Smashville News:
Cashville: Pekka Rinne signs two-year extension with Predators | TheHockeyNews – I enjoyed this article! Praise for Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros, then praise for David Poile. All well deserved. (Note: the phrase “two-way” in the first paragraph should read “two year” I think.)
Breakdown: Predators sign Matt Donovan to a two-year contract | On the Forecheck – ICYMI: Eric takes a look at our latest signing…or re-signing.
Preds’ Grimaldi, NHL’s Shortest Player, Poses with Chara, NHL’s Tallest | NHL.com – What a great sense of humor this kid has! Read to the end for a nice chuckle.
Predators: Viktor Arvidsson put on injured reserve | Tennessean – I know that they say he could play Wednesday, but he didn’t skate on Monday so I wouldn’t count on it. Get well soon Viktor Arvidsson! (I’m sorry, but doesn’t Peter Laviolette in this picture have the same expression as the Bushwacker?)
Predators: Pekka Rinne contract brings good words from Josi, Ellis | Tennessean – ”Predators players had great things to say about Pekka Rinne’s contract extension.” More feel good words about our favorite goalie.
I know most have seen this, but I had to post it in honor of our dog Odie, who passed last year. Odie could hear the UPS truck blocks away and would start running around the house or fence line barking up a storm. (Not FedEx mind you, just UPS.) A couple of months before his death, he got by me at the door as the driver was getting back in the truck. Odie ran down the sidewalk, around the truck to the driver door and gave the driver a good barking out. He then trotted happily in the house, his life’s goal complete. There are all kinds of Cups, eh?
Central Division News:
There’s a new website tracking Mike Yeo’s status with the Blues | The Sports Daily – I just…..who didn’t know exactly what they would get with Mike Yeo?
Defense has been the Wild’s calling card to early success. | Hockey Wilderness – Well, well. An article on the Minnesota Wild’s great defense without a specific mention of you-know-who. Who’da thunk it?
The Blackhawks must get back to winning because the Central Division isn’t losing | Second City Hockey – It is true that the upper tier of the division is on a tear, but everyone can’t win guys.
Other Hockey News:
Examining the Duchene deal one year later | TSN.ca – Coulda, woulda, shoulda. What I find the most true is how quickly the Ottawa Senators went from “We’re all in for the Cup!” to “Rebuild!”. And maybe it’s just me – but I don’t see Matt Duchene wasting his prime in Ottawa no matter what Pierre Dorion says.
Slava Voynov will not make your team better | Russian Machine Never Breaks – As the author says, you don’t even need the statistics – just morals and ethics. But, I found it surprising that the statistics aren’t in his favor either.
NHL Power Rankings: Caps continue to struggle to gain momentum | NBC Sports Washington – Interesting they don’t mention coaching changes as potentially impacting the Washington Capitals finding their mojo this year.
Super Slow Mo: Week 4 | NHL.com – Hi Juuse Saros! Good save…..oops. Hi Viktor Arvidsson! Rats. Hi Ryan Hartman! That should be rated X. Poor goalies. Hi Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok! Sweet. Hi Mattias Ekholm and Kyle Turris! What a tip! WAIT! WHAT? Did I miss something? Where is the Ryan Johansen to Roman Josi goal? Who compiles these things? That’s three weeks in a row a superb Nashville Predators play has been missing.
Kopitar, Kings teammates take responsibility for Stevens firing | NHL.com – ”Anze Kopitar and his teammates took responsibility for the Los Angeles Kings firing coach John Stevens and pledged to play better for new coach Willie Desjardins.” What’s that saying about barn doors and horses?
Beyond Headlines: NHL labour peace? Dare to dream | Sportsnet – Some interesting items in here. Does anyone have a betting line on if a lockout will happen sooner than later? Apparently some of the goalie equipment manufacturers are better than others – or else some of the goalies bruise like I do. Welcome back Tyler Smith – now that’s a feel good story.