Wednesday's Notes: Is change in the air?

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 28, 2011 8:24 AM EST in Nashville Predators News

As the Nashville Predators prepare to face the Minnesota Wild tonight at Bridgestone Arena (Marc's preview is here), uncertainty surrounds the team on a number of fronts. How long will the captain be on the shelf? When might Kevin Klein return from his "flu", and why was he placed on Injured Reserve yesterday? Why was Gabriel Bourque called up from Milwaukee, when it is on the blueline where the Preds are missing two healthy bodies right now?

Questions aplenty, but answers are few for now. Prepare for what might be an interesting day by diving into your morning hockey news...

Nashville Predators News

Poile up to something? Roster freeze over, Bourque recalled… | Section 303
It's definitely odd to see a forward called up with Weber concussed and Klein on Injured Reserve.

Inside Smashville " Nashville’s offense has been led by its defense, so what now with Weber’s concussion?
The Preds didn't just lose their captain, they also lost their leading scorer.

NFL Pick’em leads to a lot of talk around the Nashville locker room - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond uncovers the fantasy football happenings with the Preds organization.

Smashville 24/7: Halischuk has fond memories of 2008 World Juniors
50 years from now, Matt Halischuk will still be remembered for his gold medal-winning goal.

Shea Weber may try to play Friday - The Tennessean
Will he try to go on Friday? I'd be surprised.

Some thoughts on the Weber situation - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper recalls how odd it was to see Weber rocked by Mark Fistric in Dallas.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

ESPN forgets. We will not. - Broad Street Hockey
Screw ESPN Sportscenter, this is a proper tribute to those members of the hockey community who were lost this year.

Would Gainey consider coaching Habs? + 30 Thoughts | Hockey | CBC Sports
Elliotte Friedman leads off with a look at the mess in Montreal.

Thanks to SEC hockey, football's fiercest rivals hit the ice - NHL.com
The gang at NHL.com takes notice of SEC club hockey.

Bob Hunter commentary: Howson’s patience has worn thin with Jackets, finally | BlueJackets Xtra
"Scott Howson has finally seen enough. The five-game losing streak the Blue Jackets lugged into last night’s game against Calgary convinced the team’s general manager that something has to be done." Seriously??? It took this long?

Slam dunk for hockey? - The Province
Here's an interesting notion on how to avoid adopting a practice from the NBA which might avoid spectacles like high-priced NHL players being pushed down to the AHL for salary cap purposes.

Latest NHL team selling ads on jerseys? Canadiens and Subway - Puck Daddy
Relax, it's only on their practice jersey.

WJC2012: Canucks, Blackhawks fans down on ‘Chelsea Dagger’ as Canada goal song - Buzzing The Net
Boo...

Red Wings Beat Blues, World Makes Sense Again - Winging It In Motown
Down 2-0, Detroit came back to beat St. Louis in regulation.

Make it Four in a Row: Pens Beat Canes 4-2 - PensBurgh
Just another night at the office for Pittsburgh, which included a power play goal by Steve Sullivan.

Habs Chase Anderson in 6-2 Win over Sens - Habs Eyes On The Prize
For a night, all was right in Canadiens-Land.

Panthers use huge second period to defeat Leafs 5-3 - Litter Box Cats
Florida benefited from some pretty odd goals in this one.

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Comments

Nice article in the Tennesean on Tootoo

He seemed like a different player in the playofffs last year. makes me think twice about paying $8 for a Steela artois tonight at the United Center.

by wardrums on Dec 28, 2011 9:45 AM EST reply actions

IIRC, didn’t Weber get a concussion from that punch in the dark during a fight with some guy from either the Ducks or Canucks (think it may have been Moen)? I remember Weber having the guys jersey pulled over his head and whoever it was landing a lucky punch that knocked Weber for a loop. At any rate, Weber recovered well after that, so hopefully he’ll recover the same after this hit.

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

by Grizzledbear on Dec 28, 2011 11:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I don’t know if they called that a concussion at the time, but it sure looked likely. There was also a serious incident in 2004 when he was still in junior, referenced over at HF Boards. I’ve tried to find media accounts of it online without luck, but it sounds like he went head-first into the boards and lay on the ice in convulsions for quite a while before they could take him off.

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by Dirk Hoag on Dec 28, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions