Smashville News:
On the main page, there surely is a game recap to the right of this D&C. If you have not already, please read the excellent coverage. (I will be submitting this before puck drop.)
Predators: Mattias Ekholm goes from penalty box to game-winning scorer | Tennessean – Mattias Ekholm throws additional shade on the performance art in the Colorado game.
The Week That Was: Week 5 | On the Forecheck – ”The annual CMA Awards road trip kicks off with a bang and continues through a good old-fashioned wild west shootout in Texas.” All the things to know about the Nashville Predators’ week five.
Weekly Edge: Mattias Ekholm’s value surging for the Nashville Predators | AtoZsports – ”The Nashville Predators are getting some incredible value out of Mattias Ekholm. Plus, is the Preds-Ducks rivalry still what it once was?” Alex checking in with his version of the week that was.
Here’s our boy, pining for his dad. (Or maybe his mom is projecting….)
Central Division News:
Opinion: Blackhawks Stuck in Nearly-Impossible Situation as Losses Mount | NBC Chicago – Strangely, I can find not a drop of sympathy. This is all of their own creation and Stan Bowman has done nothing but throw gas on the fire for at least the last three years.
Wild’s depth proving to be their secret ingredient | Grand Forks Herald – They may indeed be a playoff team, but can Bruce Boudreau get them out of the first round?
Blues prospect Luke Opilka retires from hockey | stltoday.com – This is very sad. Good luck to him in the future. What a trooper to go through four hip surgeries to try to achieve his dream.
Other Hockey News:
NHL, retired players reach $19M concussions settlement | APNews – No. Just no. $22,000 per player with some medical testing by NHL/NHLPA doctors and no former players covered. Huge win for the owners and the business, but not for the players. Will enough of them refuse this to annul the deal?
O’Ree’s bravery helped make him Hall of Famer, former NHL executive says | NHL.com – My favorite of the 2018 class. I love that he continues to be an inspiration to those who don’t have the automatic “ins” to hockey.
Carter Hutton a ‘calming’ presence for upstart Sabres in another wild win | The Buffalo News – It seems our old friend Carter Hutton is finding his groove in Buffalo. We’re rooting for you Hutts!
Super Slow Mo: Week 5 | NHL.com – Okay goalies get ready for the humiliation. Waiting…..Hi Colton Sissions! Sweet shot. Hey a goalie save! Waiting….waiting…Okay I watched this twice and it seems they are a few beautiful Predators plays short. Fix this next week or I’m done with you!
World Cup in 2020 being discussed by NHL, NHLPA | NHL.com – While I understand the NHL wants “labor certainty”, I don’t think the World Cup of Hockey is covered in the CBA or current contracts. So, the players could do this even if the CBA is opened and a lockout happens. Is that right?
As the NHL gets younger, vets note Fortnite, other video games encroaching on team bonding | Washington Post – I don’t know. I see the point in going out to dinner or an activity on an off day. But, I can’t be a hypocrite. On a business trip, I always preferred my room and a good book or movie over a night out with people I had just spent all day with.