Smashville News:
First off, I am sure there is an incredible recap of last night’s tilt to the right or below this D&C. Please read the insightful analysis!
Three reasons why the Nashville Predators will survive this injury crisis | AtoZ Sports – Alex checking in with sunshine and rainbows to help you through your injury panic.
American Preds Know Poile is Worthy of U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Honor | NHL.com – Interesting commentary on the non-NHL side of David Poile’s career. Oh and I tried to communicate to Brooks that the sentence “And those accolades don’t even begin to make light of what the NHL’s all-time winningest GM has done for the sport in the southeast, particularly Nashville.” probably didn’t convey his meaning, but he must have missed it in his plethora of other tweets.
The Week That Was: Week 8 | On the Forecheck – Everything you need to know about the Nashville Predators’ last week. Let’s hope we just put that one behind us.
The Johansen-Bell household was all over the holiday decorating the last week. Our boys look a little tuckered out!
Central Division News:
Hawks lose 3-2 as Flames take advantage of Kunitz penalty | Daily Herald – Rinse and repeat as the Chicago Blackhawks had a player ejected on Sunday night too. Predators power play take note that the Calgary flames scored twice on the five minute major. I bet they didn’t pass 87 times and I bet their half-wall guy at least looked at the net.
The Blues need to act fast if they have any intention of saving this season | TheHockeyNews – So, to save the season either trade some defense for more offense, trade offense for better defense or trade one or both for better goal minders. Hmmm, that seems to indicate a whole lot of issues for what was, on paper, supposed to be a Stanley Cup Contender.
Coyotes to Houston speculated on ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ | HoustonChronicle.com – First, how is Houston in any way “hockey deprived”. That’s like saying Memphis or Knoxville is hockey deprived. Second, is the NHL ready to let the team leave Arizona now that the Golden Knights have become established?
Other Hockey News:
Flyers hire Chuck Fletcher as general manager, report says | Sporting News – That was fast. Another move in the NHL GM shuffle.
Hurricanes embrace fun, victory celebrations, hope rebuild soon pays off | NHL.com – Sunday’s long read with a look at the Carolina Hurricanes efforts to get people in the seats. Having lived in Raleigh for a decade, I agree that you need to provide fun along with the hockey. There are way too many college venues competing for the sports-entertainment dollar. (I loved the domino fall. Don’t @ me.)
Housley’s communication skills key to turnaround by Sabres | NHL.com – ”Communication is the crucial element that has helped Phil Housley transition from a Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman to the coach of the surging Buffalo Sabres.” Seems like Phil Housley may have learned a thing or two from his time with Peter Laviolette. Much deserved praise for the ex-Nashville assistant coach.
LA Kings Claim Brendan Leipsic Off Waivers from Vancouver Canucks | NHL.com – The Nashville Predators 2012 third round pick is about to play his 82nd NHL game for his fourth team.
Super Slow Mo: Week 8 | NHL.com – OK, here we go – don’t let the troll scare you when you pull this up! There are the Pittsburgh Penguins stealing our Gold again. Goalie save X1!! X2!! Troll Alert. X3!! Pekka Rinne wowser! Waiting….waiting…Stop wearing our Gold Pittsburgh! Hi Kevin Fiala! Nice tip. Well….hmmm…As Saturdays aren’t always included, I’d have to agree with the lack of Nashville highlights last week.
Nathan Walker brought his giant teddy bear to Teddy Bear Toss Night and tossed it himself | Russian Machine Never Breaks – The Hershey Bears set a record Sunday with 34,798 bears tossed after their first goal. (Is that like three per seat?) Their Australian, Nathan Walker, even went into the back to bring out his oversize Costco bear to through himself. Good on ya!