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Congratulations to Jeremy of Section 303, who appears to have dug up a scoop while covering the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. While interviewing David Poile about the job at hand this summer, the GM mentioned that the team has just re-signed center Cal O'Reilly to a new contract. As soon as the team releases the news, we should see the details on term, salary, etc. I'm glad to see Cal back for another season, as he's a bit of a rare commodity in the Predators organization; pretty much a pure offensive specialist, who I'd like to see get a prime opportunity on the power play this fall.
NOTE: There was a lot of interest in the banner we pointed out the other day at Titan Sports Management, the firm that's now representing Shea Weber, and the number of errors in the text. I spoke with them, and they explained that the picture that went live was a preliminary draft that was never intended for publication to their site, and they've since corrected it.
Now follow after the jump for your morning hockey news, which includes word of an NHL pre-season game taking place in Houston - at Reliant Stadium, where the Texans play!
The "Toast of Music City" balloting has opened for 2011, and I'd appreciate your vote for OTF as Best Blog in Nashville; just click the banner below to head over there, where you can vote daily (click the green button)!
Nashville Predators News
LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS: David Poile sits down with 303… | Section 303
Jeremy extracts the confession from the GM that he's re-signed Cal O'Reilly to a new contract, and touches on a number of other topics.
Preds On The Glass: A Proposal for Las Vegas to Be The NHL's 31st City (Not What you Would Expect)
Buddy has a bold idea here, one of the most novel I've seen in a long time.
Rinne Should Be Lock to Win NHL Award - Predlines
"A lock"? I understand being a fan and all, but come on, Tim Thomas had one of the great goaltending seasons of all time.
Draft Preview: Vladislav Namestnikov | PuckScene.com
How about a 2nd-generation Predator? That would be cool.
Predators organization gains national spotlight in Vegas - Inside Smashville
Amanda caught up with the Preds on the ground in Las Vegas.
Smashville 24/7: Preds get warranted recognition at Awards
...as did Ryan.
Preds On The Glass: Pekka Rinne Is Thrilled to Be at the NHL Awards Show (Video)
...and Buddy.
NHL awards: Preds finally get recognition - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
...and so did Scott Burnside.
Nashville Predators hope college students can stir up fan frenzy - Vanderbilt University
The Preds are getting some of Vandy's best & brightest (well, I hope they are, anyway) to help drum up business.
Notable Players Selected In Preds '11 Draft Slots - Nashville Predators
That's right, the Preds could pick the next Kevin Stevens with the #112 pick on Saturday. Or they could get the next Gary Roach. Check back in about 15 years.
Preds in review: Sergei Kostitsyn - Predators Insider
"There’s no reason to think that Kostitsyn can’t turn into a 60 point per year player. " Can't is the operative word here. I'd stick with "not likely", though.
Nashville Predators' Shea Weber steps up to NHL's elite level - The Tennessean
The Captain is pretty much entering the prime of his career so return trips to Vegas could be in the cards.
Around the NHL
Dallas Stars To Play Pre-Season Game At Reliant Stadium in Houston - Defending Big D
How cool is this? Hockey in Houston, in September.
Jagr rumored to be eyeing Pittsburgh for possible NHL return? | hockeygalmilwaukee
OK, this is about the weirdest piece of hockey-related merchandise I've ever seen. Trust me, you'll want to see this.
Two year deal for Habs Markov? - Habs Eyes On The Prize
This was no sure thing, given the serious injury troubles which have derailed Andrei Markov's last two seasons.
We’re not allowed to use the term "blindside" anymore - Houses of the Hockey
I wonder if we'll look back in future years with nostalgia for the old definition of "blindside hit".
Does Alex Semin Need an Elite Center to Succeed? - Japers' Rink
A deep think on Washington's enigmatic dandy.
Climbing the NHL Ladd-er, It Starts With Inking the Captain - Arctic Ice Hockey
Item #1 on the agenda in Winnipeg, signing Andrew Ladd to a new contract.
Bauer Vapor hockey stick feature comparison, from X15 to X60 | Hockey Gear HQ - news, reviews & discounts on hockey gear!
The Bauer Vapor hockey stick is designed with puck handling & passing in mind, but the various models vary widely in price & function. I've gathered those features together in one place for ease of comparison.