Smashville News:
Why the 24 team playoff could be the NHL’s toughest tourney yet | A to Z Sports
“The NHL’s 24 team playoff is going to be the toughest challenge in the history of the league, especially if a team like the Nashville Predators wins it all.” Alex has some definite thoughts about how the playoff format will challenge teams—including the Predators. Do you agree?
Why does Filip Forsberg wear the number nine? More interestingly, why doesn’t he wear his long time number twenty-one?
Why does Fil wear #9?
Find out ⬇️#Preds | @TwiceDailyFresh pic.twitter.com/5KvQelNr0W
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 23, 2020
Rocco Grimaldi shares his first NHL goal. Guess who he scored on!?!?!?!
.@RGrimaldi23 looks back on his first NHL goal. #Preds | @adidas pic.twitter.com/pRSXU7Js99
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 24, 2020
As the pups are practicing social distancing, we go back in the archives for this picture. MOAR pups!
Central Division News:
Chicago Blackhawks face the Oilers in NHL’s 24-team playoff | Chicago Tribune
I would have rather had fewer than 24 teams, but the NHL will never leave TV revenue on the table if they have a choice. Go Edmonton Oilers!
Souhan: Fans should enjoy any Wild playoff run even if sportstuff will be missing | StarTribune.com
“The NHL is trying to thread a needle with nautical rope. And the rest of the major sports will do the same.” Many interesting questions here. ICYMI, the US Department of Homeland Security has said that the closed borders will not apply to athletes rejoining their leagues. But will they still be able to spit?
Biggest NHL draft steals: Central Division | theScore.com
No surprise for the Predators, but some of the others are interesting.
Biggest NHL draft busts: Central Division | theScore.com
The companion piece. Since I don’t know much about Brian Finley or the three “could have hads” I’m not sure how good of a choice this is. Thoughts?
Other Hockey News:
In today’s tl;dr, here is the link to the Phase 2 protocols. There’s a lot to unpack here.
DeBoer says Golden Knights best team he’s coached | NHL.com
That *snaps* for you Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Erik Karlsson, Logan Couture, etc, etc.
Isolating away from family a ‘hot topic’ as NHL plots return | AP News
It’s a tough decision….maybe it helps everyone understand what our front line healthcare workers are going through.
Evander Kane, Myles Douglas discuss how racism affects hockey culture | TSN.ca
Now can we get some Caucasian players to say something? Or have so many participated that they don’t want to disclose that? Stand up for your teammates!
Requiem for a fallen college hockey program | TheHockeyNews
“Alabama-Huntsville isn’t the first school to lose men’s hockey: Illinois-Chicago, Findlay and Saint Louis are just a few of the shuttered programs of the past. But it’s always a little sad when we lose a team in this sport, no matter the reason.”
Laine says wispy playoff beard ‘didn’t look good’, won’t be back | NHL.com
Hallelujah! Although, hopefully it won’t be much of an issue this year.