In an email discussion this morning, one OTF reader talked about seeing the Nashville Predators play in Ottawa a few weeks ago, and how Mike Fisher received such a welcoming reaction from Senators fans (including several in Nashville jerseys with Fisher's name on the back).
My question to you this morning, is which former Pred do you think would warrant such a welcome at Bridgestone Arena? Steve Sullivan? Scott Hartnell?
Ponder that while reading your morning hockey notes...
Save money on Nashville Predators tickets with the OTF Discount!
HFBoards - Speculation: Radulov considering returning to NHL next season?
There he goes, setting hearts a-flutter again.
Faceoff Analysis: Predators vs. Canucks – 2-21-2012 | PuckScene.com
Patten breaks the faceoff numbers down from last night's game in a way I haven't seen before.
Preds On The Glass: Shea Weber's beard will not return until the playoffs
You'll have to wait until April to fear the beard.
Smashville 24/7: One more thing: Wilson shows improvement
It sounds like Willy took the coach's criticism to heart.
Hal Gill makes big contribution in his first Predator home game - Nashville Predators Examiner
Last night we got to see Gill do what he does best.
Hamhuis discusses the Suter situation - Predators Insider
Insight from the Hammer on what it's like to be in the middle of a pressure-packed season, heading towards unrestricted free agency.
Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper sees the Preds as having resolved their defensive issues, thanks in part to the Gill pickup.
Todd Bertuzzi off #SNtrade list. #NHL continue to resign their own. #Redwings closing out Bert to 2 year extension. Ballpark of 2M per.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) February 22, 2012
Doesn't he understand what a distraction that will be to the Red Wings???
Post Lockout Team Save Percentages | Hockey Analysis
I know some won't like this, but I look at this graph and wonder... why are the Preds paying $7M for 7 years again?
Pizzo’s Points: I like Mike Ribeiro | Backhand Shelf
The former Canadien gave it to the fans last night in Montreal.
Uni Watch " Uni Watch DIY Project: Because Not Everyone Has Access to AutoCAD
Sweeeeeeeet.
Stu Hackel Week on Arctic Ice Hockey: Time of Possession/Attack Zone Time - "Stats the NHL Ought to Keep" - Arctic Ice Hockey
This would be a beauty to have, and it's too bad the NHL stopped tracking it.
Can Scott Howson Save His Job? - The Cannon
It's amazing that he still has one in Columbus.
Goon: It’s a long way from Slap Shot - The Globe and Mail
It looks like this doesn't get released here until March 30, but it will be interesting to see...
Now that Jamie Langenbrunner is hurt, will the Blues trade? - Puck Drunk Love
I can't imagine they'd add a major piece, but a veteran plugger might fit the bill.
Canucks Regulation Unbeaten Streak Snapped in Smashville: Recap and Chance Data | CanucksArmy
At the bottom here you'll find scoring chances from last night's game, broken down by player for For & Against.
Canucks At Predators Recap ; Meh (3-1L) - Nucks Misconduct
"The Preds deserved to win. They were the better team. Does not mean I have to like it."
Stiff Competition - Hawks 2, Scum 1 - Second City Hockey
The Blackhawks have settled things down now, and are on a four-game winning streak.
Game 60 Recap: Carter and Nash Huge in Victory Over Sharks - The Cannon
So this is how Jeff Carter & Rick Nash were supposed to work together.
Game 59: Anaheim Ducks at Tampa Bay Lightning - Raw Charge
The Lightning slowed down the red-hot Ducks for a night, beating them 3-2.
Miracles Happen: The Oilers Win 6-1 In Calgary - The Copper & Blue
Edmonton got the best in this Battle of Alberta.
Czech please: Jagr's OT winner gives Flyers much-deserved win over Jets - Broad Street Hockey
James van Riemsdyk made a huge play to help get Philadelphia to overtime in the first place.
Bouncing back, Fleury and Pens take down Rangers 2-0 - PensBurgh
Sully scored on the power play for Pittsburgh.
A Monster Performance Helps New Jersey Devils Edge Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in OT - In Lou We Trust
The Devils can thank some goaltending gaffes by Toronto for their win.
Islanders vs. Sabres Recap: Sabres Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive With Win - Die By The Blade
Zzzz... won't these two just give up and start selling already?
0 recs | 108 comments
You nailed it...
with Scott Hartnell. Oh, what a boon he would be to this squad. Sad to see him leave in that disaster fire sale way back when…
Smashville HockeyCat - February 22, 2012
Kimmo, too.
Smashville HockeyCat - February 22, 2012
If you are saying come back to the team:
Hartnell.
