Bruce Bennett - Getty Images
Forget the Stanley Cup, there's another trip to Las Vegas on the line if David Poile can pull off some magic over the next few weeks!
Chatter around the NHL is picking up now that the Trade Deadline is just 20 days away, but when you hear from general managers, it seems like things are quiet.
Too quiet, to use the old cliche? We'll see...
While reading this morning, listen in as Barry Trotz joined The Sports Revolution yesterday:
Barry Trotz on 1025 2012-02-06 (mp3)
Now, on to the news!
Save money on Preds tickets by taking the OTF Discount!
Poile prepared, pessimistic about deadline deal possibilities | Nashville City Paper
Is David Poile managing expectations here? Just as with other recent seasons, there are few confirmed "sellers" on the trade market right now, which makes landing a useful player very difficult.
Poile Looking for a Big Trade? Who Could be Out There? | The Predatorial
Kris lays out a number of possible trade targets, and has a little birdie telling him that Jeff Carter is not at all likely coming this way.
Time to Say Good-Bye to an Old Friend? | The Predatorial
Is Jerred Smithson in danger of being elbowed out of the way by some of the younger Preds?
Smashville 24/7: Fisher’s first year in Nashville has multi-dimensional impact
It's thumbs-up all around as the anniversary of the Mike Fisher trade approaches.
Hockey is Alive and Well in the South | The Hockey Writers
A St. Louis blogger visits Smashville and comes away impressed.
KHL scoring leader Alex Radulov loses teeth on post-slap shot high stick (Video) | Puck Daddy
Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark!
Nashville Predators look for playoffs payback vs. Vancouver Canucks - The Tennessean
Tonight marks the first time we've seen the Canucks in town since the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Predators' Mike Fisher sits out practice - The Tennessean
Fish apparently didn't feel well Sunday, so sat out practice just to make sure he's good for tonight.
Game 53: Canucks At Predators Preview: Can You Dig The Satisfaction? - Nucks Misconduct
Vancouver fans are feeling confident as the Canucks have won their last 4 games in Nashville (including playoffs).
NHL Western Conference trade deadline outlook – USATODAY.com
Kevin Allen provides quick capsules on where the West stands.
The Jeff Carter Market (Which Teams make Sense) - Matchsticks and Gasoline
Here's a look at where Carter might (or might not) fit.
Blues moves: Trade for a goal scorer? Not so fast.... - St. Louis Game Time
Does St. Louis need a sniper, or perhaps something else?
Goal-less Gomez | The Hockey Writers
Here's an anniversary of a different sort. Scott Gomez is making $7.5 million this season in Montreal, but hasn't scored a goal since February 5, 2011.
Formerly the sure-thing, can Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hold off competition for Calder? | Puck Daddy
We could be in for a doozy of a rookie scoring race. Craig Smith is in the hunt...
Gabriel Landeskog: Colorado's Calder Case | The Hockey Writers
Can the Avs rookie get back into the mix?
Which rebuild is better: Leafs or Oilers? - The Globe and Mail
Toronto has a playoff spot in sight, while Edmonton is circling the toilet bowl once again.
Belanger’s Third Year II | mc79hockey.com
Tyler's not thrilled at all with the prospect of Steve Tambellini continuing to lead the "rebuild" in Edmonton.
History Lessons: The Ancient Mystic Society of No Eddies - Backhand Shelf
You know what's the best thing to happen in hockey blogging this season? E (formerly of Theory of Ice) getting a bigger platform for her writing.
Ralph Nader has it wrong, fighting must remain in hockey | All Things Avalanche
Sure, Ralph Nader may indeed be wrong, but this defense of fighting doesn't convince me of anything.
The Islanders' Three Goalie Monte - Lighthouse Hockey
What a mess the Islanders have on their hands.
Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury Stalking Barrasso's Franchise Records - The Hockey Writers
Just like Ryan Miller set a franchise mark in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh goalie is about to, as well.
Jordan Leopold injures Sabres coach Lindy Ruff in practice with leg sweep (Update) | Puck Daddy
Man, just reading this hurts.
Out with concussion, Bouchard practices patience - USATODAY.com
Pierre-Marc Bouchard knows how long the road back to hockey can be. He missed over 100 games from March 2009 to December 2010 with a previous concussion.
Agents of Change: Ritch Responds – More Questions on Being an Agent
Ritch Winter shares the justification for agents targeting players as young as 14.
NHL JerseyWatch 2012: Rumor Edition - icethetics.info
Interesting items here about what next season might bring.
Hockey Prospectus | Prospectus Q & A: Howard Baldwin On Bringing The NHL To Hartford
You know, I don't think the road to NHL ownership begins with an interview at Hockey Prospectus. No disrespect intended, but Baldwin sounds like a loose cannon here.
Paging Brian Rafalski. Brian Rafalski to the Power Play: Coyotes 3 - Red Wings 1 - Winging It In Motown
Talk about expectations: "I can't recall a time when a first place overall team was this maddening to watch."
0 recs | 29 comments
How does our coach spell Pekka Rinne? M-V-P!
predrock - February 7, 2012
Like I said earlier, I saw Fisher at the pharmacy on Saturday night.
I wish I could have bet money on him skipping practice.
Aditya T (smashville) - February 7, 2012
Shouldn't Fisher
Have someone else who can get his meds for him? Like the team doctor? I just can’t imagine Peyton Manning standing in the Walgreens pharmacy line for his injured neck…
musamonster - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Oh, I can tell you why Mike Fisher goes and gets HIS OWN medicine (and why Peyton Manning would send someone else):
davisca - February 7, 2012
Oh right...
