Thursday’s Dump & Chase: Weddings and Regression

Some good news and some bad news for the Predators — let’s get into it!

IN PHOTOS: Juuse Saros ties the knot with girlfriend Minna Varis

Finnish ice hockey goaltender Juuse Saros, tied the knot with his longtime fiancee, Minna Varis, on July 25, 2023.

Abhilasha AditiSportskeeda

The Nashville goaltender seemed quite happy to marry his long-time fiancée on July 25; congratulations to the couple!

Recapping the Predators’ 2023 Offseason Moves

It’s been a busy summer in SMASHVILLE, as new General Manager Barry Trotz and his staff have spent the last several weeks stockpiling talent through trades, free agency, the NHL Draft and more.

NHL.com

Quick overview of the busy 2023 offseason for the Predators, including trades, buyouts, free agency, and the draft.

5 NHL Teams Destined to Be Worse Next Season

Every year there are always a handful of NHL teams that exceed expectations and end up being better than anybody thought. But if somebody is getting better,…

Adam GretzBleacher Report

“Nashville has been a team that has needed everything to go their way and fall perfectly into place just to have a chance to be a fringe playoff team or just barely miss. That is this current group’s best ceiling.

There might be a strong plan and vision in place. But this team is a long way from seriously competing. If it even manages to hang around in the Western Conference playoff race this season, it should be considered a success.”

Bergeron retires from NHL after 19 seasons with Bruins

Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday.

NHL.com

The NHL is going to be a very strange place without Bergeron.

Bergeron: Wanted to retire ‘on top of my game’

Patrice Bergeron, who announced his retirement Tuesday, said he’ll enjoy being “the Uber driver for the family for a little bit and just relax” following a 20-year NHL career.

ESPN draft expertsESPN

His reasoning makes sense, though. Best of luck to him in his post-NHL career.

Wirtz, Blackhawks owner, dies at 70

W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz, principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, died Tuesday. He was 70 years old.

NHL.com

Chicago would have had a very different team without Rocky Wirtz.

Report: Logan Cooley may change mind, skip school and sign with Coyotes after all

Logan Cooley, the Arizona Coyotes’ third-overall pick from 2022, is having second thoughts about going back to school, according to a report by Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.

| July 26, 2023, 2:11 PMSportsnet

The Coyotes’ continuing arena struggles may be impacting the team.

Canes’ Aho gifted $78M extension on birthday

On his 26th birthday, Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho signed an eight-year, $78 million extension.

ESPN draft expertsESPN

Heck of a birthday present.

Murray to be placed on long-term injured reserve by Maple Leafs

Matt Murray is out indefinitely and will placed on long-term injured reserve by the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the start of the season.

NHL.com

Matt Murray has had a very rough few years.

Big trades or big signings: These NHLers are worth keeping an eye on in the summer

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is basically a week away and here we are, still wondering what might happen with some major pieces during the NHL off-season.

| July 24, 2023, 12:39 PMSportsnet

And the offseason goes on…