Friday's notes: Looking back, looking ahead
by Dirk Hoag on Dec 30, 2011 10:50 AM EST
in Nashville Predators News
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PrintAs we stand at the cusp of a new year, it's only natural to see the hockey world take a look at the big picture, both for the year gone by and the one coming up. After the jump, we have the first of the 2011 Year in Review posts from the Preds blogosphere, a look at how one recent draft class is already making an impact at the NHL level in Nashville, and a preview of what should be the biggest hockey-related story in the upcoming year, the CBA negotiations between the owners and players...
Nashville Predators News
The Hippodrome: Between the Bengals and the Liberty Bowl, Down with Cincinnati! | Pith in the Wind
J.R.'s trip around the Nashville sports scene includes several Preds-related notes.
2009 draftees already making an impact for the Predators - Nashville Predators Examiner
The harvest is coming in a little bit early here, but looking really strong so far.
Smashville 24/7: 2011 a successful year for Predators
If you're looking for a dose of pure optimism, this is the review for you.
Smashville 24/7: Know the Enemy: Halischuk previews St. Louis
Ryan gets Hustlechuk's thoughts on how the Blues have changed under Ken Hitchcock.
It’s a New Year: One Year of Sobriety for Jordin Tootoo | The Predatorial
For Tootoo, a different kind of new year just began.
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber still recovering from concussion - The Tennessean
According to yesterday's report Weber is still experiencing symptoms, so I can't imagine he'll be back in the lineup real soon.
Nashville Predators' Kevin Klein still recovering from flu, won't play - The Tennessean
Does this seem odd to anyone else? If he's still recovering from the flu, then why has he been practicing this week? Isn't rest the usual option here until the illness has passed?
After fast start to NHL career, Predators' Smith has stopped scoring | Nashville City Paper
I'm not too worried here, as Craig Smith is still creating shots and scoring chances, and picking up assists at a decent clip.
Year in review: No longing sellers, Predators take big step with richest franchise deal yet | Nashville City Paper
I think they meant that headline to read "No longer sellers", but either way it's a bit odd when compared to the spending figures over at CapGeek.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Blues' sale talks are in crunch time - StlToday.com
The St. Louis franchise sale is still up in the air, as it sounds like the purchasers may not have the financing locked down yet.
The 2012 CBA - CanucksCorner.com
Tom Benjamin sets the scene for the upcoming negotiations, in which he expects the players to take a significant pay cut. Let's just hope the whole thing gets worked out without a work stoppage.
Notes and quotes: Stars now ninth in Western Conference - The Dallas Morning News
One of the early season wonder teams has plummeted back to reality.
Pizzo’s Points: 30th Anniversary of 50 in 39 - Backhand Shelf
Looking back at one of the more remarkable feats in NHL history.
Winter Classic in Miami? Florida Panthers Want to Talk to NHL About 'Outdoor' Game at Marlins Park | On Frozen Pond
This is a pretty neat idea...
The NHL's Most Interesting Name: The 1990s Part I - Arctic Ice Hockey
I fully expect Per Djoos to make an appearance in this series.
Here’s United States of Hockey’s Chris Peters on What You Need to Know Before VERSUS Launches Into College Hockey Tomorrow " Puck The Media
Oh yeah, Pete Weber, get ready for a smack-down on January 20!
An illustrated guide to USA vs. Canada in World Juniors - Puck Daddy
Folks dig the infographics...
Game 37 Recap: Victory, But At What Cost? - The Cannon
The Blue Jackets finally won a road game in regulation, but lost defenseman James Wisniewski to injury.
The Afterburners: Mason Shuts 'Em Down, Sans Fancy Pads - Arctic Ice Hockey
Former Pred Chris Mason stopped 31 shots as Winnipeg shut out Los Angeles.
Coyotes at Avalanche Recap: Avs Have Last Raff, Edge Phoenix 3-2 - Mile High Hockey
The Avalanche saw Matt Duchene go down with a knee injury, but beat Phoenix for another home win.
Staal Kickstarts Carolina: Hurricanes 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) - Canes Country
Eric Staal has had a disappointing season so far, but scored twice to lead the Hurricanes to victory.
Playin' with some jam: Jagr salutes, Talbot scores, little kids cry as Flyers beat Penguins - Broad Street Hockey
It doesn't look like the boos rattled Jaromir Jagr at all - both he and Max Tablot scored as the Flyers beat Pittsburgh 4-2.
Islanders 3 (EN), Flames 1: Tavares Shines in Strong Team Effort - Lighthouse Hockey
The Islanders star scored the game winner and helped with the opener as New York topped Calgary.
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I'm very happy for Tootoo
I hope he can keep up the good play this season. I still want him on the top line. I think he has the ability to be a goal scorer in Nashville.
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
Always find it interesting how two teams can play 60mins of hockey without either scoring a goal and then one minute into OT, boom, game over! The Jets look like they’re for real.
Considering how pedestrian Team USA looked against Finland on Wednesday, I’m not getting warm fuzzies about our match up with Canada on Saturday. Gotta beat the Czech’s today!
That Tennessean article headline made no sense. But it is the Tennessean afterall, so it’s expected.
Somehow I don’t think Donald Fehr took the NHLPA job to just roll over for Bettman and the owners. This could get dicey if the owners try to play hardball with the him. (Ask MLB owners about that).
