Christian Petersen - Getty Images
4 months ago: OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 27: Team Chara Ryan Suter of the Nashville Predators speaks with the press during the 2012 NHL All-Star Game Player Media Availability at the Westin Ottawa on January 27, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Today is all the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, which takes place tonight at 6:00 p.m. Central on NBC Sports (formerly the Versus channel). This will be Craig Smith's chance to show his stuff on the league-wide stage, while of course many folks are looking forward to Shea Weber's chances in the Hardest Shot competition.
All the info on the various events, and who is participating from each team, can be found here at NHL.com.
Yesterday's news, of course, was dominated by Ryan Suter's comments during his media session. This got picked up around the NHL, but sadly ignored by the Tennessean locally...
Where To Buy 2012 NHL All-Star Gear Online
Ryan Suter: No benefit in signing by Feb. 27 - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
Pierre LeBrun sums up the implications of Suter's comments yesterday. "Now the next move belongs to Poile, whose team has been on a tear in the past month, rising up the Western Conference standings, clearly playoff-bound and perhaps capable of a deep run. Can he afford to move Suter before Feb. 27 given where his team sits in the standings? Can he afford not to if he stands to possibly lose such a huge asset this summer for nothing?"
The View from 111: Tryin for Ryan, Can the Predators Sign Suter?
Mark sees Suter as having escalated the pressure on David Poile, too.
NHL midseason awards: Malkin, Lundqvist, Weber are cream of the crop - Sporting News
Jesse Spector would hand Shea Weber the Norris, and has the advanced stats to back it up.
Hockey Courtesy - Has Been Sports
Justin kicks things off with a plea for fans not to make waves at a hockey game.
Ads Skid Continues With 2-1 Loss To Wolves | Admirals Roundtable
The Admirals drew a huge crowd (17,386!) but dropped the decision last night.
Preds rookie puts NHL on notice - The Tennessean
Yeah, I'd say it's been a pretty good season for the Honey Badger.
All-Star experience something Brian Elliott ‘wouldn’t trade for the world’ | Puck Daddy
The former Senators cast-off is probably the feel-good story of the weekend.
NBC Sports Network Drops 35% for the Fantasy Draft " Puck The Media
Did the fact that this was on a Thursday vs. a Friday last year make much of a difference?
Down Goes Brown: Things overheard backstage at the NHL all-star fantasy draft
I like this one - "This is boring. Next year I’m totally going to give somebody a leaping headshot so I get to stay home."
Datsyuk tops among his all-star peers | Hockey | CBC Sports
He's not exactly a media sensation, but Pavel Datsyuk has the respect of his fellow players.
A look at NHL collective bargaining issues - The Globe and Mail
David Shoalts lays the main issues out on the table.
Spezza: NHLPA made "a lot of concessions" for last CBA, doesn't want to make more - Silver Seven
Jason Spezza says the players are coming in to this negotiation better prepared than they have been before.
Hawks acquire Brendan Morrison - The Hockey Writers
A nice depth pickup by Chicago here in the aging Morrison. Back in olden times, Morrison was the first player I ever interviewed, when he was a senior at Michigan on his way to a Hobey Baker Award and national championship.
Which Leafs Could Be Available? | The Hockey Writers
Might there be a potential match here for the Predators?
The impact of the John-Michael Liles Extension " Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
As Toronto locks up the defenseman for four more years, might that squeeze out a guy like Luke Schenn?
Unzipping the Jackets, Part I - NHL.com
An up-close view of the mood in Columbus, as one NHL.com writer embedded himself with the Blue Jackets for a week.
Jackets To Host All-Star Game | BlueJackets Xtra
This is a nice bone to throw their way. With the Olympics coming up in 2014, Nashville might be on deck for 2015.
How People Get to ArcticIceHockey.com - Arctic Ice Hockey
I think I'm going to try and share one bizarre search term a day via Twitter which brings people to OTF, it's funny stuff.
With spotlight on, Kane starting to mature - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
Patrick Kane now beats up chauffeurs rather than taxi drivers.