Peyton can send his wife, while Fisher’s wife can’t be seen in the pharmacy :)
musamonster - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Nah, Carrie Underwood just tells Mike, “Pshh… it’s your medicine! You go get it!”
davisca - February 7, 2012
I would love to see him here
but I have a really hard time believing that Matt Moulson is going to be traded.
Marcus Newman - February 7, 2012
Last night Chris Botta (New York Times, iirc?) tweeted that Moulson was one of the Islanders’ untouchables.
Chris Burton - February 7, 2012
HE'S ALIVE!
Aditya T (smashville) - February 7, 2012
Well, this is interesting.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/most-expensive-defense-nhl-145504863.html
CAustin - February 7, 2012
Ok! So Suter and Weber should get the rest of the farm. PR already has his share. Really, if our scorers-yes, I’m talking to you, SK-would score, then we would be golden. However, they first must shoot. Truly, I think we have the horses. They’re young yet, but they are coming on strong. If Mr. Suter can’t seem to see this, then perhaps it’s better he just say now that he wants to go to a team he thinks can get him a Stanley quickly and stop playing games, because at this point, I think that is what he is doing. jmo
amyinsparta - February 7, 2012
Yay!
Every time someone disses SK on here he scores! He is only tied for 2nd on the team right now.
Josiah2729 - February 7, 2012
Good, maybe tonite will see a hat trick!!!
amyinsparta - February 7, 2012
TITS, YOU PIECE OF CRAP, IF YOU DON’T EVEN ATTEMPT TO PRETEND TO SHOOT THE PUCK TONIGHT (and I’m being generous in that description), SO HELP ME GOD, I WILL COME DOWN THERE AND FIND YOU. DO NOT disappoint me. Or do! Whatever. I’m used to it by now
There, that should do it :)
davisca - February 7, 2012
Tits, I've got a statement for you too!
Shoot the #%(^
_)#!(%&) puck more and you'll score more @#*%)^)$&_*goals. Why does it take half a season before you'll get ^#(%)%(!}# SOG? Take that you $#&(*&)$!@! Belarussian!TSCinSFO - February 7, 2012
MOAR, MOAR!
davisca - February 7, 2012
No doubt. I had some not nice things to say about him a few weeks ago and then he goes out and puts up 8g-6a in 15 games. Back off my shit list….for now!
buckeye_jg - February 7, 2012
Interesting thought but w tonight putts us tied with the aarp team from motor city. Who seem to be having backup goalie issues too bad we cant catch them with this problem when we play them.
Also a note on the pp should we get one goal on it tonight and be perfect on the pk we would have the #1 pp in all the land. I will pause to let that sink in (incert dramatic pause then shear shock followed by realization the world will end this year because if this)
Shadow23 - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
A win tonight only gets us within 2 points but I heard this morning that Howard could be out as long as 6 weeks. Hopefully with some rust whenever he does return. Definitely time to TCB in a flash.
Marcus Newman - February 7, 2012
Oh man. You have NO IDEA how badly I want that #1 PP spot. Just to laugh in the faces of anyone and everyone in the hockey world who has ever said the Preds suck.
davisca - February 7, 2012
DonBorvio - February 7, 2012
DP
You wonder if he’s ever been in this position having to appease a couple players who threaten to leave if they don’t agree with some of the moves to help the team.
When you look at all the positives about playing here – no income tax, good team and coaches, goalie signed long term, a loud building, a growing rabid fan base it sucks that a guy like Suter is constantly whining about getting better players! Hey Ryan, show a little appreciation for the team that drafted you and has supported you from day one, geez.
virgil trucks - February 7, 2012
I don’t think Suter is constantly whining about getting better players. I don’t remember reading any quotes that I considered whining, let alone constantly doing it. The media and fans are the ones blowing things up, while all Suter said was he’s not going to make a decision until after the season. His motivation may very well be seeing what DP does with the team before he puts his name on a new contract, (either here or elsewhere) but I don’t think we should be giving him a bad rap for that.
buckeye_jg - February 7, 2012
Agreed. Thank you.
davisca - February 7, 2012 via Android app
I wouldn't call it whining...
but, he has said that the team needed a few pieces, or something along those lines. I remember reading it in the quotes from the All-Star fiasco.
Josiah2729 - February 7, 2012
Sure, and that’s reasonable! That’s a request for your GM to buff up your team a little bit… make ‘em scary! But yea, somehow I doubt he’s complaining about it all the time and/or whining to GMDP about it.
davisca - February 7, 2012
Absolutely
Hopping sports, people say Dan Marino might have won more if he had better players on his team. I say he was in a position to demand more of his team, or to demand a trade to a better team. As fans of a team, we hate when players put extra, possibly undue pressures on our team. But as an elite player, they have every right, maybe even a responsibility to demand more from the team.
musamonster - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Smithson shouldn't be left out
He is valuable our team with his experience, and can do many things that the younger guys can’t yet. I think we need him immensely.
TootooReigns - February 7, 2012
Stinkface
needs to be a scratch if everyone else is healthy. His abilities consist of winning faceoffs and blocking shots. Nothing else really there. He’s the non-fighter equivalent of McGratten. A specialist.
Shawn Kehoe - February 8, 2012
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