Wednesday afternoon notes: Cryin' over Ryan
by Dirk Hoag on Jan 18, 2012 5:12 PM EST
in Nashville Predators News
Email
Print
The question of Ryan Suter's short- and long-term status with the Nashville Predators has been the topic of the day. When will he return to the lineup, after taking a hard hit against Philadelphia last Saturday? What are the prospects for signing a contract extension prior to this season's Trade Deadline? If the team has to let one of their star defesenmen go, which should it be?
Those issues kick off our afternoon hockey notes, but there's a whole lot more, including the story of the greatest hockey player the world has ever known, who is now facing his greatest challenge.
Save money on Preds tickets by taking the OTF Discount!
Nashville Predators News
Suter says he won't be back Thursday vs. Jackets - NHL.com
Dan Rosen adds a bit more detail to his tweets from earlier today.
Suter may be more important to Preds than Weber… | Section 303
Could trading Shea Weber help David Poile lock up Ryan Suter? If forced to choose between the two, I think I'd keep Suter (in part because Weber would likely bring more back in return, and cost more in salary long-term). Of course, the big issue is how badly each guy wants to be here, as opposed to playing somewhere else.
Pressing the Issue: The Ryan Suter Dilemma | The Predatorial
We've only had a few games to compare with, but Suter without Weber has looked better than Weber without Suter.
Nashville's Pekka Rinne may be great. But with goalies, - Sports Illustrated
In the upcoming edition of SI, Michael Farber breaks down the tough business of figuring out how to manage goaltending.
The Backpage: Awaiting the Goo Goo Goal | Nashville City Paper
JR takes hockey stats analysis into bold new territory.
The Mysterious Case Of Ryan Thang | Admirals Roundtable
Remember all the excitement when Ryan Thang got a short tour of duty with Nashville? Well, it doesn't sound like things have worked out since then.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
SN Magazine: Mr. Hockey's toughest fight - sportsnet.ca
This is the article of the week... a profile of Gordie Howe carrying on without Mrs. Hockey, who passed away three years ago. Set aside some time as it's a bit long, but well worth the read. (found via Kukla's Korner).
NHL Attendance Up 2.1%; Blackhawks Filling United Center To 104.9% Capacity - SportsBusiness Journal
Well, at least the fans in Columbus are doing their part. Attendance at Blue Jackets games is up 7.8% this season. The Preds are up 4.1%.
Can we all agree that NHL regular-season champions banners are tremendously stupid? - Puck Daddy
No, division titles and Presidents Trophies are certainly worth a banner. This notion that the league playoff championship is the only thing that matters is one of my biggest pet peeves.
O’Brien back tonight; Yip put on waivers | All Things Avalanche — Colorado Avalanche news — The Denver Post
Former Pred Shane O`Brien is ready to play again...
Capitals doubtful Tom Poti will be able to play again - Capitals Insider - The Washington Post
A real bummer for the Washington defenseman, who has had trouble recovering from a groin injury.
Six reasons Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings 2013 Winter Classic is a stroke of genius - Puck Daddy
I've got to get back to Ann Arbor for this. Somehow, someway!
When the helpful "stick-push boost" goes wrong - Backhand Shelf
Funny stuff here, and something to keep an eye out for in the future.
Rookies facing the toughest assignments - CBSSports.com
Craig Smith shows up as having a relatively tough workload here, while Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been more protected.
Do we care about the hits statistic? If so, Matt Martin could be on a record pace - Puck Daddy
No we don't. Hits are recorded entirely differently from one arena to the next, and there's been no evidence to show that high or low levels have anything to do with winning hockey games. This stat is a waste of everyone's time.
Like or Dislike: Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara named all-star captains - Backhand Shelf
Like.
Devils Financial Situation - A Brief Look Back - In Lou We Trust
Stories have simmered for many months now about trouble in New Jersey.
Capitals prepare to face Rene Bourque - CBSSports.com
Rene Bourque knocked Caps center Nicklas Backstrom out of the lineup with an elbow thrown when Bourque was still with Calgary. Tonight, he'll face the Caps as a Montreal Canadien and will likely face some on-ice justice.
Brophy on Reimer: The honeymoon is over - sportsnet.ca
How many times have we seen this story? Rookie goalie delights fans with surprising success, then comes back to earth as a sophomore. The pressure is raised because the team relies on him now, rather than looking at him like a $20 bill found in a pair of jeans you haven't worn in weeks.
Richard Bachman learning in several areas during wild rookie season - The Dallas Morning News
Let's keep an eye on Bachman next season, keeping Reimer in mind.
39 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Suter and Weber
I don’t think Suter is more valuable than Weber. Shea is the teams leading scorer!
He has the big shot, the physical tools and a hockey sense that’s tough to teach.
If Suter thinks better days lie ahead somewhere else he’ll probably regret his decision leaving his partner behind. Ego’s aside they just might turn out to be the best defensive pair to ever play together. This team will suffer if either one leaves, you just don’t find hard working world class players every other draft or so. Brent Petersen was on the pre game show last night and mentioned the team plans on keeping both players and DP is desperately trying to get them more help – his words.
Right, getting that help is tricky.
Someone called in to NHL home ice and said Green for Suter. Lol yeah right. The nhi hosts pretty much turned it down immediately. Green possibly has a chronic groin injury too.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
by DonBorvio on Jan 18, 2012 6:11 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Ray Bourque and Al Mcginnis
were so good it didnt matter who they played with…..
I like that word “desperately”! Though with Poile it may have a lesser meaning than to me. :D
Deciding which of Weber or Suter is better is up for debate (I’d say Weber based on his offensive numbers), but maybe the bigger question is: does one of them leaving mean the other will go too? All we can do now is make this a place where Suter feels he can win a Cup at, the money part will take care of itself. If Suter stays, that will make it likelier that Weber stays as well.
Just get Parise already! :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 18, 2012 6:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I can't believe this (rec'd)
but I absolutely agree with you. 100%. All it will take to sign both is to sign one player. A legit offensive player. This team is really, really close to being a top contender for the cup. Top 10 in most categories, top half in all (other than PK and it is ever increasing). Make the deal and sign them both.Think of what one player does to this entire forward line up. Points go up for everyone, and there aren’t many teams that have the balanced scoring that we do to begin with.
The problem is that it can’t be a rental. I don’t think either are interested in winning a cup this year and then being back in the same boat next.
Da Vinci Code? Contra code? up, down, up, down, select
Just think...
Sergei would finally have someone good enough to keep passing to!
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
by DonBorvio on Jan 18, 2012 6:50 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Nelson = Sergei? I’m not getting it.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
by DonBorvio on Jan 18, 2012 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Completely agree
Died laughing when I saw the picture. They do look similar, except Kostitsyn is not a bully. He’s the softest player on the team.
It’s what I’ve been saying for some time now. Gbear is nothing if not consistant. :)
It does need to be a player who will be here for awhile for the reasons you stated. Stastny is a guy who fits the description, though I don’t like his price tag. But if paying 1M or 2M more to get someone that keeps the big two on board, do it!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 18, 2012 8:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
LAST SUMMER
was the time to get the help. we will get less for more at the deadline.
by predswilrule on Jan 18, 2012 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
Very true.
And who knows, it might have gotten Suter’s name on a new contract as well.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 18, 2012 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Shea is the teams leading scorer!
Five Preds have more goals than Weber, including SK and Hustle. David Legwand is the team’s highest scorer. What you mean is Shea has the most points, but most of those are assists.
Shea is important for more than his offensive output, though, and the franchise needs to keep them both, even if the cost is greater than they want to pay.
R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
"You don’t motivate people; you activate something in them that already exists." -Guy Boucher
That’s pretty much what I was saying………maybe I could be his agent! :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 18, 2012 9:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
you would make a good agent, GB. Also, you should branch out and get Parise for one of your clients.
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Jan 18, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I have made repeated calls to ZP’s house and cell phone in an outreach effort to get him here. I’m not sure if this cease and desist order I got in the mail is related to my efforts………probably just sour grapes from Lou L. :D
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 19, 2012 12:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Suter and Weber
At least Weber sounds a bit more positive than Suter – both need to realize that spending to the cap is not always a good thing! Look at Buffalo, Columbus, Tampa, Montreal just to name a few. We’re only 4 points from the top of the conference – maybe the team is better than even they know.
by virgil trucks on Jan 18, 2012 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
But spending to the cap is good for their wallets. :)
What we need to do is to spend to the cap midpoint. We could do some good things with 6 or 7M. You could get a Stastny for that kind of dough. :)
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Jan 19, 2012 12:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wouldn’t it be awesome if he would just tell us if he wants to stay or leave? Am I oversimplifying it? I mean if he loves this team so much but doesn’t want to stay, wouldn’t he at least afford us the chance to get something for him…ugh Ryan you are killing me….these few games without you are tough to handle…i can’t fathom an entire season without Sutes….
I AM SICK
and tired of this drama. i would rather they just shut up and play. they talk the talk, then throw in enlightening phrases like keep guys around,etc. poile plain and simple said the money is on the table for suter, but he seems to be reading from the weber script. i back players for having the right to explore their options, but am very tired of feeling like they are being disingenuous(sp?) and are yanking us fans around.
by predswilrule on Jan 18, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
just like a bad rerun of weber last summer
by predswilrule on Jan 18, 2012 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
i dunno if Suter really means to just totally screw us over, I think the uncertainty is the worst part. I’m hoping this is just one of those things where his b-day comes around, and he resigns, like pekka….I wonder when shea’s b-day is…
by JBoogie22 on Jan 18, 2012 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
happy birthday
To all of us if and when this happens.
by Ian Kiracofe on Jan 18, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
August 14, right in the dead of summer.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
I am already tired of it too and we could have a month more to go, but I don’t know that Suter has been disingenuous or is holding the team hostage. He might really want to stay here, which he has stated publicly, that is not to say that might be all he wants. He also apparently wants DP and ownership to spend closer to the cap, which seems a reasonable desire: See Hartnell’s comments last week.
It could very well be DP holding everything up or just the fact that so many teams are still in the playoff mix. I really don’t think we would have wanted Suter to have come out last month and said he wants out and then the team have to deal with that circus until a trade is available all while trying to stay in the top 8.
another possibility
Is that they will wait till the end of the season and we are trying to read between lines that arent there. Ive given up trying to figure it out and just enjoyed watching them play together right now cause for all we know we might not have a season next year
by Shadow23 on Jan 19, 2012 12:25 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
maybe he's waiting to see what the new CBA is going to mean to current contracts before signing one.
How can I be a human rocket ship without any rocket fuel?
Question for Preds fans
Weber for Mason Raymond and Keith Ballard of the Nucks.
Like or dislike.
NM seems to always throw this possibility around but I don’t think it would ever happen.
Lead writer of nothing, commenter on everything.
Absurd
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.
Throw 2 first round draft picks in… then you have yourself a deal.
Also, come back this time next year and if Weber hasn’t re-signed, then you only need to throw one 1st round pick.
by utmfisher19 on Jan 19, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
that is the dumbest trade suggestion I've heard to date.
hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on On the Forecheck
Related FanShots on On the Forecheck
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
About OTF
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats & analysis, and managing editor of On the Forecheck.
Follow @Forechecker
Got a question, a suggestion, or are interested in advertising here to reach thousands of Nashville Predators fans? Feel free to email the.forechecker@gmail.com.
Featured Stories
Are you new here? Read this first!
Check us out on iTunes!
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
