Frederick Breedon - Getty Images
Is this the year when Martin Erat leads the Preds in scoring for the first time?
As the Nashville Predators get back to business tonight at Minnesota (7:00 p.m. Central on FS-TN), the question I have for you this morning is... who do you think will end up leading this team in scoring this season? It seems like different guys have taken over at various times, but once again we have a pretty broad race for the team title this season. Martin Erat currently leads the way with 35 points, but we know how his streaks can run both hot and cold. Shea Weber is right behind him with 34, and one guy I wonder about is Craig Smith. Will this bit of rest restore a bit of jump to his game?
Sound off with your thoughts in the comments, after sorting through your morning hockey notes...
Preds On The Glass: Odds Update On Goalie Wins and Leading Goal Scorer in NHL
Buddy the Bookmaker is at it again.
Inside Smashville " Preds say regaining focus won’t be a problem after five-day break
The big question on everyone's mind is whether the Predators can retain some of the momentum they had leading into the break.
Suter’s Suitors | The Predatorial
It's not just the team's position in the standings, but also the need to impress Suter & Weber, which may drive David Poile to his most critical Trade Deadline work since 2007.
Smashville 24/7: Upcoming month ‘a good test’ for Preds
Ryan looks ahead to the February schedule.
Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City: Mueller Takes His All Star Turn | PuckScene.com
Patten made the trip to Atlantic City to cover the AHL All-Star Game, and caught up with a very thankful Chris Mueller.
Facing free agency in near future, Jordin Tootoo focuses only on present | Nashville City Paper
Lost in all the Ryan Suter talk is the number of other players who need new contracts, too.
Rinne, rest of Predators who rested during All-Star break get back to work | Nashville City Paper
It sounds like both Jerred Smithson and Francis Bouillon are ready to play again.
Ryan Suter's contract not yet an issue - The Tennessean
Nobody's going to talk about a situation they have no control over, so the focus is on the task at hand, winning hockey games.
Jordin Tootoo lands sailfish during all-star break - The Tennessan
Toots went sea fishing with Pekka over the weekend.
Concussion coverage could soon become headache for NHL - thestar.com
Remember the financial strain that Matthew Lombardi's situation put the Predators in last season, forcing them to gift-wrap Cody Franson for the Maple Leafs? Well, they're not alone.
NHL Booster Club Convention coming to South Florida - Litter Box Cats
I've never heard of such a thing before - do the Cellblock 303 crew count, or does this mean "official" booster clubs?
Union Blue Runs Deep... Except With Jeff Carter. - The Cannon
When someone feels "compelled" to use lots of "quotes" it seems to "indicate" a lack of trust in statements that Jeff Carter really isn't "focused" on getting out of "Columbus".
Devils’ Zach Parise won’t be traded by general manager Lou Lamoriello before NHL trade deadline Feb. 27, say sources - NYPOST.com
It sounds like the Devils will hang on to their pending UFA, too.
Eastern Conference Teams Assess Needs As Trade Deadline Looms, Part 1 - Puck Drunk Love
Does anyone here need what the Preds have in excess?
Stats.hockeyanalysis.com updated | Hockey Analysis
David has news about the data he provides, along with an interesting notion about Zone Starts that may warrant further consideration.
Rookie Forward Deployments, League-Wide - The Copper & Blue
A real perty graph here, showing how various rookies are used by their coaches.
Eighth place in the Western Conference is up for grabs; Who takes it? | Puck Daddy
As usual, it'll be a wide open race.
Mascots have synchronized Tebowing, Chuck-a-Puck fail at AHL All-Star Game | Puck Daddy
Who doesn't love mascot mayhem?
More People Watch the Skills Competition than the All-Star Game in Canada on CBC " Puck The Media
I wonder how much of this is a Saturday night vs. Sunday afternoon effect.
Pizzo’s Points: "You got a question, you ask the 8-Ball" - Backhand Shelf
Here's a nice crutch to use when creativity just isn't clicking.
Karlsson's a Norris contender - Ottawa Sun
When you lead all defensemen in scoring by a healthy margin, and are the anchor for a surprisingly successful team, you're certainly going to get into that conversation.
All-Star Game latest chapter in Slovaks' long friendship - NHL.com
Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik both hail from the same small Slovakian town (no, it's not Marianville).
2012 NHL Mid-Term Top 60 Rankings (1-30) | The Scouting Report
Before we get back to watching pucks fired in anger, take a look ahead to guys you'll likely see in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft this summer.
Video: Brian Burke talks about general managing - The View From My Seats
This book sounds interesting, but $100??? WTF?
KHL goalie Karri Ramo presents the worst hockey own-goal of 2012 (Video) | Puck Daddy
Woof, this is a bad one.
‘Sheriff Shanny’ sticks to his guns - The Globe and Mail
Shanny's job is a thankless one, and he has to shake off most of the criticism that comes his way.
Carrie Selivanov, daughter of Lightning founder Phil Esposito, has died - Lightning Strikes | Tampa Bay Times
Sad news for the Esposito family.
0 recs | 36 comments
Poor Gbear....:(
CAustin - January 31, 2012
I already knew it wasn’t gonna happen. Still, it’s sad. :(
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
In the last few games before the break HB really looked like he was getting his pace back
I would like to see his continued efforts and resurgence move him out of the bottom six and back to playing more minutes. Its not as if I expect him to score at the same clip as the start of the season, but I think he could be a regular offensive contributor.
