Tuesday afternoon notes: Rookie Camp ends tomorrow, big boys start Friday

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 13, 2011 4:58 PM EDT in Nashville Predators News

After earning another rookie tournament victory today over Florida (more on that later), the Nashville Predators prospects return for one last day of camp tomorrow, before the full Predators training camp opens on Friday. We've certainly had our appetites whetted with the performance of some of the guys like Craig Smith, and all eyes will be on him to see how he fares against the veterans over the next couple weeks.

For now, though, follow after the jump for your afternoon hockey news...

Nashville Predators News

Paul McCann - Tuesday Randoms
Paul's ready to jump aboard the Craig Smith bandwagon - but aren't we all?

Preds On The Glass: Predators Rookie Camp Series Part Two: The Last Asset from the Lombardi - Franson Trade
Buddy profiles Robert Slaney, who appears slotted for a banger's job in Milwaukee this fall.

Smith shines against rookies - Predators Insider
David Poile offers comments on how the kids did over the last two days, including Craig Smith, Ryan Ellis, and Chet Pickard.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Landsberg: His depression and his friend, Wade Belak - TSN
TSN's Michael Landsberg shares his personal insight into depression, and his relationship with Wade Belak.

‘Superbad’ writer’s hockey comedy ‘Goon’ gets distribution deal - Puck Daddy
Um, OK.

The PTM Interview: Mike "Doc" Emrick, Part 2 " Puck The Media
"Doc" chimes in on what he's looking forward to this season, including his wonder about whether the Red Wings are still considered a contender any more.

Jay Feaster discovers Jarome Iginla’s curse is tough to break - Puck Daddy
Should Calgary have gone out and gotten a big center like Columbus did for Rick Nash?

So, Mark Dekanich, You Want To Be A Blue Jacket? - The Cannon
Dex introduces himself to the locals in Columbus.

30 Thoughts: Jets return, The unsigned 6 & hockey's tragic summer - Elliotte Friedman
Elliotte's back on the beat with a good read that touches just about every corner of the league.

Devils have time to get financial house in order - The Globe and Mail
Well, so much for all the bankruptcy noise around the Devils, at least until next summer.

Canadian plans to buy Dallas Stars: source - Canada.com
Meanwhile, the talk is that the Dallas Stars will go through what looks like a pre-planned bankruptcy as part of their sale to Tom Gagliardi.

Morrow on long-running Stars' sale: "It happens when it happens" - The Dallas Morning News
The Stars players just want to see that whole drama get wrapped up.

Know Thy Enemy: San Jose Sharks - Winging It In Motown
I think we can sympathize with this Detroit-based view of the Sharks: "It's hard to objectively analyze the team that has ended your team's season 2 years in a row."

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The Panthers media has been great these past few days, and now some love for Smith

In George Richards’s story on the game this afternoon. Look toward the bottom for a blurb on Smith, including this little gem.

"I knew he was a good player,‘’ Markstrom said.

Um, yeah, since you’re having to answer questions about him.

And from Harvey Fialkov’s article:

Predators rookie Craig Smith, a fourth-round pick from 2009 who has played for the University of Wisconsin the last two years, is playing more like Sid Crosby as he scored two of Nashville’s three goals. He had four goals and an assist vs. Tampa. Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom had 34 saves, but was unable to figure out Smith,

[DonBorvio already pointed out this quote in another thread, btw.]

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 13, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I’m pretty excited about the kid. Markstrom’s quote is from the Large Book of Generic Hockey Responses.

by DonBorvio on Sep 13, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s ok to be excited. All the body language from the team, from the way they rolled him out earlier this summer to the non-stupid jersey number they gave him, suggests they think he can help right now. Load up on the Wisconsin kids. Looking forward to it.

by el pucko on Sep 13, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Spals-Smith-Geoffrion would be a pretty sweet line, if you wanted to go all youth (swap Smith for Geoffrion in Center if you want). But we’ll see what happens in the preseason.

by DonBorvio on Sep 13, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

or Wilson-Smith-Bergfors

by JBoogie22 on Sep 13, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s more that a reporter specifically asked about him than the response. You know, like asking Pekka about Kesler. It means the press noticed the kid and made it a point to bring the subject up and get a quote.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 13, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Dex introduces himself to the locals in Columbus

Not to be a brat or anything, but you guys do realize that that’s from a series of mock interviews, don’t you?

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 13, 2011 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

???

I went to the Preds’ website to look up Smith in the rookie section, and actually found him on the team roster (not the rookie section).

by LuvthePreds on Sep 13, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

They aren’t known for talking kids out of going to school. They put forth a pretty good effort to do just that with Smith and it worked. They obviously have high expectations for him.

by Predaceous on Sep 13, 2011 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

He’ll be put in, like Wilson was. But Smith’s older and more mature already, so it’s going to work out better for him.

by DonBorvio on Sep 13, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Another Inflamatory Preds Article

NewsChannel5 Investigates

After reading the letters between Aramark and Cogen, I honestly cannot defend the Preds on this one. They lied. Period! End of story!

by Predaceous on Sep 13, 2011 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

THEY LIED!!!!

These letters, along with references to other phone calls between the Preds and Aramark(who sucks and i never want to see in the bridgestone), and other concessionaires, proves the Preds never had talks with other companies in an attempt to find the best deal.

Honestly, the whole thing stinks of a company that wants the deal (Aramark), and is trying to use the media to influence the sports authority to force the preds hand in the matter.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Sep 13, 2011 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions