The talk of the hockey world this morning is the worst-kept secret of the last few weeks, that the 2013 NHL Winter Classic will be held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, featuring the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. You can find the whole scoop over at NHL.com, but in the meantime, there's lots of other things to talk about this morning.
After the jump, we have one slightly disgruntled Predator, another who is finally delivering on the potential we've seen for so long, and one more who's just happy to be here...
Is it possible neither to over or underwhelm, but simply to whelm? For the Preds' Martin Erat, yes. - Nashville Scene
Can this really be the year that Marty delivers that 60-70 point season that David Poile talked so often about in summers past?
Preds Still Can’t Flip the Script Against Vancouver - Predators AJenda
As hot as the Preds have been of late, the fact that they still can't beat Vancouver on home ice has to be a bit troubling, writes AJ.
Paul Fenton Will Run An NHL Team, the Question Is Which One | Edmonton Journal
Jonathon Willis makes the Predators' Assistant GM the latest installment in his potential-GM series.
Smashville 24/7: Conversation with Brandon Yip
Ryan chats up the newest Pred.
Reduced role stings Smithson as Predators keep rolling along | Nashville City Paper
Smithers isn't happy, and that's a good thing.
Nashville Predators' Mike Fisher prepares to face former team - The Tennessean
Somebody needs to make sure that Fish doesn't go into the wrong dressing room tonight.
Agents of Change: Ritch Responds – Goalie Analytics
An interesting read here, as agent Ritch Winters talks about the application of advanced hockey stats to the evaluation of goaltenders. I'm a big fan of work like this, to try and tease out the difference in defensive contribution by the skaters vs. the goalie.
When NHL Fans (and Media) Cross the Line | All Habs
One of the great attractions about playing in Nashville? It's not Montreal.
The Dark Blue Jacket: A Savior is Born
Is Vinny Prospal the foundation of what Columbus is going to attempt to build over the next few years?
New York Rangers Trade Rumors: Discussing The Rick Nash Rumors - Blueshirt Banter
What, having Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik isn't enough for the New York Rangers?
Honey I Eight(een) The Winning Streak: Red Wings 4 - Oilers 2 - Winging It In Motown
18 wins in a row on home ice for the Detroit Red Wings? Wow...
Game 54 Recap: A Tribute to Miikka Kiprusoff or, How I Became a Flames Fan - Matchsticks and Gasoline
The Flames took care of the Sharks behind Olli Jokinen's hat trick and a milestone win for Miikka Kiprusoff.
What Makes Miikka Kiprusoff So Special - The Goalie Guild
A tribute to the Calgary keeper on his 300th career win, which includes the video of a mind-blowing save late in the game.
0 recs | 52 comments
Should be a cool venue for the Classic. It is an iconic venue, and they will pack the fans in like sardines. That says alot coming from a Buckeye.
Tide311 - February 9, 2012
Agree
However, the tv ratings are what we should be keeping an eye on. If the ratings are significantly lower for this game I doubt we see another Canadian team in the Winter Classic anytime soon.
Predaceous - February 9, 2012
Just think of all the Red Wings fans and Americans cheering against Toronto. Then think about all the hockey fans and Canadians that just want to see the Wings lose. There’s the potential for massive ratings.
3DLink - February 9, 2012
Yeah...
…this is a mini-olympics. Go USA.
I refuse to make any audible congratulatory sounds during the game for the Red Wings. However, I will only nod in approval of a Canadian team being scored on. Silently. Almost begrudgingly.
Poiju - February 9, 2012
I’ll be cheering for Toronto, sorry.
DonBorvio - February 9, 2012
count me on team Toronto for that one as well. We’ll be in a points race with the Wings, and an EC team beating them can only be a good thing
3DLink - February 9, 2012 via Android app
LEAFNATION
Klein(er) - February 9, 2012
The ONLY time I will cheer for the Red Wings...
…is when it helps the Preds in the standings. Otherwise I wish them nothing but pain and suffering. I’ll be hoping for the Wings’ total humiliation on New Years’ Day 2013.
Smashville HockeyCat - February 9, 2012
I'm not sure about Canadian networks
I know that Canada doesn’t get NBC or NBC Sports, so the only way Canadians can watch the game is if TSN or CBC or someone like that picks up the game. Does anyone know for sure if the Canadian networks pick up the Winter Classic?
JDesthubert - February 9, 2012
I have no idea. Did you get it this year?
davisca - February 9, 2012
Found out that CBC dos pick the game up.
And hey, Minnesota may be north, but we still get NBC. I didn’t watch the game, as I detest Philly and New York sports teams, but I get NBC.
JDesthubert - February 9, 2012
That’s good!
davisca - February 9, 2012
Believe it—every fan in southern Ontario will be watching the game on WGRZ-TV Channel 2 from Buffalo.
Hockey Hillbilly - February 9, 2012
Or WDIV-TV Channel 4 from Detroit.
Hockey Hillbilly - February 9, 2012
We do get the game on CBC
We do in fact have NBC. We used to get games on NBC but not this season because of the new channel…NBC Sports
Klein(er) - February 9, 2012
That's How They Need To Market That Game
I don’t think a lot of Americans care one iota about the Canadian teams, and the only way they’ll watch it is if they think some sort of national pride is on the line. Even if that national pride is invented. It’ll be interesting to see how the NHL markets the game.. or if they market it at all.
Predaceous - February 9, 2012
TV ratings shouldn't be too much of a problem...
… these are two big time rivals.
djzielin - February 9, 2012
Oh, man
what a shocking surprise. At least they announced it now rather than trying to get people excited about something they’ve known for months.
3DLink - February 9, 2012
Well, since they can't play football...........
……..maybe it would make for a good ice hockey rink?
Go Bucks!
