It started innocuously enough. I was reading Sam's article about making a trade for Jeff Carter and I thought to myself "Do we need to get Carter?" The 'get Carter' triggered the memory of that movie, and I thought that would be an easy photoshop job to do the movie poster. I then decided to go ahead and do one for each of the players that the good writers here wrote about.

So here is the collection of these hockey-centric, cinematic blockbusters for your amusement.

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He's a UFA, he's very responsible and he is a couple years younger than Gill. I think he would be a good addition. Also, looking at the Lightning, gimme opinions on St. Louis, LeCavlier or Malone moving to a team that has its sights realistically set on the Cup i.e.Preds. All three have no-trade clauses, but none of those guys are getting any younger either. Do you think Yzerman would move them? Do you think any one of them would be willing to waive their clause in an effort to win a cup?

In the modern sports world, a player in all markets, will say things like "I love it here and want to stay" and "It's not all about the money". We hear this and want to believe it, but most of us simply can't relate. The Preds are certainly in a wonderful position. Drafting and developing young players as well as anyone, only to hold on to the purse strings, when opportunities have come. This is not the time to sit back and be frugal. This is make or break time.

This team is only one big trade from becoming a real problem to anyone they play. They play great team defense, hustle, and have the best TEAM ethic from any team I've watched this year. For many years, for that matter. If they just had a closer. Someone who doesn't take the extra pass. Or looks for it. Just shoot shoot shoot!! In this capacity, Jeff Carter is perfect for this role. But that contract . . .

It's a lot to ask of Nashville to go get a player with such a huge contract. And it is HUGE! They've never done it before, so I wouldn't expect it. Also, someone with a bit of a bad reputation, might not be the type of player a team that's really got it going would want to bring in. However, if they can get him for a song (it IS Music City), get him and then decide who goes. Someone always does.

Everywhere I read, it seems that Suter's out the door, which I don't understand. Or that him and or Weber's leaving is some sort of inevitability. Simply put, if they want to WIN and win for years to come, then they will stay. What people aren't talking about, is how this team is poised to become the next Detroit Red Wings. A couple acquisitions and they will be contenders for years to come.

So Nashville, figure it out. I hope you know how close you really are. No need to lose any key players, here. Pay Suter (5 years). Pay Weber (7 years). Get Carter? Who knows, on that one. I'd prefer Paul Stastny, who's signed through 2014, but that's just me. Might think about kicking the tires on Parise, if possible.

Excellent stuff here that needs to go on the front page. - Dirk

"You don't go to anyplace where the building is louder than our building-rooting for our team-anyplace."

So says Tom Cigarran, chairman of the Predators' ownership group.

And after Saturday's stirring 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues in raucous Bridgestone Arena, the Preds' Brian McGrattan tweeted: "best fans I have seen in 10 years of pro hockey at tonight's game! #predsfansrock"

Tomorrow evening FS TN (SD 28/HD 1675) will debut a documentary dedicated to Nashville's hockey community. It's titled Gold Record: 50 Years of Hockey History in Music City.

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Nashville Predators - 2012 Comeback Kids (via volainge09)

A recap of the 5 third period multi goal comebacks the Preds have pulled off in the 2011-2012 season.

11/05/11 - Predators 4 Sharks 3 OT
12/08/11 - Predators 4 Blue Jackets 3 OT
12/15/11 - Predators 3 Red Wings 2
12/22/11 - Predators 6 Blue Jackets 5
01/31/12 - Predators 5 Wild 4

This is my 4th fully edited lengthy Preds video. The first three all have over 1000 views and it says 'as seen on OnTheForecheck' beside the description (as added by YouTube). I'm down to make it 4 in a row :)

Jeremy Roenick posted on NHL.com about the Preds and I was glad to see us finally getting some deserved love. I have posted the link below. I looked for a way to contact him back via email but could not find it. If anyone finds something, let me know. I think us Preds fans should show that it does make a difference to us when someone else notices the Preds other then us.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blog.htm?id=223

So here's the question that I pose to you all. When (and I'm saying it's a matter of time, because everything seems to be leaning in the direction of a deal will be made) we make a deal for a "Top 6 Forward", who on our team will be scratched or potentially sent down to the minors?