If you are saying fan reaction when they come as opposing team: Sully.
Josiah2729 - February 22, 2012
NHL Tonight interviewed Sully following the Pens game and it made me sad. I miss Sully. I hope when he retires he comes back to the Preds org in some fashion.
ablairnash - February 22, 2012
long list
The list of players I think most Pred fans would welcome back in to the arena is a long one at this point. I think the shorter list are the previous Preds players we wouldn’t welcome back. Arnott, and….um… Zidlicky….uh…. yeah. That’s about it for me.
All the rest (Mason, Zanon, Nichol, Sully, Hartnell, Kimmo, Ellis, Ward, Goc, O’Brien, etc, etc) would get a solid welcome back. Not all necessarily tribute video worthy, but I’d cheer them in the starting lineups.
pwnicholson - February 22, 2012
You can ad Hamhuis to the "no" list.
davisca - February 22, 2012 via Android app
+1
cisar - February 22, 2012
The deuce
Shawn Kehoe - February 22, 2012
Hope he enjoyed the Tuesday crowd at the Bridge last night
Predadave - February 22, 2012
I bet rads would get a pretty big reaction his first game back in Nashville.
Joel Ward is my Homeboy - February 22, 2012 via mobile
he'd love it here
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
That Radulov post at the top of this morning's news...
is the most compelling statement I’ve heard from him in a long time. It sounds like he’s really starting to hunger for the Stanley Cup, and I like what I hear. Will this be the year? Imagine if we can pick up a producing forward in a trade AND Radulov in the same playoff push?
Smashville HockeyCat - February 22, 2012
i say if we get rads, no need for any further movement
We will essentially have:
10-12-74
47-33-27
22-15-57
13-11-24
(im waiting for trotz to realize that smithson needs to be scratched…everyone else gets scratched when they play poorly, why is he immune?)
But those 4 lines to me look pretty damn solid…
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
I'd love him here.
davisca - February 22, 2012
not sure i agree with the diving accusation for the tripping penalty by the nucks fans
If anything it looked accidental
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
He wrote a freaking book about that call and conveniently ignored the nucks player holding the stick of our guy that led to a hooking call on us.
Joel Ward is my Homeboy - February 22, 2012 via mobile
That’s because the Canucks never do anything wrong. They don’t dive, they don’t lead with the elbow and leave their feet when checking an opponent’s head, they don’t hold the stick or chicken wing it in order to draw penalties. They’re perfect. The whole world is out to get them. And Burrows doesn’t bite. He had a glove shoved between his teeth. Poor Burrows.
Predaceous - February 22, 2012
Nucks fans calling out the Preds for diving is rich. The Ducks GM biotched about the Smithson penalty which looked a lot like elbowing rather than high sticking which was called. There’s no conclusive proof that Smithson dove or didn’t dive.
Anyway, every time we play the Canucks all I hear is whining from that side of the aisle. From their players (because the Preds manage to shut them down) or from their fans who accuse the team of constantly using the trap, even though anyone who actually knows what a trap is can clearly see that the Preds don’t engage in it any more than any other team.
Sometimes I think all Canuck fans know how to do is whine, complain and act inappropriately. Definitely the most immature fan base I’ve been exposed to online. In person I’ve met some great Canuck fans… outside of Vancouver, but online… sheesh!
Predaceous - February 22, 2012
Well spoken
And you can say it again. My most fervently heart felt desire last night was that Shea would continue on to beat the living s**t out of Burrows. I really thought that the little biting creepoid deserved even more than what Bret Lebda got back on February 28, 2009. Then I remembered the five minutes that would come with it and was happy Shea was satisfied with just showing up the little s**t for the sniveler he is.
Hockey Hillbilly - February 22, 2012
edit that to Andreas Lilja, not Bret Lebda.
djzielin - February 22, 2012
Thanks.
Hockey Hillbilly - February 22, 2012
Yeah, drawing penalties and taking lousy ones are just part of the game sad to say. At the end of the day when you are blaming officiating in on a loss your are 95% of the time not looking in the mirror. You got beat, stop scapegoating. It is really an arrogance thing, as if your perfect team would never have lost if the officiating was so hell bent on putting them down. It is designed to actually not give the opposing team any credit for beating you. The other 5% is stuff like “Hull was in the crease!!!” , or clock malfunctions, etc. Yeah, they have a legitimate beef, all the other nonsense is just that, nonsense.
901predfan - February 22, 2012
they also know how to riot
Shawn Kehoe - February 22, 2012
They were the champs at rioting last year! Quite an upset, I had pegged the anarchists for the G-20 to take home that banner.