American goaltenders making presence felt - The Globe and Mail
You mean they make goalies somewhere other than Sweden & Finland?
"I’m terrible at what matters…but I’m good at something else" | mc79hockey.com
Sure, Edmonton may be faltering, but their AHL team is going great!
Breaking Down One Of The Many MSM Defences Of Steve Tambellini - The Copper & Blue
It sounds like the media in Edmonton have rallied to the defense of the Oilers GM.
0 recs | 23 comments
Too bad it's not an Olympic year
The American goaltenders are arguably the top of the heap this year: Quick, Thomas, Howard, Anderson. Even Cory Schneider and Ryan Miller (despite his off year) are good. The Americans have talent and depth – something the other countries don’t.
Griz-ATL - January 28, 2012
You can only play one goalie at a time.
cisar - January 28, 2012
heh
surprise surprise
BradPerala - January 28, 2012
columbus gets the ASG, wtf bettman
JBoogie22 - January 28, 2012 via iPhone app
Pity to keep them from going under.
DonBorvio - January 28, 2012
If you’re thinking it should be Nashville, the new convention center won’t be ready in time. If you just wondering in general, I’m right there with ya.
LuvthePreds - January 28, 2012
seems like they like to give the all star game to cities without hockey. Columbus, Ottawa, etc..
Creeping Death - January 28, 2012
Montreal
Dirk Hoag - January 28, 2012
oui!!
Creeping Death - January 28, 2012
Cardinal comparison
Dirk – In early December you suggested that if Suter didn’t sign by 2/27 Poile should maximize assets and trade him. Do you still feel that way, or could the Preds make a St Louis Cardinal like run to the cup with their prized UFA? I think the Preds chances of winning the Cup this year are no worse than the Cards odds of winning the Series in 2011… Especially if some vet pieces are added at the deadline – big if
jmack4 - January 28, 2012
I don’t see much having changed since I wrote that. Even with the recent hot streak, banking on a deep run with the current roster, and hoping that Suter signs after the season, seems incredibly risky.
Dirk Hoag - January 28, 2012
cisar - January 28, 2012
Speaking of St. Louis
He probably has a no trade clause, but considering Tampa Bay’s obvious need for defense and our wealth of young D-man, I’d like to see a trade for St. Louis. He has three years left at around $5.5 million, is a point a game player and would be perfect wearing the same number 26 he’s already sporting. It’s a pipe dream I know, but I think Tampa is gonna be a seller. A couple of D-prospects and a draft pick would be fair. It doesn’t empty their offensive stables considering they have Stamkos and Lecavalier. Of course I’d take Stamkos too, but they aren’t gonna let him go and Lecavalier would be a perfect fit I think, but his contract stinks at almost $8 mil for the next fifty years.
Dumont'sShorts - January 28, 2012
St. Louis would be good. TBL also needs goaltending, so the Lindback + Blum + whatever might just work.
DonBorvio - January 28, 2012
First round pick too much?
Dumont'sShorts - January 28, 2012
Maybe but not a gross overpayment.
DonBorvio - January 28, 2012
I especially like the remaining length of his contract.
But it’s just a dream, I know.
Dumont'sShorts - January 28, 2012
Rick Nash
since we’re dreaming, is the most natural looking non-Predator for our team..
jeffery101y - January 28, 2012
8 mil a year until 2017-2018 is a lot of contract to swallow.
Dumont'sShorts - January 29, 2012 via mobile
So suter is in the shoot out competition??
Smith gets to try his hand at puck control
IG-PRED8 - January 28, 2012
Interesting.
That works, I guess. I would have put him in the “passing accuracy” category of the skills relay, but apparently Patrick Kane is a better choice. Pssht. Whatever.
davisca - January 28, 2012
ole Kane-er-man
struggled in that part. it was painful to watch. and very funny
Only Fan In J.C. ? - January 29, 2012
I enjoyed it because of that, haha.
Does that make me a bad person?
davisca - January 29, 2012
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