Marianne Helm - Getty Images
Cal O'Reilly is taking his talents to Pittsburgh.
Our afternoon hockey notes touch on former Nashville Predators either on the move between NHL teams, or perhaps getting ready to be moved.
While reading, listen in as ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun (one of the few "insiders" you should pay attention to) joined the pre-game radio show yesterday to talk about not just the Ryan Suter situation, but the other challenges which David Poile is facing right now. Thanks to the gang at 102.5 The Game for sharing the audio with us here:
Pierre LeBrun on 1025 2012-01-31 (mp3)
And now, on to the notes...
February brings new coupon codes for hockey players, goalies, and fans | Hockey Gear HQ
No matter what you're looking for this month, there are some great promo codes which have been released to help you save money at select hockey sites.
Mayor Karl Dean looking to change the way Nashville Predators get state revenues | In Session
The City of Nashville wants to make sure that there's more transparency in how the incentive fees flow from the state level, back through the local Convention & Visitors Bureau and then to the Predators (or more properly, Powers Management).
Smashville 24/7: Trotz: ‘This group has that special feel to it’
It sounds like Coach Trotz has a case of the warm & fuzzies.
Paul McCann - Did That Really Happen? Randoms and tonight's SlapShot Radio
Paul sets up tonight's SlapShot Radio show, which features some nifty guests...
A Day in the Life of an Admiral (Chris Mueller, all-star edition) - JSOnline
Follow along as Chris Mueller goes from Milwaukee to Atlantic City, and beyond.
Nhl Players Poll - 02.06.12 - SI Vault
Despite all the furor in the media, only 9% of NHL players polled said the league isn't doing enough about hits to the head.
Pens Claim Cal O'Reilly off Re-entry Waivers - PensBurgh
Penguins GM Ray Shero found Cal O`Reilly in the NHL's 50% mark-down section. I wonder if he might click with Steve Sullivan again?
Agents of Change: Ritch Responds - Becoming an Agent
Thinking about becoming a sports agent? Ritch Winter outlines the process.
The Marek Zidlicky sweepstakes!? - The Globe and Mail
Eric Duhatschek assesses Zid's value on the trade market.
When in Doubt, Fire Them All? - Hockey Wilderness
Last night's Predators comeback has them thinking dark thoughts in Minnesota.
Brophy on Leafs: Grabovski, Bozak trade bait? - sportsnet.ca
Mike Brophy speculates on who the Maple Leafs might put on the market.
KHL’s Ilya Yezhov presents the season’s funkiest goalie victory dance (Video) | Puck Daddy
More video wackiness from the KHL.
John Tavares Dispels Any Notion That He Isn't Top 25 Under 25 - The Hockey Writers
The Islanders star is putting to the troll from ESPN.com.
Red Light " Posts The Brooklyn Islanders? Not likely
Stu Hackel downplays the Brooklyn speculation.
Hradek: Gill, Ruutu among UFA's hitting trade market - NHL.com
Do any of these 10 guys catch your eye?
The 5 NHL teams that make me want to flip channels - Backhand Shelf
The Preds may be winning, but outside observers often say they play an unlovely game.
0 recs | 44 comments
Harding certainly didn’t help out his trade value last night (hehe). Not sure why the Leafs would trade Grabovski either.
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
If we are going for a rental...
we should definitely look into Prospal, if CBJ puts him on the block, cheap salary for a decent player, i think he’d fit in well.
JBoogie22 - February 1, 2012
He’d be okay, but I’m hoping for better than him. Hoping for more than a rental as well.
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
i would certainly hope for better too...
but it’s Poile…
JBoogie22 - February 1, 2012
I’m hoping the magnitude of the Suter situation and that we’re a team that could do some damage in the playoffs (more so with another quality forward) will move Poile to think big this time around. :)
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
I heard Preds are the only team that is interested in Ray Whitney at all
Klein(er) - February 1, 2012
He’s kind of like a lesser-known Selanne with the stats he has, wouldn’t be a bad addition for a rental
DonBorvio - February 1, 2012
I doubt we would be the only team interested in the Wizard. The Bruins have been said to be interested in him at times this season. Would be a nice pickup, but the Coyotes will have to fall out of playoff contention before they would move him.
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
Hemsky, Prospal, Ruutu and Smyth seem to fit the "Top 6 Forward" mold to varying degrees ...
I dont get to watch much hockey other than Preds games so I dont know all that much about these guys other than the stats, and what I see when they play the Preds. I most fear to play against Smyth. I have no idea whether he, or any of these guys would really fit the system and not disrupt the good mojo the Preds have working right now.
Popov - February 1, 2012
I think Trotz could get any of them to fit the system well enough (whether he could keep Hemsky from breaking is another question, LOL). But I want to see Poile kill two birds with one trade here: help the team AND persuade Suter this is the place where Cups can be won…….this season and after this season.