I think this is a tough call and really one that I don't feel we necessarily need to make (I'm not sold that this team needs a Top 6 Forward but rather some beef in the defense) aside from to appease Suter. Nashville is 11th in offense, 2nd in pp and 9th in defense as of February 1st and as such, I feel pretty good about our team. Nevertheless, a trade seems to be imminent as of now to make that Stanley Cup push and to keep our free agents.

My opinion is that it will be Spaling, Yip, Bourque, Smith, or Halischuk, barring a player is packaged in the trade to another team clearing a spot for the new player. My gut is Bourque (to prevent his rookie status from being waved entirely and keeping an extra year on his contract) but what do I know. That's why I pose the question to you all. If we make a trade, who's scratched?

P.S. Sorry I accidentally deleted this post and had to create it again. The previous votes were for 4 Bourque - 1 Halischuk

Poll

If a trade is made, who will be scratched?

• Gabriel Bourque
• Jerred Smithson
• Nick Spaling
• Craig Smith
• Matt Halischuk
• Brandon Yip
• Other
• No trade will be made

  90 votes | Results

I'm taking in the Preds v. Blues game Saturday with my buddy (45) and my two sons (16 & 9) and I need to know a good place downtown to grab some good pub grub and a quality beer or two AND is also ok for the kids. I'm cool with a "Hooters" type atmosphere, but I'd like something more original. I see there's a Dick's Last Resort, but that place gives me the creeps too. When I used to go see the Thrasher we would go to ESPN Zone, so something like that is cool. Also, any suggestions on parking would be greatly appreciated.

There has been a lot of talk about Suter situation. From will he sign? What will it take to get him to sign? Why won't he sign? Who do we need to trade for to get him to sign? All this all-star break story is good but I am more concerned with the task at hand which is the February schedule. The Predators have had an outstanding month of January going 9-3 heading into the game tonight against Minnesota.

Starting tonight Nashville starts a difficult stretch of the schedule with twelve of the next fourteen games against top eight teams regardless of conference. Here's the schedule team and the playoff spot as of 31 January.

1/31 Minnesota 8th

2/2 Philadelphia 4th

2/4 St Louis 4th

2/7 Vancouver 3rd

2/9 Ottawa 4th

2/11 Boston 2nd

2/14 Chicago 6th

2/17 Detroit 1st

2/19 Dallas 10th

2/21 Vancouver 3rd

2/23 St Louis 4th

2/25 San Jose 3rd

2/27 LA Kings 7th

2/28 Carolina 15th

With parity being what is in the league there are no gimme games until the 28th against Carolina(just like Columbus is out of the playoffs for 2012). As Predator fans, I believe all of us dream of the day the Preds would be considered a top team by the league. With this schedule against division rivals and the best teams in both the Eastern and Western conference. Being considered league wide as a top team is a possibility.

The Predators are three points behind the division leader Detroit as the second half starts. As nice as it was to get out of the first round last year, there are no banners hanging the rafters stating this fact. There are no T-shirts, hats and other paraphenalia. The only way to get such paraphenalia is too win the division. Bring on the tough schedule and get on the road to winning the division. Then the NHL playoff marketing machine will again feature the Predators making history.

Poll

How many games do you think the Predators will win out of the next 14?

6%

12-2 Nashville shows the league who is their daddy!

2 votes

64%

10-4 Another ten wins in the books and owning the month.

20 votes

29%

7-7 Oh No, its October again.

9 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

Great stuff here, so I'm promoting this to the front page. - Dirk

Went to the practice today in hopes of getting some good shots. I was able to shoot from the empty team bench ad was really happy with what I got and wanted to share them with other Preds fans. Most interesting was what appeared to be McGrattan getting up in Linback's face. Not sure what that was all about. Also noticed that Weber was absent from the practice (Dirk: Weber, Suter & Smith all are travelling directly to Minnesota from the All-Star Game in Ottawa). Hope you enjoy and thanks for checking them out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erik_unger/sets/72157629106025947/