Nashville Predators News & Notes
Prove It: Three Nashville Predators Who Need Big Seasons | On the Forecheck
My personal addition to this list would be Matt Duchene, but I think Rachel did a great job and the folks in the comments section also raised some good possibilities.
Other News & Notes
Bulbul Kartanbay: Chasing a Dream | The Ice Garden
“A story about perseverance, the love of the game, and the pursuit of a dream.” That’s TIG’s summary of this, and it’s a good one–this is a fantastic story which I wish had a more triumphant, definite ending, and I wish luck and success to Kartanbay and other players in similar situations
The Gretzky Trade: A day that shook Edmonton’s sporting foundation | Sportsnet.ca
The amount of compartmentalizing Gretzky’s teammates are talking about here is kind of frightening. I get that it’s necessary in sports, but it seems like it would also be extremely difficult.
I do remember when Shea Weber first played against the Preds, Filip Forsberg tried to check him and couldn’t follow through, and that was less good for the team than what the Oilers did here, but seemed more human.
Stan Bowman’s big bet on Blackhawks’ core | ProHockeyTalk
Getting defenders after giving up on Henri Jokiharju is a start, but I don’t know how Blackhawks fans feel about a defense corps that includes Duncan Keith, the necromatically-puppeted remains of Brent Seabrook, and Olli Maatta, who has a genuinely alarming injury history and whose development suffered a lot as a result. Also, Calvin De Haan exists, I guess? Maybe the change of scenery will help him out.
Quebec court awards man $45,000 in Canadiens season tickets dispute | Sportsnet.ca
If any of our readers are considering divorcing a relative of the person who gets them their season ticket hookups…I’m being told I’m not allowed to offer legal advice. Anyway, this guy used to get his season tickets through his now-ex brother-in-law.
Avs’ rising expectations put Bednar under pressure | ProHockeyTalk
“Can he keep this young team (full of new faces) from stumbling?” Gee, I dunno, do we think Nathan MacKinnon is actually secretly just waiting for a chance to be bad at hockey, or…?
Board approves new Islanders arena project at Belmont Park | Sportsnet.ca
Will the new arena allow the visiting team access to their dressing room in the event of an in-period medical situation? I think the new arena should do that.
2019 Women’s Hockey Top 25 Under 25: The List | The Ice Garden
The Ice Garden is kicking off their Top 25 Under 25 list (OTF is going to be focusing separately on players and prospects this year, instead of blending them together).
Blue Jackets still have reasons for optimism after free agency exodus | ProHockeyTalk
I’m still annoyed they managed to snipe Gustav Nyquist, but he’s not the only thing they have going for them this offseason.
Senators’ Dorion talks team’s payroll, off-season moves and 2019-20 optimism | Sportsnet.ca
Spoiler: Pierre Dorion says that the Ottawa Senators having a payroll consisting of the change Eugene Melnyk found down the back of the sofa isn’t a concern at all, and is in fact pointing the team in the right direction because it gives them cap flexibility. Also, the season is going to be good because the coach is going to make the players play hard and will hold them accountable if they don’t. How about the cap space? Will the cap space play hard?