Wednesday’s Dump & Chase: Stay Hungry

Hockey News & Rants

NHL -- Nashville Predators, Atlanta Gladiators pull out red carpet for young fan from Northern Ireland | ESPN
The hockey community never ceases to amaze me. The lengths they’ll go to, to help people reach their dreams is incredible.

Predators hopeful P.K. Subban returns soon from injured reserve| The Tennessean
Get well soon P.K.

Seriously...the defense needs you.

Predators: Kevin Fiala still working on regaining confidence | The Tennessean
I’m at a loss when it comes to Kevin Fiala. He’s like a baby giraffe that just can’t stay on his feet for more than a few minutes at a time. Eventually he’s going to have to find some consistency and run with it or his career in the NHL may be a short one.

Maybe a change of pace is all he needs. A player can be great but if the team doesn’t fit, it’s not going to work. Look at Pontus Aberg. Being traded was probably the best thing to happen to his career.

NHL - Injury panic index - ranking the teams most devastated by health issues in 2018-19 | ESPN
Ouch. While I’m glad the Predators are no where near the top of this list, I’d prefer if they weren’t on it at all.

The team can probably manage without Arvi for a little while, but can someone donate a thumb, I miss watching him play.

NHL: Mike Yeo fired as head coach of St. Louis Blues | USA Today
“About time, took you long enough” - The entire hockey world 10 seconds after the announcement, probably.

NHL Rumor Roundup: Is Jimmy Howard the answer to Flames goaltending struggles? | NHL | Sporting News
I think the only answer to the Flames struggles is to not be the Flames.

I still think The Flames is the worst team name of all time for any sport. Don’t @ me.

NHL - Young player who fought Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty is the best player in the world of the week | ESPN
From now on I think every time a guy gets a fighting penalty he has to be carried to the box by Gritty as additional punishment. Also because it would be hilarious!

NHL coaches dropping like flies as struggling teams search for answers | CBC Sports
I’m still surprised Joel Quenneville is unemployed. Of all the coaches to be fired so far this season, I still believe he’s the only one that didn’t deserve it.

Although, a change of scenery might be just as good for the coaches as it is for the players. Unless you’re Mike Yeo, maybe just retire.

Unlikely Team Leading Decline in NHL Fights | Valley News
It’s because they’re all scared to death of having Gritty carry them to the penalty box isn’t it?

PHT Power Rankings: NHL’s most impactful offseason additions so far | NBC Sports
Let’s check in on some old friends...

“Carter Hutton - Buffalo Sabres — ...they mainly just needed him to be competent and give them a chance to win on most nights. He has done that.”

Uhhh...is that a compliment?

“James Neal - Calgary Flames — Just a total non-factor in every area for the Flames so far. Hopefully for the Flames it is just a poorly time slump at the start of a new contract because they are paying too much money over too many years for this level of production.”

His team lost in the Stanley Cup Final back to back seasons and then he ended up in Calgary playing for a team called the Flames wearing a jersey that might as well have Hot Wheels on the front of it. I think I’d be in a slump too.

The heel will return...they always return.