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
Haha! The Big House really was a let down in atmosphere when I went there and seating was awful. Stand up, try and sit down and be at least a seat over…was in 97 though(Thanks Stanley Jackson) where Charles Woodson single handedly beat Ohio State. . Guess I am spoiled with the Shoe and Bryant Denny, etc in terms of loud atmosphere
I’d love to see the classic in an place like LSU’s Death Valley environment…but won’t happen due to obvious restrictions.
Tide311 - February 9, 2012
Why not the Shoe?
That’d be a great venue. Too bad the Blue Jackets suck as bad as they do.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
it is a hell of a lot louder now with the new press boxes.
djzielin - February 9, 2012
It has been 810 days since Ohio State has beaten the University of Michigan.
djzielin - February 9, 2012
In what? Swimming?
Did you just wake up from a coma or something? We’re talking about football here.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
So am I.
November 21, 2009.
djzielin - February 9, 2012
Michigan and OSU
What a cute rivalry.
Marcus Newman - February 9, 2012
Oh yeah, that's right.
Pryor didn’t beat them 37-7 two years ago. Yeah, I didn’t see that at all. It never happened, dontcha know?
We own you. The only way M comes close is when the NCAA suspends half our team (rightfully so) and forces us to go with a coach that plays Woody Hayes ball (3 yds and a cloud of dust). Meyer will set the earth on its appropriate axis again.
Damn, that was a great game last year though wasn’t it? I couldn’t believe the way it ended when the TD got called back and we had a shot to win. And so was the 2006 game. Great rivalry and I’m happy to see M playing well for the first time in 5+ years…that’s good for college football.
But you’re no Ohio State.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
I can’t believe I actually agreed with one of your comments on here…once. Never again! GO BLUE!
Griz-ATL - February 9, 2012
To Hell with you then.
And I always wondered who was the guy too dumb to spell out full words in his screen name. That explains a lot!
:)
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
How do you get a Michigan grad off your doorstep?
You pay him for the pizza.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
By the way I'm kidding.
Just in case there’s any confusion.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
no confusion at all. It comes with the territory. And I don’t deliver pizza’s. But if you want to Biggie size your value meal, I’m your guy. lol
Griz-ATL - February 9, 2012
+1
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
And if you need your brain operated on, I'm yours!
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 9, 2012
the 1990s were the exact opposite. I don’t think OSU could buy a win. :)
djzielin - February 9, 2012
And OSU still is nowhere near UM in head to head record.
djzielin - February 9, 2012
Congratulations
Now go buy a Bruce Springsteen record and “try and recapture a little of them glory years.”
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 10, 2012
811 days… :)
djzielin - February 10, 2012
One lucky game :P
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - February 11, 2012
That article about the loss to Vancouver...
…may be a little more “The Sky Is Falling” than I can agree with. For sure, the Canucks have won too many games in our barn, but that game had a different feel than the ones we played in the playoffs. Two bad moments unfortunately turned into two goals – but for the most part, the Preds played solidly enough to win.
Shootouts are essentially a crap shoot. The Preds had the momentum going into OT, and had that been playoff game, I would have given them the edge…or maybe this is just blatant homerism? Still, this team is different, and the sky is certainly not falling.
Smashville HockeyCat - February 9, 2012
I agree
That game felt completely different. Usually, when the Preds play Vancouver, I feel like the Canucks have 20 guys on the ice at all times and we’re struggling just to keep possession of the puck. This game did feel different. I thought the Preds controlled the tempo and took charge of the game more often than not. It’s a good trend I think.
Predaceous - February 9, 2012
I think we were great other than the 3rd period. Yikes was that one rough… but they still didn’t score during that period, so I guess that says something. I do think it was a solid game, though. Had Pekka not let in a couple of those goals in the 1st (there were two relatively soft ones), I think we could have won that one without blinking.
davisca - February 9, 2012
Agree with the Cat here. That game was different. I think we’re competing better against those guys, and the SOG is an indicator.
On the Marty article, I think we’re looking at what he can do when healthy. And that’s not an insignificant factor in the team’s success this year. We’ve been lucky with injuries. That’s a bit of a change from recent years.
el pucko - February 9, 2012
Knock on cheaply manufactured particle board/laminate wood imitation...
(It’s all I have available with the desk in front of me)
Smashville HockeyCat - February 9, 2012
It might not be possible
but the winter classic should not be announced until after most of the UFA period is over. Detroit/Toronto will have a slight advantage at bringing in UFA that want to play in the winter classic. (Think Suter, you know the predators will never play in one)
IG-PRED8 - February 9, 2012
Poile said if there was any chance of Classic coming to Nashville, it would be at Neyland Stadium.
But does Nashville have the weather to support that?
Klein(er) - February 9, 2012
Uh, no. I think Josh Cooper asked that question in his Q&A with Bettman when you he was in NYC covering the Rangers-Isles swing. His response was a diplomatic perhaps at best, but it screams no chance to me. ASG is better for this market.
el pucko - February 9, 2012 via Android app
In that interview Bettman said no to playing in Nashville
But said yes to Nashville playing in the Classic at another venue as the visiting team.
TitanPredBearFan - February 9, 2012
Yep.
I’m happy to do that! We don’t have the weather to support it.
davisca - February 9, 2012
Did they move it to Nashville?
Local UT fans will love this!
Josiah2729 - February 9, 2012
that makes no sense
Why play it there? So it looks empty? So parking can be a nightmare? Play it at the coliseum and add in some seats in the endzone then a dozen snow blowers up top for effect and we will out draw the titans lmao
Shadow23 - February 9, 2012 via iPhone app
playing in Nashville at Neyland Stadium is impossible
Do you mean LP Field?
Shawn Kehoe - February 9, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of On the Forecheck to post a comment.