901predfan - February 22, 2012
/homerism
In all honesty, officiating on stuff like that is awful in the league as a whole. There’s a handful of plays every game that either team can b!tch about. It’s something the teams have to realize they can’t change, and just deal with the cards as dealt. If it keeps a fan from going into cardiac arrest, I’m ok with it.
Evanbio - February 22, 2012
Very true
And I’m guilty of bitching here and there about officiating too, but I try to save my diatribes for the really egregious calls that seem to change momentum or have a significant impact in the game. Kesler chicken winging Weber’s stick in OT during the playoffs last year. Bad call that lead to the game winning goal. That was significant. I complained for sure.
I don’t think anyone in the arena felt like that tripping call on Smith was legit. It was more incidental, however, I have seen similar calls go against the Preds.
Predaceous - February 22, 2012
Assuming you mean a warm reception (ovation, etc.) when he comes to town with his new team.
Steve Sullivan, no question. Love that guy. We already did Ward. Did Hartnell get any recognition when he came back the first time? Shane O’Brien got some cheers, yeah?
CAustin - February 22, 2012
Hartnell and Timonen both received tributes on the same night and both acknowledged the crowd. Something Scott Walker didn’t do.
Predaceous - February 22, 2012
What? Walker?
cisar - February 22, 2012
After the video tribute for Walker, a camera got a shot of him on their bench, and he looked up at the ‘tron and back down again with that "I’m focused on the game" look and didn’t smile, wave, acknowledge the crowd or anything. Many people thought he should have done something.
OddManRush - February 22, 2012
I thought it was the ’i’m trying not to cry’ look.
cisar - February 22, 2012
Walker held a grudge for being traded for a long long time. I believe this offseason was the first interaction he’s had with the organization since that trade so long ago.
Shawn Kehoe - February 22, 2012
Sullivan
without a doubt Sullivan would get a huge standing ovation. Vokoun already got one, Walker got one, sullivan deserves one too if he comes back. Walker kinda snubbed the fans though, bitch.
kypredsfan - February 22, 2012
Talked to Scott Walker last summer when he came back for Skate of the Union. He said he’s really proud of his role as an Original Predator and maintains quite a few friendships with Nashville fans. Maybe he didn’t know about the tribute before it came and wasn’t prepared for it?
Hockey Hillbilly - February 22, 2012
I’ll never forget that he played his first preseason game as a Hurricane in Nashville. He took a penalty early in the game…then skated to the Predators penalty box.
Patten - February 22, 2012
Yeah, that was awesome.
cisar - February 22, 2012
At the time, I wasn’t sure that was a mistake, or a ‘Pred for life’ move. You know, like a hat tip, or stick lift.
cisar - February 22, 2012
Haha, I remember that!!
davisca - February 22, 2012 via Android app
Sullivan and Dumont
I love those guys and what they gave to our team.
Predaceous - February 22, 2012
Sully yes, Dumont no
Dave_is_a_killer - February 22, 2012 via Android app
I was happy to see Andrew Brunette return every time
until he signed on with the Blackhawks
Hockey Hillbilly - February 22, 2012
Off topic- and not trying to put the cart before the horse but...
what are the odds we can keep Gill around after this season? Anybody have a guess?
The Pred that Rides - February 22, 2012
he’s not a pricey defenseman: 2.25 mil per, plus he’s 36 so a new contract would probably be a bit lower. I would be thrilled if we sign him a 2 mil per for 2 yrs if he keeps playing the way he is.
Predadave - February 22, 2012
thanks- thats what I was kinda thinking too. Kinda hoping we can get it done because I was at the game last night and it was nice to literally see the frustration on Kesler’s face. That was worth 2.25 million in and of itself to me!
The Pred that Rides - February 22, 2012
He’s that answer to Kesler we were lacking last year.
DonBorvio - February 22, 2012
I HOPE...
Pekka breaks his hand in a goalie fight so Dirk can officially lose his mind.
Brenthrax - February 22, 2012
Surely, you jest!
Smashville HockeyCat - February 22, 2012
Because Poile likes me better, that's why.
#imdaddysfavorite
CAustin - February 22, 2012
Radulov!
That’s who I’d welcome back the most.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 22, 2012
Hear hear!!
davisca - February 22, 2012 via Android app
Hears to his team laying down like a cheap (you know what I mean) in the KHL playoffs!!!
Aeroflot has daily 777 service to JFK, book it!
901predfan - February 22, 2012
What is the situation with him after the KHL ends? Can he come back and join us for the last 2 months or so of the season plus playoffs and would that satisfy the last year on his contract?
If so I think I would rather have him come back in the offseason so we can have a whole year of him.