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Dec 30, 2011 11:40 AM EST via mobile reply actions
FEHR
is bad news. i have suspected cba trouble from the 1st time i heard his name mentioned. he wont have the clout he had in mlb, but this will be a mess. hopefully no stoppage, but i would almost bet the house there is missed time at least to the level the nfl had.
by predswilrule on Dec 30, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
He is bad news. After the missed year, I thought all involved may learn a lesson….with fehr, apparantly not.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
by Predator Don on Dec 30, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Klein
I have had the flu quite a bit and it has never taken me this long to recover…. maybe Klein didn’t send Trotz a Christmas card this year so he benched him
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Dec 30, 2011 12:06 PM EST reply actions
I had the real flu (H1N1) back in January and I could see missing two weeks with that, but what I don’t understand is why, if he’s not entirely healthy, he’s practicing. Rest is usually the very first thing prescribed.
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.
Ya! Plus you don’t want him spreading it if its still contagious (not sure on that whole timeline). It just doesn’t make any sense! Maybe he’s trying to be like Michael Jordan?
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Dec 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not buying this story that Klein has the flu...
No evidence really points to that other than the fact that he’s missing games.
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
AGREED
something else is going on. either injury or trade. are we showcasing a called up dman and we needed the space. that would mean ellis or josi.
by predswilrule on Dec 30, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Do you think there could be an issue with the relationship between Trotz and Klein? Or any of the coaching staff?
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
ANYTHINGS POSSIBLE
but he has seemed to be fairly safe in trotzys scheme all these years.
by predswilrule on Dec 30, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
It has to be something more than the flu.....
If he is skating with the team, it is hard to believe he has the flu or a concussion. Something more going on here. Any chance a trade is in the air?
Highly, highly doubtful
It’s common to see a guy scratched for one game if a trade’s going down right at that time, but it’s unlikely that’s at work here. Besides, moving Klein would open up a huge hole that the kids can’t fill.
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.
I don’t know, and I don’t like to speculate in the absence of any hard information. I can only rarely attend practices, so haven’t seen him in person to even hazard a guess.
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.
Did Anybod See This Quote From Klein?
"Not going tonight, but I think I should be ready for next game," Klein said. "This is the first time I’ve been on IR with the flu … so that’s all I can say about that."
I thought THAT was rather odd.
One thing is for sure......
Something’s gotta give when Weber and Klein come back healthy. Ellis, Blum, Hillen? I think Ellis goes down and Blum and Hillen duke it out for #6 (perhaps Bouillon too).
This should have been a Reply to bandman
EDIT buttons would help with that!
Works for me. This whole year seems really strange. Our PP is flying, the PK is terrible, our D drops like a rock after the 1st pair, Trotz calling out Geoffrion like I’ve never heard him call out anyone, Klein on IR w the flu, Pekka seems human, Phil Williams w a hit piece(wait, that’s the only normal thing going on)
yeah
I said maybe its Mono the other day…but the flu for over 2 weeks now is insane. Something is amiss. Dont think its a showcase of the younger guys but I cannot put my finger on it either. Perhaps its a PR move by the Preds to get us used to seeing the youngest NHL team playing in front of our eyes. That way we can smoothly trade Suter away. And no I do not want that to happen. Something is going on. Dirk might not be at liberty to say either.
Trust me, I don’t have any inside scoop I’m not sharing. I’ve seen other folks mention the possibility of concussion (and a lot of joking on Twitter about it), but have no info to back it up. I went back and reviewed Klein’s entire last game, and while there was a bit of a hit that may have involved his head with about 7:30 left in that game, it’s not an obvious “yup, that must be it” as I found with Erat in the opening game of the season at Columbus.
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.
I have to believe
That Poile is seeing if our youngsters are ready for the nhl (or maybe allowing other teams to see) because of some trade that could be in the works. Has to be that or Mono that is keeping Klein on the IR. If anyone could watch a practice and see if Klein is involved in contact drills it would give us a bigger clue. No contact could mean enlarged spleen due to mono or another virus…otherwise something’s fishy in Smashville.
by TitanPredBearFan on Dec 30, 2011 4:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Shea Weber - #6 of Puck Daddy's best 10 players of 2011.
Fitting #6 is #6. There isn’t many players like Weber out there, Suter is great as well but I think we can replace him adequately, eventually from within the system. If we absolutely have to let one go that is.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
Suter
I do not think we can replace Weber or Suter…at least for many many years. Weber is a generational player more so than Suter however Suter is extremely poised with the puck moreso than most any D that there is. Both need to be signed by the Preds. I do not want to think about it yet but this team is like the Titans. Its all about next year. How good will both these teams be next year with this youth getting so much experience. I do hope we make some noise in the next month or so (free agent signing, trade etc NOT SUTER/WEBER) but if not, we are going to be pretty solid next year. Think if we sucked on purpose like EDM, we could have Hall, Eberle, RNH…Thats not our MO of course. Its hard work. There is talent but its going to take time. I think it can be done next year so sign the duo. I wasnt so sure earlier but now I am sure. It wont happen this year but the future is or could be bright.
For the record, we could have Eberle had we not taken Pickard instead of him in the 2008 draft. There would be no talk of needing a top 6 forward had we not botched that decision.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Dec 31, 2011 7:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He’d probably still be playing in Milwaukee! :P
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
Or traded for a Dman. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 1, 2012 1:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
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