The first on-ice day of the 2013 Nashville Predators Training Camp was more eventful than usual, with the team having to change venues at a moment’s notice, the first player going down to injury, and a promising update on Pekka Rinne.
Last-Minute Switch to the Bridge
Due to an equipment issue at Centennial Sportsplex, today’s practices were moved over to Bridgestone Arena on the fly. As of right now, the plan is to pick up Friday back at Centennial, so consult the Training Camp Schedule to see which teams will be on the ice at any given time.
Hellberg Hurt, York Called In
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg, who is expected to be the #1 guy in Milwaukee to start the season, was one of the first guys on the ice this morning, but also turned into the first casualty:
With G Magnus Hellberg out with a lower-body injury, the Predators are bringing in former RPI Engineer Allen York. Should be here tomorrow.
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) September 12, 2013
Barring a veteran free agent being signed, this would appear to further bolster Carter Hutton’s role as Pekka Rinne’s backup for the present time.
And speaking of Peks, Josh Cooper brings the most welcome news of all:
Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said he “didn’t have to hold back” on Thursday in his first team practice since undergoing hip surgery May 9.
An energetic Rinne also said that the range of motion in his hip “has been a lot better than ever before” following a 90-minute practice at Bridgestone Arena…
— Josh Cooper, The Tennessean
There are a lot of questions surrounding this edition of the Nashville Predators, but by far the most important is whether or not Rinne will be at 100% when the season opens October 3rd at St. Louis.
Also of interest, Cooper spoke with David Poile about that Calgary Flames talk from last week, so make sure to check that out.
New Motto Unveiled
We’ve heard much this summer about getting back to “Predator Hockey”, particularly in light of the free agent signings of Matt Hendricks and Eric Nystrom, and that theme continued today as the team’s manager of hockey communications shared the following:
The @PredsNHL team slogan being put up on the doors. pic.twitter.com/pbU8nIxmly
— KWilsonPreds (@KWilsonPreds) September 12, 2013
One Confident Cat
The bottom line from the first day of camp? One expert observer sounds pretty optimistic:
I know we are just 20 minutes into training camp but I am pretty sure these guys are going to win the Stanley Cup.
— Gnash (@Gnash00) September 12, 2013