Monday afternoon notes: Boston's Milan Lucic suspended one game

This may be a slow week leading into Christmas, but there's still plenty of interest going on around the NHL. We've got another suspension being handed down by Brendan Shanahan, an ex-player casting covetous eyes on a head coaching gig, a look at how Nashville Predators games are once again down-to-the-wire affairs, and a thorough examination of the issues surrounding Bridgestone Arena as it reaches its 15th anniversary...

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Nashville Predators News

One story you can follow online is the Preds' annual father's road trip - just check the Twitter accounts for Jordin Tootoo, Mike Fisher, Jonathon Blum, and the other players as they enjoy this Washington roadie with their dads.

Inside Smashville - Predators return to winning one-goal games
Every game's a nail-biter for Preds fans these days.

Paul McCann - Five Game Win Streak and the Unease Surrounding It
Paul sees the dissatisfaction within the Preds' locker room as a positive sign for the road ahead.

The arena at 15 — how Phil Bredesen’s gamble on downtown paid off | Nashville City Paper
J.R. runs through the number of ways in which Bridgestone Arena has transformed downtown Nashville, and the issues on the table as the city prepares to negotiate a new financial arrangement with the Predators.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Roy would listen to offers from Avalanche | All Things Avalanche — The Denver Post
To me, it's pretty bush-league of Patrick Roy to mention that he'd listen to an offer from Colorado while Joe Sacco is still the coach there.

Alexander Semin and The Trap - Japers' Rink
It can be argued that Washington's transition into a defense-first team has caused Semin's numbers to drop more than the rest.

Milan Lucic suspended one game for hit on Zac Rinaldo - Broad Street Hockey
The Bruins' bruiser got a one-game sit down for smashing Rinaldo into the glass on Saturday.

Puck Daddy Reader Art Gallery 1: NHL Holiday Ornament - Puck Daddy
Some holiday silliness for you.

Chris Mason is about to wear the coolest pads in NHL goaltending history - Backhand Shelf
Kudos to Chris Mason for pushing the envelope here!

2012 World Juniors Preview: Team Denmark - Puck Worlds
Bruce launches a series of World Junior previews with the great Danes.

Here’s an Apparent Leak of the New NHL Network Logo " Puck The Media
This is a leak, so make sure to destroy your computer monitor after viewing it.

Diagnosis incomplete, but "stupid fluke" will sideline Havlat on Wednesday — and Boyle’s foot injury | Working the Corners
Martin Havlat actually injured himself hopping over the boards Saturday night.

Montreal Should Always Hire a Bilingual Head Coach - Backhand Shelf
Most of us don't get it, but there's a good reason for the insistence on French-speaking coaches in Montreal.

Why The Panthers Will Make A Playoff Run...And The Lightning Won't - SB Nation Tampa Bay
A little intra-Florida NHL smack talk.