Lightning Round:
It’s a busy weekend in Smashville. The SECHC has started, the NWHL All-Star Weekend starts today (catch up on the league and players), and the Black Hockey History Tour is coming to town. Plus, you know, two regular old NHL games, both matinees, the home game to raise awareness for AMEND Together.
Nashville Predators News & Notes:
Truth By Numbers: Has Thomas Chabot adequately replaced Erik Karlsson? | Sportsnet
It says “Thomas Chabot” in the headline, but the first section is a neat look at the fantastic season Viktor Arvidsson has been having, and whether his production is likely sustainable.
Also you can keep reading to learn more about some other guys, I guess.
NWHL All-Star Goaltender Katie Burt Practices with Preds | NHL.com
I love how enthusiastic the Preds have been about NWHL All-Star Weekend, from Chris Mason’s discussion with and of Shannon Szabados on Thursday night’s broadcast to Roman Josi and Pekka Rinne’s quotes here, to the welcome signage in the airport.
Fun fact: the plan was always for Burt to join the Preds for practice, but apparently not for her to stay in net for as long as she did—she got to stay in for shooting drills on pure merit. So cool.
Central Division News & Notes:
Bruce Boudreau says some Wild players are ‘a shell’ of themselves | Sportsnet
That sounds bad.
On the other hand, they did just lose to the Edmonton Oilers.
The Blues are getting fans’ hopes up again | St. Louis Game Time
Don’t look now, but the bottom has fallen so far out of the Western Conference that the Blues are back in it. Well, at least—
Blackhawks playoff tracker: 2 points out of wild-card spot with 27 games to go | Chicago Tribune
—never mind.
Other News & Notes:
Blue Jackets’ Panarin breaks silence on free agency, potential trade | Sportsnet
All eyes remain trained towards Columbus, where elite rental Artemi Panarin has told reporters that he doesn’t know where he wants to play next. Panarin also switched agents and is now sharing one with teammate Sergei Bobrovsky; he says they’re not planning on going anywhere as a package deal, but sharing an agent would certainly simplify things if he changes his mind.
The Buzzer: Mrazek shutout spoils Rangers’ 25th Stanley Cup Anniversary | ProHockeyTalk
The Carolina Hurricanes are fun this year.
Auston Matthews’ new contract could be a step toward a better NHL | Raw Charge
It’s only a little about the Maple Leafs, I promise. Mostly it’s about the NHL’s contract setup, the effects of the CBA on player earnings, and how to not become MLB.
Well, how not to become the bad part of MLB. Being America’s pastime would be pretty cool.
A look inside the ‘gaudy, loud’ Mascot Hall of Fame. How the heck did it land in an Indiana city about 25 minutes south of Chicago? | Chicago Tribune
Once I got past the existence of a mascot hall of fame, I’m not sure if this is more cool or more terrifying. It’s an interactive museum, which is usually very cool, but this particular one sounds…unsettling. Weigh in in the comments!
Coyotes Introduce Street Hockey PE Curriculum For Use in Valley Schools | NHL.com
Old news, but I’m bringing it back because of this tweet from yesterday:
We believe that everyone should have a chance to play hockey.
Our PE street hockey program is officially in 40 school districts throughout Maricopa and Pima county for a total of 301 schools. 🏒#GrowTheGameAZ | #CoyotesGiveBack pic.twitter.com/sheo3l1f5a
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 8, 2019
300 schools! Going south of Maricopa County (where the Coyotes are based) to Pima County to reach Tucson, the second-largest city in Arizona, and surrounds!