Gregory Shamus - Getty Images
The Nashville Predators' top defensemen are ready to hit the ice this afternoon at the NHL All-Star Game (3:00 p.m. Central on NBC Sports, the channel formerly known as Versus). We'll get a chance for the first time (since the Olympics, see the comments below) to see Shea Weber and Ryan Suter compete against one another, as Weber plays for Team Alfredsson, and Suter for Team Chara.
Will it be the last? That's the question that won't be answered for several more months, it appears...
Where To Buy 2012 NHL All-Star Gear Online
Suter irked by coverage of his comments - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
For those who thought Suter meant that signing now would be a distraction to himself, and not the team the other day - "Suter stands by his comment that he’s decided he won’t sign an extension before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, but that’s solely because he feels those contract talks would be a distraction hovering over the team." I still find that notion absurd, but regardless - if signing before the Trade Deadline would be a distraction, you can pretty much write off the idea of him signing during the rest of the season.
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Dave is waiting for his confidence in David Poile to be rewarded.
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Buddy wraps up his series looking back at pre-season predictions.
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Three observers chime in on the Preds rookie's long-term prospects.
Early wake-up call well worth it - JSOnline
Chris Mueller will represent the Ads at the AHL All-Star Game, held in Atlantic City.
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The Admirals could use a break, as they've now lost four straight.
Shea Weber, Ryan Suter bond started at Nashville Predators' first NHL draft - The Tennessean
The combo here is greater than the sum of its part, which is still pretty impressive.
Here's Shea Weber chatting it up with E.J. Hradek ahead of the skills competition yesterday:
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Big news on the Sidney Crosby front, as this might prove to be the key to getting him back to 100%.
Bettman Says League Has Advanced Money to the Devils - NYTimes.com
This is about the least shocking news of the week, although at least the commish finally admitted it.
Hockey World, Jan 29: Myhres puts troubles behind him - Edmonton Journal
Take a thorough walk around the NHL with one of the most comprehensive Sunday columns out there.
The Statistical Oddity All-Star Team - Backhand Shelf
SK74 was robbed, I tell ya.
John Collins helps bring NHL, All-Star weekend into 21st century - Michael Farber - SI.com
Meet the man behind so many of the initiatives which have helped the NHL grow as a business since the lockout of 2004-2005.
The Awards Show Will Remain in Vegas " Puck The Media
Buddy, Ryan, Jeremy, and the rest of the gang who travel to cover such events have to be geeked about this!
Driving Play: An Amazing Addition To The Copper & Blue - The Copper & Blue
Edmonton makes a blockbuster move to load up ahead of the trade deadline. No, not the Oilers... the SB Nation blog.
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Some solid number-crunching here, building off work that was done over at Broad Street Hockey recently.
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For you infographic lovers.
Leafs boss furious at Don Cherry: Source - Toronto Sun
Burke needs to rent out a barn and challenge Grapes.
ECHL line brawl: 278 PIMs, mask-on goalie fight, hysterical announcer (Video) | Puck Daddy
What is this, 1978?
NHL parity a myth despite institution of hard salary cap - NYPOST.com
You know when a column starts with infantile whining like this, that it's just another collection of talking points from NHLPA stealth-spokesman Larry Brooks: "The Vow that imposing a hard salary cap on the NHL would keep ticket prices in line has proved as accurate as the promise that the cap would become the magic elixir allowing every team to compete for the Stanley Cup every year."
Winnipeg waiting to host NHL All-Star weekend - The Globe and Mail
WTF? They should just be happy they're back in the NHL. Get in the back of the line, Winnipeg, we'll get to you in a few decades.
Watch the Igloo’s roof come crashing down during Pittsburgh demolition (Video) | Puck Daddy
It's always interesting to watch buildings come tumbling down...
The Dark Blue Jacket: When the Blue Jackets finally start winning...
Give a tip o' the hat to the Columbus fans who came to rally for change.
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With Brendan Morrison shipped off to Chicago, is Calgary looking to swing a deal for Carter?
NHL, union leaders keep mum on negotiation timeframe - The Globe and Mail
When will serious talks get rolling? Who knows.
Lastly, listen in as a TSN panel discusses all sorts of Trade Deadline issues (as found at Kukla's Korner):
0 recs | 16 comments
Question:
If we win two playoff rounds this year, minimum, would you think it sells Suter to resign?
TootooReigns - January 29, 2012 via iPhone app
That would probably play a role in his decision, sure. Something like that would probably give him more confidence that a Cup is possible here.
Dirk Hoag - January 29, 2012
First time?
Suter and Weber played against each other in the gold medal game at the Olympics.
BradHerman - January 29, 2012
I stand corrected!
Dirk Hoag - January 29, 2012
D’oh! How could you have forgotten that one?
cisar - January 29, 2012
Probably because we didn’t have this whole situation in mind at the time.
Dirk Hoag - January 29, 2012
…
cisar - January 29, 2012
no
The Preliminary round game that the US won in the Olympics. Right?
MattBen - January 29, 2012
Not that it really matters lol
MattBen - January 29, 2012
With $uter's comments about not resigning
If we can’t find an elite forward by the trade deadline to make a legitimate Cup run, I say Poile should ship him out of town with a big FU for a boatload of prospects and picks.
Shawn Kehoe - January 29, 2012
Eeeeh... I disagree.
I think he’s just waiting to see what Poile does to prove that Nashville can make a legitimate run for the Cup. If we ship one of our two best defensemen out of town before the playoffs (which is what I assume you’re suggesting, by mentioning the trade deadline thing, but correct me if I’m wrong), we are gonna be scuh-REWED during the playoffs and then we’ll scare Weber off too.
Shipping Suter out before the playoffs just reeks of “terrible idea”.
davisca - January 29, 2012
i love your pronunciation of scuh-rewed.
cisar - January 29, 2012
It gets the point across nicely.
davisca - January 29, 2012
That’s the crux of my point. If Poile doesn’t land an elite forward before the trade deadline, I’m conceding the fact that we’re probably not going to win the Stanley Cup. And without making it to the conference finals, I feel like $uter is going to walk. So if it gets down to the nitty gritty and we’ve done nothing to improve ourselves for the playoffs by the trade deadline, I propose we ship him out.
Shawn Kehoe - January 29, 2012
But wouldn’t you at least want to TRY to make it as far as we could in the playoffs while we still have Suter??? We might not get very far, but you never know, we might make it to the Conference finals. Who’s to say we can’t? And ESPECIALLY if you don’t think we’re going to be able to make it deep because Poile didn’t make a move, don’t you think it would be better to at least TRY? Say he does nothing, but we’re still solidly in the playoff race and have a good seed – would it be worth it to ship Suter (a “known” and a reliable player) off for whatever player we get (an “unknown” who may or may not be able to fit in immediately and play well for us) Not in my opinion. If you’re going to get rid of him at some point, you might as well use him while you got him.
davisca - January 29, 2012
I have to side with Kehoe here. If we’re not going to add anyone of consequence before the trade deadline, then we clearly aren’t making a serious run for the Cup. Why then pass up getting a good return for Suter?
Of course, getting a forward of significance changes the whole picture around. I vote we go that route. :)
Grizzledbear - January 29, 2012 via mobile
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