Joel Ward is my Homeboy - February 22, 2012
Technically
I think he would have to clear waivers if he comes back mid season
musamonster - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
I specifically asked about the waivers situation and was told it does not apply as he is suspended from the team.
901predfan - February 22, 2012
someone on puck daddy chat said they only have to clear waivers if they were in the league long enough to be considered a UFA
Rads technically still retains RFA status, right?
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
Waivers don't apply here.
Dirk mentioned it a week or so ago.
davisca - February 22, 2012
from what I have heard from some folks at the gala who are associated with the team is that if he came back this season and played one regular season game that would satisfy his entry level contract. He does not have to pass through waivers. That is the question I asked. According to him that would not be the case with him.
901predfan - February 22, 2012
My List
1. Hartnell
2. Kimmo
3. Hamhuis
4. Goc
5. Zanon
6. Jones
7. SOB
(in that order)
Never in a million years
1. arNOTt
2. Zidlicky
3. Nichol
4. Dumont
5. Sully
6. Ward
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
i think u put hamhuis on sully on the wrong lists
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
and*
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
No Chance
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
Why would I put someone on the list that had no interest in playing defense and was part of the trio that ran Rads out of town?
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
The question isn't who do you want on the team, though.
Who gets an ovation when they come back as a visiting player? Is this your ovation list or your “come back and play” list?
CAustin - February 22, 2012
I understood
but to me if I wouldn’t want them on the team again then I would want to give them an ovation.
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
Not me. I get emotionally involved.
CAustin - February 22, 2012
i dunno, im having a hard time figuring out who u would welcome back and who u wouldn't, by the way u listed it
Maybe its just the mobile app im using. Obviously Hamhuis should be booed outta town
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
I direct you to a previously reported incident on The Deuce
Hammer comments
Shawn Kehoe - February 22, 2012
Scotty Nichol still lives in Williamson County so your chances of seeing him in the off season are pretty good. Besides he held in auction in San Jose for Nashville flood victims, so I’m not sure he belongs in your “never in a million years” category.
Hockey Hillbilly - February 22, 2012
I'm glad that he did that, but
that should be the norm for players that have put down roots here. Being a professional athlete or entertainer should mean you are active in the community. It shouldn’t be an exception to the norm. Guys on 1 year deals I can see not being active, but a professional that signs a multi-year big league deal should be involved in community endeavors.
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
Little suprised to see Sullivan and Ward on this list.
Unless I am mistaken neither wanted to leave, but Ward would be a moron to turn down the money Washington offered and Sullivan was kind of shown the door.
Oh well, to each his own for sure.
901predfan - February 22, 2012
Where's all this Arnott hate coming from?
The guy came here as a free agent, got put into a bad situation through the firesale, and still put up big numbers, and then got traded.
musamonster - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
Lolligagged on the ice, divisive presence in the locker room, got traded because he demanded to be traded.
Patten - February 22, 2012
aaand boom goes the dynamite
Shawn Kehoe - February 22, 2012
I don't get the hate, either
Best production a Preds center has ever put up.
Took on the captaincy and led the team to a 2008 playoff berth nobody predicted coming out of the 2007 fire sale.
Came back early from a concussion and played like a beast down the stretch in 2009 as the team fell just short of the playoffs.
Dared to call out management to bring in offensive help at the 2009 deadline.
As I recall, it was Poile who came forth with the “changing the core of the team” line, which led to the talk of trading him.
Dirk Hoag - February 22, 2012
OFT
They played a clip from Holland’s talk with the Powerplay after Pete this morning on XM Home Ice and he talked about the dead wings d-men next year. While I know he can’t tamper and mention a player on another team, he talked pretty convincingly about
Kronwall, White, Erickson, Quincey, B. Smith, and trying to re-sign Stuart and Lids. Doesn’t sound like they have the room for Suter, but know they would find a way to make it work.
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
Welcome Back Wardo
Quick someone photoshop a meme with Wardo as Freddie Boom Boom Washington, Trotz as Cotter, Tootoo as Epstein, yeah you get it…
TO Me Ward is the only true Pred. Possibly Sully but he’s too old. Rest is good riddance to mediocre garbage.
PS – Don’t forget Rich Peverley
Brenthrax - February 22, 2012
I disagree
With your contention that Tomas Vokoun, Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell are “mediocre garbage”.
Patten - February 22, 2012
wellll...
how many Cups have those guys won since they left? Oh yeah… urm. As many as the Preds. Vokoun’s old, liked Kimmo can’t say I miss. Never a fan of Hartnell’s game. Put him on a line not with Giroux he’s pretty mediocre.
