Nashville Predators News
This season is a critical one for Filip Forsberg and the Preds | On the Forecheck
Nick – fellow OTF writer and new co-host of Locked on Predators – breaks down the importance of this coming season for one of Nashville’s remaining stars, Filip Forsberg. Slow starts and injuries have often put the breaks on a 40 goal season, but as Nick explains, both Forsberg and the organization are both preparing for Forsberg’s free agency next summer.
Bridgestone Arena Partners with CLEAR Health Pass for Easy Vaccine Proof | Predators.com
Yesterday, officials with Bridestone Arena and the Nashville Predators unveiled their partnership with CLEAR Health Pass for quick and efficient entry into Predators games (and other Bridgestone Arena events) by having a record of vaccination status or negative test. I was at that media session and will have a breakdown of what you need to know this season for home games later this week.
Predators season preview: Saros’ growth a must for playoff return | NHL.com
Robby Stanley previews the upcoming Nashville Predators season. How will Saros, Tolvanen, Tomasino and new Predator Cody Glass respond to being the future core of the franchise?
Quick analysis: @BryanBastin on the polar opposite games by Tanner Jeannot and Ben Harpur:
Some notes via @IneffectiveMath for the #Preds first game yesterday:
Hell of an effort from Jeannot (more later) and Jeremy Davies – both created shot attempts for Nashville, while suppressing them on defense pic.twitter.com/tAaG5ueChO
— Bryan Bastin (@BryanBastin) September 28, 2021
The continued existence of Ben Harpur and him getting minutes just … Baffles me.
Out of 14 unblocked shot attempts by Florida with Harpur on the ice, ELEVEN were on goal. Woof pic.twitter.com/NF6Z88PNUm
— Bryan Bastin (@BryanBastin) September 28, 2021
Around the NHL
How defencemen transitioned the puck in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs | EP Rinkside
Dimitri Filipovic from EP Rinkside takes a look at how effectively defencemen transitioned the puck out of their own zone this past postseason. Using hand-tracked data and a lot of film study, see how the defensemen in last season’s playoffs moved the puck. Included is one of those graphs that make you go “Roman Josi is in a class of his own”
Greig suspended two games for Senators | NHL.com
Ottawa’s Ridley Greig will be suspended for one preseason and one regular season contest to open the 2021-22 NHL season. Greig was given a major for a nasty cross-check on new Winnipeg Jet Pierre-Luc Dubois. DOPS spun the wheel of punishment and it’s two game this time.
Lundqvist to have No. 30 retired by Rangers on Jan. 28 | NHL.com
On a completely unrelated note, summer wedding season has given way to “Retiring Franchise Legend Goaltenders” season. If we need to wait for the 35 foot tall statue to be built, I guess I understand.
Blackwood undecided on COVID-19 vaccination for Devils | NHL.com
What is there to say that hasn’t been shouted into a void before? Blackwood is free to decide, but he doesn’t get to decide the fate of his teammates, who are protecting themselves AND others. I think the league’s COVID restrictions for unvaccinated players will eventually prove to be a hassle and some players will jump on board. I hope?
McIlrath suspended four games for Capitals | NHL.com
The pre-season has just started, but that doesn’t mean there’s a line of players willing to take dumb penalties and win dumb prizes. Capitals forward Dylan McIlrath was suspended today for two pre-season and two regular-season games.
Tweet of the Day
New Jersey Devils prospect Nikita Popugaev is calling it quits playing hockey to focus on being a social media influencer. I mean, social media can be a toxic environment for anyone – then again, so can New Jersey (I kid, I kid – it was nice last time I went).
New Jersey Devils prospect Nikita Popugaev has announced his retirement at age 22 to pursue a career as a social media influencer. pic.twitter.com/uW1svZJqfd
— Mike Gould (@miketgould) September 27, 2021