Smashville News:
Three cheap free agents to help rebuild the Nashville Predators | A to Z Sports
First, can we all please stop trying to destroy the only line the team has that has shown it can be elite? Also, I’d like to see them get a little more strength and jam. They play too soft. Lastly, I have not yet conceded that Craig Smith will leave.
Trading Up: How the Preds Made Sure They Got Roman Josi in the 2008 Draft | NHL.com
“The Predators didn’t know they had a future Norris Trophy winner when they called Roman Josi’s name more than a decade ago, but they were pretty sure they had at least added someone special to their defense corps.” Boy, did they ever!
2020 NHL Entry Draft Final Ranking | On the Forecheck
Let’s all watch and see how close Eric’s picks come to the actual selections. I’ll make the popcorn!
Preds, Tennessee Lottery Partnership Provides Game-Changing Fun | NHL.com
Did I miss these announcements in years past or is this some way to give key sponsors some love so they stay on board?
Pekka Rinne and his (in his words) “baby mama” called in to congratulate Roman Josi on his Norris win.
Pekka + Jos = 💛 pic.twitter.com/OSONiLFgtM
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) September 28, 2020
Central Division News:
How Corey Perry has become a ‘pain in the butt’ playoff hero for the Dallas Stars | ESPN
Some love for Corey Perry. You maybe should keep a waste basket close, just in case.
Chicago Blackhawks Trade Dylan Sikura | ProHockey Rumors
“Pirri meanwhile is a much more proven NHL commodity, though he comes with warts of his own.” So Chicago is trading young warts for older, familiar warts?
Former Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien unlikely to play in NHL again | Sportsnet.ca
This is hardly a surprise, yet “Big Buff” should have gone out with more of a bang than a whimper.
Other Hockey News:
NHL statement on COVID-19 testing results | NHL.com
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do that.
NHL doesn’t expect bubble experience for full 2020-21 season | Arizona Sports
Something tells me the players will vet the promises a tad closer this round.
Hockey Needs Viewers. It Should Not Glorify Pain and Violence to Get Them. | The New York Times
Today’s long read. I was totally prepared to be annoyed with this piece, thinking all the writer would see in hockey is the violence. That is not the case and the author makes some good points.
Countdown to Off-Season: Buffalo Sabres F Jack Eichel’s agent responds to trade rumours | TSN.ca
Personally, I think Bob McKenzie was bored in semi-retirement and decided to fire up a twitter storm. Lots of interesting news in this piece.
NHL Playoff All-Star Teams: Best Players By Country | The Hockey News
Welp. As you might expect, these teams are not overflowing with Nashville Predators. Roman Josi got an honorable mention. The closest we came after that was Kevin Fiala.
Is Disney Working on a Hockey Movie with James Corden? | Inside the Magic
This would be so cool! However, I won’t hold my breath as I am still waiting for the John Scott All-Star Game movie that was announced.