above here saying it was a pretty fair recap of the game, yet you seem to have this opinion of Wing fans that isn’t going to change. That’s cool.

However, what if a Wing fan said “if there’s any city that deserves to lose their team, it’s Nashville”? You’d be very upset, as you should be. Whatever you think of Wing fans, wishing for a city to lose their hockey team is pretty low, especially considering that some people wouldn’t mind seeing the Predators move at some point to a more “traditional” market (and I’m not one of them, FWIW).

by Amerinadian on Dec 16, 2011 8:11 PM EST up reply actions  

However, what if a Wing fan said "if there’s any city that deserves to lose their team, it’s Nashville"? You’d be very upset, as you should be. Whatever you think of Wing fans, wishing for a city to lose their hockey team is pretty low,

hmmm…who does this remind me of?

by Sam Page on Dec 17, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Come on, man. Everyone is salivating over Weber and Suter. You must not read any other NHL blog on SBN… I mean who WOULDN’T want them?? Also, other teams are pushing for their goalies to Vezina finalists. It’s fine to hate Detroit, but be smart about it.

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

by davisca on Dec 18, 2011 3:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Not sure what the complaint is either...

I thought it was an extremely fair and well written analysis.

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

by davisca on Dec 18, 2011 3:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Pronger: Really sorry to see the possible end to a great defenseman's career....

However, I suppose there will be some who may find the irony in this happening to a guy who has been considered one of the dirtiest players in the NHL.

by GoPreds00 on Dec 16, 2011 12:36 PM EST reply actions  

And those "some" would include me.

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

by davisca on Dec 18, 2011 3:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Pronger

I think the Preds could command a kings ransom from Philadelphia for Suter or Weber. Would be interesting to see what we could get- Giroux, JVR, Matt Read… As long as part of the deal is Crispy’s name in the rafters.

"Life is but a knife blade, anyways. Sooner or later you slip and get cut." Charlie Goodnight from Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry.

Feel free to follow me on twitter @vols7381

by vols7381 on Dec 16, 2011 12:41 PM EST reply actions  

Maybe they would take Crispy with them. Then the deal would be a winner.

by GoPreds00 on Dec 16, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Aww, no! I like Crispy! He’s hilarious.

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

by davisca on Dec 18, 2011 3:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Pronger

probably deserves to have his career ended by a concussion. With as many flying elbows, blindside crosschecks, and slew foots this cat has dished out over his career, karma is a real b*. I have no sympathy for the dirtiest player in hockey.

hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.

by Shawn Kehoe on Dec 16, 2011 1:09 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

Although I hate to hear of anyone having a career-ending head injury, honestly my first thought was ain’t karma a b*tch.

by TitanPredBearFan on Dec 16, 2011 5:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Ditto, buddy. Ditto.

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

by davisca on Dec 18, 2011 3:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Ken Dryden

The guy is a really good writer, but he is reeeeally long winded. I like the review of padding size thats underway- thats the only thing I can think of that will lower the number of head injuries without a major change. However, bigger pads are meant to protect the rest of the body, meaning the number of injuries not involving the head will probably go up. The bottom line is people are bigger and stronger and are going to get more and more injuries. I wonder if a switch to olympic size ice would have a positive impact? If I were going to make a major change I’d start there. You can keep the rules the same and it may be a more exciting skill game

by Predfan19 on Dec 16, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions  

What we need are Olympic rules when it comes to contact with the head. Any contact with the head of an opponent is 2mins in the box.

Regarding less padding in players equipment, I think you might well see players not be as gung ho about ramming an opponent into the glass if they know it might hurt them as much as the guy they’re hitting. That’s definately something they should address.

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

by Grizzledbear on Dec 17, 2011 3:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

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