For Nashville Predators fans amped up after back-to-back road wins to open the season, this is looking like the longest week ever, waiting for the home opener tomorrow night. To keep your hockey mind occupied until then, we’ve got the usual treasure trove of NHL news for you, including some pictures from last night’s Meet The Team party, more divisional re-alignment talk, and speculation that Jim Balsillie’s pursuit of an NHL team may have played a role in the troubles his Research In Motion is going through right now…
Nashville Predators News
Paul McCann – UAH – What’s The Holdup?
Paul updates us on the campaign to save hockey at Alabama-Huntsville.
The View from 111: Meet the Predators 2011
Mark shares some pictures from last night’s Meet the Team event.
Hockey Night in Nashville: Which major American professional sport has the most parity?
Is there an appreciable difference in parity between the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB?
Smashville 24/7: Bergfors hopes to get in lineup soon
If he doesn’t get in there soon, I propose a new nickname for him: J.P. Svatos.
Previewing Opening Weekend in Smashville ” Music City Mindset
Ryan lines up several Coyotes and Devils blogs for you to review before the Thursday & Saturday games.
The C And The A’s | Admirals Roundtable
Meet your new Milwaukee Admirals leadership…
Martin Erat may miss home opener – The Tennessean
Lots of juicy nuggets here, including Barry Trotz’s appraisal of Brian McGrattan.
In an NHL pool? Grab Craig Smith! – The Globe and Mail
You know a guy coming out of college hockey playing in Nashville has to be doing well to draw attention up in Canada!
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Red Wings in Southeast? Jets in Central? NHL wimps out? – Puck Daddy
I’ll believe it when I see it… but you know this stuff will launch a thousand “how I’d realign the NHL posts”.
Sens Finally Complete a Third Period Comeback, Win 4-3 in Shootout – Silver Seven
Ottawa tops Minnesota by pulling one out in front of the home crowd.
Matt Cooke for Rocket Richard? Pens win 4-2 – PensBurgh
Pittsburgh took their home opener over Florida.
Red Light ” Posts Will the Blues finally fulfill their promise?
A deep dive into the St. Louis model, and whether it will return them to the playoffs.
The Five for Howling Roundtable – Previewing the Season – Five For Howling
With the Coyotes coming up on the schedule, this makes for timely reading.
Blues claim Taylor Chorney off waivers from Oilers – The Globe and Mail
After a spill into the boards on an icing touch-up, Carlo Coaiacovo went on injured reserve for St. Louis, so they’ve picked up this blueliner from Edmonton.
Top 10: NHL Backup Goaltenders – The Hockey Writers
Anders, #1? Really? That’s a bit premature…
Growing pains with Shanahan, plus 30 Thoughts – CBC Sports
Elliotte Friedman touches all the bases here, including Poile & The Big 3.
The NHL’s Most Interesting Name: 1960s Part I – Arctic Ice Hockey
Guaranteed chuckles to be found here.
Canucks controversy coming? – The Globe and Mail
We’re only days into the season, and already they’re talking about a goalie controversy in Vancouver?
Have the Caps Found Their Shutdown Five? – Japers’ Rink
It sounds like Joel Ward may be fitting in already with Washington.
Fear the Fin Debates: How should we feel about Dany Heatley? – Fear The Fin
This is a question which consumes fans in Ottawa, too.
An agent finally fires back at Brendan Shanahan – View From My Seats
You knew that sooner or later someone would start howling over the Shanabans.
The New York Islanders Fading 1st Round Pick Josh Bailey – The Hockey Writers
When you’re a team that constantly drafts high in the 1st round like the Islanders, well, they’re not all going to work out.
Having A Conservative Medical Staff Is Crucial To Team Health | Backhand Shelf
The pressure to get a player back on the ice is enormous, and comes from many different angles.
Jim Balsillie’s critics using NHL ownership chase to slam him – Puck Daddy
Did Balsillie’s hockey ownership adventures divert his attention from Research In Motion, leading in part to its recent troubles?