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
I wonder if perhaps MTL puts Andrei Kostitsyn on the trading block.
hmmmmm..
JBoogie22 - February 1, 2012
I'm sure you could get Gomez for nothing ;)
DonBorvio - February 1, 2012
woah. woah. now you are just getting crazy! you want 2 Tits? If we had both, and they were both out on the ice at the same time, would we be required to throw beads at them?
Creeping Death - February 1, 2012
you earned that rec sir, hopefully more shall come your way
JBoogie22 - February 1, 2012
and the answer is yes.
JBoogie22 - February 1, 2012
Just shakes head.
Grizzledbear - February 1, 2012 via mobile
My eye landed right on Smyth, yeah.
He’s got a pretty great playoff-points, too: 59 points in 93 games? Yes please. He is a little pricey, though.
davisca - February 1, 2012
Also, then we could have Smyth, Smith, and Smithson!
davisca - February 1, 2012
It's nice to see SOMEBODY giving credit to the Preds at nhl.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=6070
ILovethe#6CannonFire - February 1, 2012
Let's give him full control of NHL.com
TootooReigns - February 1, 2012 via iPhone app
why? you don’t think that 7 year old they have controlling it right now is doing a good job?
Creeping Death - February 1, 2012
ba-ZING!
davisca - February 2, 2012 via Android app
JR's late to the party.
Don’t forget, JR is the same dude who cracked up laughing last year when Keith Jones predicted that the Preds would make some noise in the playoffs.
LuvthePreds - February 1, 2012
JR's usually an idiot.
But I gotta commend him for this article. It IS nice to see the Preds getting attention.
davisca - February 1, 2012
I totally agree with every bit of this. :-)
ILovethe#6CannonFire - February 1, 2012
Thanks, JR
Look at the standings. Nashville is only three points behind the top spot in the National Hockey League, and yet you don’t really hear anything about that. It’s disappointing to me, because the Predators have paid their dues. They’ve sat in the basement, worked their way back to respectability, and now they are arguably one of the strongest and most disciplined teams in the NHL.
cisar - February 2, 2012
I am with you, but I think it will take us actually winning the division(or the west) once before we are thought of as a threat. We were here before and wilted down the stretch.
bandman - February 2, 2012
Either winning the division
or consistently advancing in the playoffs.
One series victory amongst all the playoff flops, others shouldn’t think the Preds are surefire Stanley Cup contenders. Teams like the early 2000 Sens, the up-to-2010 Sharks, were considered pretenders because of their playoff flops in the second round……
If the Preds flop this year, folks will regard last year as an aberration. If the Preds advance again, well, now that is a trend, and the year following the Preds will be EXPECTED to advance by everyone, instead of being a ‘surprise’ team……
A top 4 seed and some playoff success will get the attention of outsiders this year, and maybe even guys like Suter/Webs.
PekKarlsson - February 2, 2012
good job pierre
“with the predators right in the thick of it there in the eastern conference playoff race” 2:54
trav16 - February 2, 2012
haha
kypredsfan - February 2, 2012
If there is an incredibly disheartening way to lose a hockey game
Columbus knows how to do it. Just got scored on with .4 seconds left in the game. And yes, Lebda was on the ice.
thewildfop - February 2, 2012
You beat me to that by at least .4 seconds! :D
Grizzledbear - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Perfect timing by us hahaha
thewildfop - February 2, 2012
That almost takes effort to make that happen.
Oh how I don’t miss L-3bda….
davisca - February 2, 2012
C-bus got screwed there. The clock stopped for at least a second and then started back up. Game should have gone to OT
Creeping Death - February 2, 2012
Oh wow you are not joking. How did something like that go unnoticed?
thewildfop - February 2, 2012
Only the Jackets could lose a game with 1 second left in the 3rd period………they redefine losing on a nightly basis.
Amazing how good the Stars are when they have a full healthy lineup. A 6-2 paisting of the Ducks tonight.
Grizzledbear - February 2, 2012 via mobile
DUSTIN PENNER
I am just saying…….
SinBinPred - February 2, 2012
What about Jason Blake
He’s also in the trade talks
Klein(er) - February 2, 2012
Blake
He would be great! Injuries have made his numbers low over the past little bit if I remember correctly.We should be able to get him for around 3 million or under also. Wouldnt be a bad addition at LW. Which we could always use!
SinBinPred - February 2, 2012
Well, he did have his arm sliced open in October. That could account for some of his low numbers
CAustin - February 2, 2012
Oh. nvm. I see now that that’s what you said. Sorry for not reading well. Must. Clean. Glasses.
CAustin - February 2, 2012
Semin, Knuble
These guys are UFA in Washington also. Knuble at 2 million and Semin at 6 million (whew)
SinBinPred - February 2, 2012
I could never see Semin on this team, too expensive, doesn't fit our style of play
Knuble is someone Poile wouldn’t give too much for, other teams would probably offer more anyways.
Klein(er) - February 2, 2012
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