Tuesday, July 12, 2011

POTG Tuesday Headlines, News and Links

Preds fans are looking forward to Wednesday's Skate of the Union that is being advertised with a large banner on the ATT Building. Everyone knows that the new home sweater will be revealed but will there be other surprises?

After thoroughly looking at the list of available free agents, there is one name near the top of everyone's list that jumps out as a possibility if he remains unsigned on into the offseason. To me, it looks like Vaclav Prospal is the most interesting player on a list of poor choices.

You could put him on a line with fellow Czech, Mary Erat and see what happens. He has probably been edged out by Mike Richards in New York and is a UFA and still is receiving benefit of a buy out from the Lightning on a contract that would have ended next season.

Last season, after returning from injury, he scored 23 points in 29 games. In his last full season he had 20 goals and 38 assists in 75 games for an offensively impotent Rangers. If he could be had for about $1 million and put up 40 to 50 points, he could be a cheap pick up to produce points on a one year contract.

Make the jump for today's news and links...

Programming Note...

Today's guest on RLD Hockey Talk at noon CDT will be Los Angeles Kings play-by-play voice Bob Miller. With all the Kings offseason moves it will be a chance to catch up on what they should look like in October.

In Pred Nation...

Smashville 24/7 mixes and matches replacements for the departed so see what the Preds will look like in October.

David Boclair relates that David Poile looking at additional offense at some point this summer.

Dirk Hoag discusses expectations that will be set by tomorrow's Skate of the Union address. He also gives voters a guide to the Toast of Nashville competition.

Robby Stanley feels good that the key pieces to the Predators are still in place.

Crown Cubed looks at Niclas Bergfors as a value signing.

Aaron Sims ponder what I had heard previously that Anders Lindback may see some time in Milwaukee to get more work this fall.

Western Kentucky Predators thoughts are covered in a new blog called WacKY Hockey.

Mock Draft Mantra slams the Predators' draft picks and then picks them to win the President's Trophy.

Around the NHL...

Sean Fitz-Gerald had a brief interview with NHLPA head Donald Fehr on Monday. He says there is no reason for fans to worry.

Steve Yzerman tried to quell rumors about Steven Stamkos being traded once again. I'm sure the most anxious folks are the ones at NHL 12 who need to know what uniform for him to wear as this year's cover boy.

Ryan Porth updated his cap space and team needs chart. He also lays the groundwork for a discussion of Toronto making the playoffs next season.

Here is the Globe and Mail's top thirty remaining free agents.

Steve Lapore reports that the NHL has consolidated the sale of all ads hockey related with NBC. This will include NBC, Versus, NHL  Network, and internet and digital offerings. Here is more detail from from the NBC press release.

Does Detroit signing Joey MacDonald to a two-year deal signal the end for Chris Osgood.

Stanley Cup of Chowder has their top ten free agent signings that included three ex Preds. A couple of Preds could also be in the ten worst signing.

Michael Langlois wonders how many upper managers is too many at the Leafs seem to have a never ending supply of ex-NHL GMs.

Adam Jahns caught up with Blackhawk coach Joel Quenneville who is excited to have his shelves restocked again.

Adrian Dater has a neat story about a 16 year old that plays hockey with only one hand.

Odds and Ends...

Drinking and buying puppies appears to be a problem for one pet shop in New York City.

Google's first eBook device will go on sale at Target this week and will offer over three million free books.

So who is the most popular person on Google +? Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg.I guess the Google guys need a movie made after them. Here is a collaorative "How to" document for Google +.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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