Brenthrax - February 22, 2012
By that logic, Andrew Hutchinson is the greatest former Predator of all-time.
Patten - February 22, 2012
Haha, well he already has Rich Peverley…what about Brett Lebda – he won a Cup too!
DonBorvio - February 22, 2012
and Forsberg
how’s the ankle these days anyway?
Brenthrax - February 22, 2012
Are you going to ask Kariya about how his PCS is doing too? Sheesh.
DonBorvio - February 22, 2012
Mediocre.
davisca - February 23, 2012 via Android app
Vokoun
Basically any player that left here when it wasn’t his decision to do so.
predrock - February 22, 2012
Karlis Skrastins
…but that would require a miracle at this point.
Griz-ATL - February 22, 2012
too soon?
Brenthrax - February 22, 2012
He’s on my NHL 12 team that I drafted.
DonBorvio - February 22, 2012
I loved Karlis.
davisca - February 22, 2012 via Android app
Think it was Dreger
that said Edmonton wants a roster player for Hemsky. Do we do that?
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
nope. I don’t think Poile is as enthused about Hemsky as the HockeyyInsiderrs would have us believe. He’s a playmaker, not a goal scorer. This team has enough of them. That was the jist of what Poile said yesterday.
Predadave - February 22, 2012
then again, if that roster player was Smithson or Yip…
Predadave - February 22, 2012
Bob McKenzie tweets
that Ruutu is about to sign a 4 yr extension in Carolina. Another option off the table.
Me thinks we need Dallas, Buffalo, or possibly Anaheim/Colorado/Minn to lose some ground in the standings this weekend.
Of course GMDP could go get the AK to play along side SK74.
wrandsw - February 22, 2012
putting the tits brothers back together may be extraordinary bad……..
901predfan - February 22, 2012
2 tits may be a handful…
Predadave - February 22, 2012
Sergei has more points than Andrei right now. I’d rather get someone who is producing more than that….
davisca - February 23, 2012 via Android app
If we had a cloning machine, we could have the Total Recall line!
DonBorvio - February 23, 2012
Other than being cute to have them both, I see no reason to get the other Kostitsyn. The Preds have the better one.
Patten - February 22, 2012
Yes! Agreed!
davisca - February 23, 2012 via Android app
I know this is a little long, but the errors, the errors.
From Yahoo
According to TSN, the San Jose Sharks “are emerging as a strong contender” for Nash. The site’s sources say that the team “initially targeted Logan Couture,” but the Blue Jackets said they wouldn’t trade him.
So… Columbus and Edmonton are in the Eastern Conference, and Logan Couture plays for Columbus.
cisar - February 22, 2012
Dropped some of the quote, here it is
cisar - February 22, 2012
Yahoo Sports and The Tennessean get their stats/info from the same place, methinks
Predadave - February 22, 2012
and they just traded vermette to PHX
JBoogie22 - February 22, 2012 via iPhone app
Radulov!
But how long until that happens? Other than him, I’d love to have Zanon, Arnott and Brunette back. SOB would be #4 on my list.
Klein(er) - February 22, 2012
Dumont. I wouldn’t welcome him back to the team, but to the ‘Stone? Hell yeah. The first couple of years in Nashville were good. He was in Nashville every summer. I met the guy at the airport with his family once. He obviously had his hands full, but we asked him for a picture and autograph, he said sure, but the security line was moving to fast (I know! It was a small miracle) and we got separated. After security, I was sitting there putting on my shoes and I look up and the guy is headed toward me. He made the effort to track us down even though he had his family with him. I just think he was really good for Nashville. As was Sully. Martin Gelinas is still with the team, but he also put out that "I’m here for the fans" vibe. Actually, every hockey player I’ve ever met was like that. Could you imagine Vince Young tracking a fan down after security to give them a photo op?
Dumont'sShorts - February 22, 2012
Re: Vince Young
Hahahahahahaha.
No.
davisca - February 23, 2012 via Android app
Jason Arnott
On sort of a tangent, does anybody else think maybe Arnott would have gotten a more positive response if he wasn’t made captain? As a player, I think we got our moneys worth, but as a captain, I feel like he left a lot to be desired.
Dumont'sShorts - February 22, 2012
Yo Peeps, what gives..
don’t see any references to Paul Kariya. He seemed to be a quiet reserved personality to some degree, but he was a fabulous hockey player. 161 points in 2 seasons w/ the team. how easily we forget…
predsbelonginblue - February 23, 2012
I freaking love Paul Kariya! I can’t believe he slipped my mind…. I met him once. He was a really cool guy.
davisca - February 23, 2012 via Android app
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