The Devils are sitting in a big tie for 8th place. If they drop out and look like they aren’t going to be able to maintain a playoff spot maybe they’ll take another look at trading Parise. If you think about it, why would any team that is a bubble playoff team announce that they intend to shop their top player? You keep that sort of thing quiet until there is a better picture.
3DLink - January 31, 2012
Especially if, like the Devils, the team is broke and taking NHL cash to pay current bills; a full Rock for a few playoff games would generate some shekels, for sure.
Hockey Hillbilly - January 31, 2012
The more I read into it...
…and this is pure speculation – but it seems the Jackets are willing to part with Nash for the right price. They’re hurting for draft picks after that Carter deal. We could put an enticing proposal together with prospects and picks for their inevitable rebuilding. I know this is wishful thinking, especially considering it would be an in-division deal with a team whose fans HATE Nashville. Still, there’s still a glimmer of potential in this.
Daniel Rogers - January 31, 2012
I would love to see Nash in Predator Gold!
buckeye_jg - January 31, 2012
Nash in Nashville
Aditya T (smashville) - January 31, 2012
I don't get it.
Poiju - January 31, 2012
Lawlz
davisca - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Hey, haven’t seen you ’round these parts lately! Sticking around now football season is over?
DonBorvio - January 31, 2012
With the NHL giving Columbus the all star game next year don’t they have to keep him until this time next year? Can you imagine if howson moved both carter and nash before that game next year? Bettman might have to announce “Columbus has no stars so we are changing the location to Phoenix.”
One of the two will be moved but cannot see it being Nash over Carter unless someone gives them the moon and throws in Saturn as well.
wrandsw - January 31, 2012 via mobile
They could run their show like the Pittsburgh Pirates last decade or so: Cheap players, cheap tickets, good arena.
DonBorvio - January 31, 2012
They trade Nash to us – he will still be in Columbus for the ASG.
cisar - January 31, 2012
This is true.
Poiju - January 31, 2012
All Star Weekend
I don’t know about Sat vs Sun, but I know I went back to watch the skills competition. I just watched the highlights to the game.
Evanbio - January 31, 2012
February is
Make or break time for the Preds. I only saw two games the entire month that weren’t against teams in the top 8 of each conference. Almost seems that Poile needs to make his move now, like he did with Fisher last year, so they can stay ahead of the pack.
BTW please get Toots and Willy locked up now, since batman and robin want to want until after we lose in the conference finals.
wrandsw - January 31, 2012 via mobile
i bet
Suter is tired of being referred to as Robin. Maybe if we call them Batman and Superman he’d decide to stay.
Shawn Kehoe - January 31, 2012
Batman and Superman aren’t usually a pair, though. Except in the context of the Justice League, they’re usually solo. So then we’d have to start doling out other nicknames to other players. I vote Smithson as Martian Manhunter.
We definitely do need to come up with a better term for them, as they are equally awesome in their own respect… and Suter would look odd in tiny green underwear.
Predanooga - January 31, 2012
Sasquatch (from BC and in Alpha Flight) and Captain America
Is that better?
HardCorePredFan316 - January 31, 2012
Erat should totally be Wonder Woman
Shawn Kehoe - February 1, 2012
Awesome to see the Preds doing as well as they are
But tonight, the Wild are taking the two points. Sorry, they just have to! You can have the extra point though! ;)
JSLandry - January 31, 2012
hey, even one point will put his tied with stl for 2nd in the division if chicago loses tonight, but we prefer the two :)
predmama - January 31, 2012
Oh BOY do I want the Nucks to beat Chicago tonight.
davisca - January 31, 2012
Can't we have all 3 and just owe you some in the future?
Poiju - January 31, 2012
Hey, no fair! That’s what I told YOU!
davisca - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Well, you stole Bryan's idea ;)
Hahaha!
Besides, we need the points more. You can have all the points from all the other teams if you want, but we want these 2…and the rest :)
JSLandry - January 31, 2012
Pekka will lead us.
Because he is our best player.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - January 31, 2012
He's the Predator Pontiff!
davisca - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Indeed.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - January 31, 2012
I believe Pekka is set up for an amazing second half
he’ll come from behind and end up leading in both G and A….j/k…. I say marty will lead in G. I also think we’re in the middle of the movie “How HB got his Groove Back”
Herzausstein - January 31, 2012
It’s really an excellent movie.
davisca - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Pekka's a beast in the second half
Not sure if he will win the vezina, but he’s been our mvp so far.
JBoogie22 - January 31, 2012 via iPhone app
Second that. But I do worry about the workload, on pace for 70-75 starts.
On the headline question, I think Marty wins the point race and Hornqvist leads in goals scored. Goals get uglier from here, which suits him. But Leggy will be best player down the stretch. This is usually go time for him. I think more than anyone we have, he raises his game according to the time.
el pucko - January 31, 2012 via Android app
also...
a blessing Pekka got those 5 days off (er a week off). Probably amped him up for the stretch run and pissed him off a bit too he wasn’t in Ottawa. just my thoughts. Nobody wants to face an angry Rinne. Its hard enough already.
So who thinks Poile isnt signing/trading anyone???! (my hand is raised btw).
ajs3677 - January 31, 2012
Mike Fisher
is a constant source for offensive spark. That’s who I’m putting my money on to lead the Preds into the playoffs (offensively speaking). A hot goaltender can flat out win the whole thing for you, so yeah, I agree that Peks needs to lead.
Gumpucks - January 31, 2012
Looks like you called that one! :)
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
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