Tuesday, June 15, 2010

POTG Radio Podcast with Russ Cohen and Tuesday Tidbits

Last night's POTG Radio was an excellent show. Russ Cohen of the XM Prospects Show gave plenty of insight into the ins and outs of this year's NHL Entry Draft that will start a week from Friday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Russ has been to every draft since 2001 and is an expert in how things are done and what to watch for, whether you are attending in person or following at home. His discussion will add to your enjoyment of this year's draft.

Due to contractual obligations, Russ did not reveal his 30 first round picks as that is saved for the Hockey Prospects show that will be on XM204/Sirius208 at 9:00 EDT both Saturday and Sunday this week. However, there were plenty of hints as to how things might fall.

We also discussed Russ's new book, Strike Three, which he co-wrote with Nikco Riesgo, which is about the never completed 1994 Major League Baseball season and Spring Training the following year when substitute players were used in Spring Training. He and I shared the personal trauma that we each experienced with the World Series that was never played.

Russ is also the author of 100 Ranger Greats and covers all sports at Sportsology.

It is a very fun and informative show and we invite you to listen or download at BlogTalkRadio or on iTunes.

Calder Cup Finale...

History was made on Monday night when the Hershey Bears beat the Texas Stars 4-0 to win the Calder Cup and top off the most successful season ever by an AHL team.

The Bears were the first team to repeat as Calder champs since 1991. They also set the regular season AHL record with 60 wins during the regular season as they finished 60-17-0-3.

Chris Bourque, son for former NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. He had 27 points in 21 games including seven goals and 20 assists.

Blake Geoffrion Signing...

Brentwood native, Blake Geoffrion will sign his first professional contract to play with the Predators in front of friends and family at the elementary school where he grew up.

This will be a special time not only in Blake's life, but for the Nashville Predators to bring a hometown player into the system where he will eventually play at the Bridgestone Arena.

Blake is a product of the Nashville youth hockey system who went on to star at the University of Wisconsin where he won the Hobey Barker Award as the best college player in the nation.

He will be one of the first home grown players from a "non-traditional" market to actually sign with his home town team.

In Pred Nation...

Forechecker looks at Geoffrion's pedigree and finds no match in any sport.

NHL.com makes the case for each of the Jack Adams Award finalists to win. Barry deserves to win one year but I would be surprised if he gets past Tippett.

Paul McCann has the plan for the last three episodes of Slapshot Radio.

Rachel at What The Puck has part three in her season wrap-up.

Barry Trotz is at 7-1 odds in Vegas to win the Jack Adams Award. Dave Tippett is a prohibitive 1-9 favorite.

Predators.com has a piece similar to Section 303 about young Pred prospects being sent to the Canada Junior development camp.

Around the NHL...

In a very poorly kept secret the Toronto Maple Leafs named Dion Phaneuf as their 17th captain. They also unveiled the new sweater.

The Chicago Blackhawks appeared on the tonight show last night with the Stanley Cup. Puck Daddy has the video.

Matt Rietz handed out the Mattias Nordtrom Trophy today which is awarded to the best defensive defenseman and a vote of bloggers from around the country, This is the second of five awards to be given out this week. odds are that you won't like the winner.

B D Galoff has an interview with David Burstyn of McKeen's Hockey about this year's draft.

Ryan at the RLD projects next year's cup favorites. This year's finalists are not included. He also makes the case for each of the Calder Trophy candidates - Tyler Myers, Matt Duchene, and Jimmy Howard.

Steve Lapore has the press release from the NHL extolling the best year ever.

The Ice Edge CEO is optimistic about their financing. That's one person. Who else is optimistic?

Pat Hoffman interviews Michelle Kenneth at Kukla's.

The National Sports Journalism Center has an excellent piece on the SB Nation roll out of local sites.

Men's Journal sent an intern to the NHL Combine to see if he could survive.

Odds and Ends...

Using the World Cup as real life diversity training is suggested at an HR site.

A new report says a Facebook "Fan" is worth $136.38 to a company. I think I should get a check or a coupon for about $25 for each time I become a "fan."

Riot police took on security guards at the World Cup. Allegedly it was over money but my bet was that the stupid horns finally put them over the edge.

For those who cant get enough of the Vuvuzela sound at the World Cup, here's a wav file that you can drive yourself crazy with.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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