While the focus of the Entry Draft is typically on the young hockey players living the dream of getting selected by an NHL team, it also tends to be one of the busiest times for trades, and this year was no exception. Offensive threats seemed to be the currency of choice this time, with lots of skilled defensemen being dealt, and even a talented winger or two in Devin Setoguchi and (the as-yet unrealized potential of) Nikita Filatov.
So… did the Predators miss an opportunity to add some scoring punch by not jumping in on the wheeling and dealing? Is there hope that something can be found via free agency, or shall the team rely on the development of players like Sergei Kostitsyn and Colin Wilson to bolster the attack up front in 2011-12?
That my friends, is the question of the day…
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Nashville Predators News
Preds target Muller for AHL coaching position – sportsnet.ca
Wow, this is big-time. Kirk Muller is a well-respected former player and assistant coach with Montreal, and appears to be headed to Milwaukee to run the Admirals’ bench.
Preds On The Glass: Magnus Hellberg Speaks After His Selection By The Nashville Predators
First up, Buddy shares video of the Preds’ latest gigantic Swedish goatlender.
Preds On The Glass: Miikka Salomaki Speaks Shortly After Being Selected by the Nashville Predators
Buddy also shot video as Nashville’s 2nd-round pick spoke with the media.
Preds On The Glass: Nashville Predators GM David Poile Speaks at the end of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Video)
And more video, at the end of the day with a happy David Poile.
2010-11 Wrap-Up: Of Blings and Strings (Part 2/2) | Pull My (Fang)Finger
AJ isn’t too wild about the new jerseys…
Smashville 24/7: 2011-12 schedule observations
Ryan breaks down the upcoming Preds schedule.
Around the NHL
Bourne Blog: The drafted vs. undrafted debate for NHL – Puck Daddy
Interesting stuff here, which I assume will only increase due to the number of teams creating the position of Hockey Development Director where a guy (in Nashville’s case, Martin Gelinas) roves around and keeps an eye on the team’s prospects.
The Trades – CanucksCorner.com
A fine read on what the weekend’s major trades mean for the league by Tom Benjamin.
Saturday’s Daily Dosage – Burns, Campbell, Liles… – Fantasy Hockey Scouts
Offensive D-man were getting shipped all around the league this weekend, so Cam looks at the fantasy hockey implications.
Smyth’s return to Edmonton held up by health of Brule – TSN
Significant stumbling blocks remain on the road to a tearful reunion.
Nikita Filatov Traded to Ottawa for 66th Overall Pick – The Cannon
What a bust… but a nice opportunity for Ottawa to pick up a lottery ticket off the sidewalk here.
Breaking: Alex Tanguay Re-signed for 5 years at $17M – Matchsticks and Gasoline
It’s not often that a guy at this stage of his career doubles his salary and gets longer term to boot.
Not So Deep Thoughts, by Hack Jandy – Second City Hockey
The Blackhawks, constrained by the salary cap last season, have new-found flexibility thanks to the Brian Campbell trade.
NHL Entry Draft Analysis – TheGoalieGuild
This review of the goalies pick heaps a lot of praise on Magnus Hellberg.
Canes Now – Rutherford discusses salary-cap pinch
I can see how the Hurricanes are having difficulty with the rising salary level across the league, but only if they have trouble hitting their targets for revenue sharing. At least they’re trying to spend prudently (unlike Columbus).
The Hockey News: NHL contracts, salary cap will lead to CBA issues in 2012
Somebody needs to take away Ken Campbell’s keyboard. The guy seems to have no grasp of how the CBA works. The players do not “take more every year”, they get a fixed share of league-wide hockey related revenues, and to claim that “you have as big, perhaps even bigger, chasm between the haves and have notes of the NHL” compared to the pre-lockout era is absurd.
Next CBA demands creativity – NYPOST.com
Larry Brooks plays the role of Cassandra regarding the upcoming CBA negotiations.
Brian Campbell Ready to Get Things Started with Florida Panthers … Now with More Dale Tallon and Mike Santos – On Frozen Pond
Campbell will definitely help in Florida, even if his contract is absurd.
Objective NHL: How often does the Best Team Win?
Good stuff here for the mathematically inclined.
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Using this special offer code will give you an extra 15% off already-discounted Warrior and UnderArmour items found at Hockey Monkey. Even if you don’t play hockey, the UnderArmour selection is pretty impressive.
Where lies the best chance for Nashville to add some offense?
| Development of young players | 83 |
| Free agency | 69 |
| Trades | 154 |