Today at training camp is all about special teams, with the guys hitting the ice at 11:30 a.m. for a PP/PK scrimmage (update: the Preds’ site now shows two practices at 9:30 and 11:30 instead). As we all know, complaining about the Predators’ power play is a longstanding tradition in Nashville, but what really surprised last season was how bad the penalty kill turned out to be. So take your lunch hour at Centennial Sportsplex and see what’s cooking for this year.
After the jump, we’ve got your morning dose of hockey news, including an interview with sensational prospect Taylor Beck, more speculation about the Preds’ new radio partner, and a Q&A with the NHL’s Director of Social Media, in which he discusses the role of platforms like Facebook and Twitter in the league’s effort to grow the game.
Readers of On the Forecheck can take advantage of a special offer to buy cheap Nashville Predators tickets.
Predators News
Preseason playing time is not guaranteed for all in Predators training camp – Nashville Predators Examiner
The pressure really builds now that preseason games are approaching, presenting the best opportunity to impress the coaching staff.
Training Camp Storylines: Taylor Beck Wants To Be Nashville’s Shane Doan – Predlines
Amanda profiles the guy who in my mind represents the most promising development within the Nashville prospect system over the last year or two.
Paul McCann – New Flagship in Nashville?
Paul provides his radio industry background on the move to 102.9, and what it means for the Preds.
Preds On The Glass: RLD Radio Division Previews, “The” Schwartz Gets Shafted, Preds’ Camp News, and Wednesday Round-Up
Buddy rallies to the cause of “The Schwartz”.
Hockey Night in Nashville: 5 Burning Questions
Key points to follow this season from a new Preds blog (hat tip to Preds On The Glass).
Like the Nashville Predators? Like us too for a chance to win 2 tickets! ” Sport Seasons
OK, it’s just a preseason game (one for which free tickets were made available), but at least their heart’s in the right place.
Predators finally prepared to tackle most pressing problem – Nashville City Paper
As David Boclair writes, today’s work is all about special teams, where both the power play and penalty kill need to improve over last season.
Nashville Predators are intrigued by Sergei Kostitsyn’s potential – The Tennessean
Aye, there’s the rub. We’re all intrigued by potential, but delivering on it is a whole ‘nother story.
Meet Aaron Johnson – Predators Insider
Does anyone else read that headline and have the Jetson’s theme start playing in their head? No, just me?
Around the NHL
100 Brains: NHL’s Michael DiLorenzo on social media and the 2010-2011 season | ZDNet
Tech columnist Jennifer Leggio (a diehard hockey fan), talks to the NHL’s Director of Social Media about plans for the upcoming year.
Pre-Season Game 1 Recap: Getting Started On The Right Foot – The Cannon
Is there cause for optimism in mid-Ohio?
Souray trade just a matter of time – The Globe and Mail
Eric Duhatschek looks at both sides of a possible Sheldon Souray-for-Mike Commodore trade.
Makarov Cocktail explodes onto scene – Blackhawk Up
You’ve gotta like the nickname for Chicago prospect Igor Makarov.
Coyotes Roast Ducks 4-1 In First Preseason Game – Five For Howling
Phoenix rolled over Anaheim last night, and longtime Milwaukee Admiral Nolan Yonkman got into the mix.
Panthers 4, Hurricanes 1, Preseason Game One – Canes Country
The Carolina Hurricanes, who come to Nashville tomorrow, dropped their preseason opener.
Bruins GM lashes out at ESPN report claiming Savard could be done – Puck Daddy
ESPNBoston.com posted an article speculating that Marc Savard, like Paul Kariya, could miss the season with post-concussion syndrome. The Bruins angrily denied it, and took the opportunity to slam blogs along the way – because we all know that mainstream media outlets don’t engage in conjecture, right?
Maybe it’s time to cut Ovechkin some slack – ESPN
Scott Burnside gets a load of quotes about Alex Ovechkin that build off one of the most tired cliches in all of sport – that this guy wants to win all the time, at everything, and that trait makes him incredibly special, unique even, as an elite hockey player.
Islanders Sign El Nino — Wang Talks? | Hockey Independent
Charles Wang points ominously to 2015, and the end of the Islanders lease at Nassau Coliseum.
Maple Leafs 0 Senators 5: Hard To Stomach – Pension Plan Puppets
They’re breaking out the life jackets in Toronto…
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