The trade chatter certainly has been building over the last several days, but what happened yesterday afternoon shocked pretty much everyone, I think. The Philadelphia Flyers performed major surgery on their roster, trading away two top forwards and inking goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a long-term, high-dollar contract.
It was a bold gambit by Philly GM Paul Holmgren, as these moves have the potential of scrapping a top Eastern Conference contender, while the upside is limited. From a Nashville Predators perspective, the main question will be the impact on Columbus and Los Angeles - has the West gotten even tougher in the last 24 hours?
While you consider that question and peruse this morning's hockey notes, listen in as Predators' play-by-play man Pete Weber, joined NHL Radio to put a wrapper on the season:
Pete Weber on HTM 20110623 (mp3)
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Nashville Predators News
Paul McCann - Thursday Notes with preseason home games update
Paul shares his thoughts on last night and the upcoming schedule.
Gut Rumblings - Ready or Not here come the new Preds Jersey
BigBenPreds sounds off on the new threads.
The South That Roared - Uni Watch
The Preds' logo change led off Uni-Watch's morning roundup.
With no 1st round pick for Preds, who are some names to keep an eye on? | Section 303
6 guys who might get the call from David Poile this weekend.
Hockey Night in Nashville: NHL Draft Preview: Preds Edition
Robby has his eye on a couple prospects in particular.
Predators Draft preview: Making the case for Philippe Hudon
Amanda highlights a power forward from Quebec.
Mike Fisher Was An Early Christmas Present - Predlines
If we don't see the Preds make a 1st-round pick tonight, just flip over and watch some Mike Fisher highlights, that should cheer you up.
TheSpec - Success follows Ellis around
Ryan Ellis is gearing up for his first full professional season, and seems more than ready for the transition.
Tampering Week: Shea Weber - Blackhawk Up
At least they admit they're dreaming.
Nashville Predators can find help on offense in NHL Draft - The Tennessean
Don't go nuts if they take a defenseman at #38, though. Remember, whoever they draft is at least 3-5 years from coming to Nashville.
The big winner for Nashville - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper assesses the impact of last night's Awards show on future contract negotiations.
Poile, Predators hope to make patience pay off in NHL draft | Nashville City Paper
Will he make a trade to get back into the 1st round, or won't he? That's the question of the day.
Around the NHL
The Dark Blue Jacket: The Closer strikes: Welcome, Jeff Carter!
They're giddy in Columbus, but considering the way Columbus management has complained about losing so much money lately, I wonder how they'll be able to afford their shiny new toy.
Full Circle: Flyers Sign Ilya Bryzgalov to 9-year, $51 Million Contract - Broad Street Hockey
The cap hit here ends up not too bad ($5.66 million), but the term? Madness.
Brophy on Flyers: Culture shock - sportsnet.ca
There have been rumors of turmoil in the Philadelphia locker room for a long time, and yesterday's moves may well have been designed to shake that up.
Catch Your Breath - Richards, Carter Out; Bryzgalov, Voracek, Schenn, Simmonds In - Broad Street Hockey
Panic time in Philly?
Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds traded to Flyers - Jewels From The Crown
L.A. landed Philly's captain, but gave up a popular plugger and an enticing prospect.
Murray talks about Richards trade " LA Kings Insider
It cost them, but L.A. added one heck of a two-way center.
Habs sign Markov for three years - Montreal Gazette
The Canadiens lock up their top-flight, but brittle, defenseman.
Sharks and Devin Setoguchi agree to three-year, $9 million deal | Working the Corners
I know some folks were really interested in him as a possibility on the wing for Nashville, but forget it now.
Winnipeg's NHL team to name Noel head coach - TSN
Former Milwaukee Admirals head coach Claude Noel takes over in Winnipeg.
Wild will need clout to switch divisions - TwinCities.com
Is there a chance Minnesota might get back into a division with traditional rivals like Chicago and Detroit?