POTG guests on All the Kings Men podcast

As we muddle through the dog days of the lockout, I had the opportunity to guest on All The Kings Men podcast that was taped on Monday night. Thanks to Jesse Cohen and The Royal Half (aka Mr. Half) for having me on.

It was one of the more fun shows that I have participated in lately. We touched on a wide range of topics and even talked a little Dixie Flyers and "Predator Gold" jerseys.

Check it out here as well as the other shows in their series of "30 fans in 30 days" where they are making a run through the NHL with plenty of interesting folks.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

FS TN to present the best of the best for hockey starved fans

With the Preds opening game against the Red Wings cancelled on Friday and the home opener gone for Saturday night, the Predators and Fox Sports Tennessee have stepped in to provide historic video footage of  top games from the Predators' first 14 seasons to try to fill the void..

It all kicks off on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. when the Predators game five, series clinching win over the Detroit Red wings is re-aired. Make the jump for all the details about upcoming "Predators' Golden Classics"...

Could Nashville's future NHL All-Star Game bid be affected by the lockout?

At this point, Nashville Predator fans appear to be somewhat optimistic that the current NHL lockout will be relatively short-lived and that their beloved Preds will be on the ice sooner than later.

Many pundits and "experts" point to the New Year's Day Winter Classic as a key date that the NHL owners, the NHLPA, as well as their broadcast partner, NBC feel that will need to take place to maintian the leagues viability as a major sport in the United States.

So what if it doesn't get resolved by year's end, or if it does, what if this year's All-Star game in Columbus is cancelled with additional regular season games added to the schedule in it's place?

Nashville, with its brand-spanking new Music City Center, set to be completed next year, adjacent to Bridgesone Arena, has been considered to be the front-runner for the next NHL All-Star game.

Prior to the lockout, there was uncertainty as to whether or not NHL players would play in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which has precluded All-Star games from being held in Olympic years.

If the 2013 All-Star game were to be cancelled, would Columbus automatically be given the next one to be awarded?

Adam Proteau, of the Hockey News, recently looked at what occurred after the 2005 game was cancelled in Atlanta. There was no game in 2006 due to the Olympics. On January 23, 2006, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman disappointed the Thrasher faithful by giving the 2007 All-Star game to Dallas.

Atlanta had to wait until 2008 to finally celebrate the NHL's All-Star's visit to the Phillips Arena.

So basically, you would assume, that the Nashville Predators, as well as city officials are hoping for a quick resolution to the NHL lockout so that the picture will not be clouded with compitition from Columbus for the next All-Star game, which with NHL Olympic participation, would be in 2015.

This is just one of many unknowns as the NHL lockout trudges along with no end in sight.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators fill the gap with activities and games the next two Saturdays

Prior to the cancellation of the first two weeks of the NHL season, the Nashville Predators were scheduled to have a pair of the season's best draws on the first two Saturdays of the year.

On Saturday, October 13, the St. Louis Blues were set to invade Bridgestone Arena to defend their Central Division title on the Predators' home opening night.

A week later, on October 20th, the Predators had a visit from the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the agenda.

Unfortunately, those games will not happen, along with home games with the Avalanche and Canucks during the week of October 14.

That has not prevented the Predators from doing their best to stay front and center in the hearts and minds of their loyal fans and season ticket holders.

This Saturday, October 13, The Predators are planning an series of events that will include a plaza party, open skate, youth hockey games, movie night and the Social Media Scavenger Hunt.

The scavenger hunt will begin at 10 a.m and run until 2:30 p.m. Predators' season tickets, as well as tickets to all other concerts at Brigdestone Arena, await the grand prize winners.Go here for complete details of the hunt.

The following Saturday, October 20, Nashvillians will get a rare chance to experience minor league hockey action when 102.5 The Game will present a preseason SPHL game between the Knoxville Ice Bears and Huntsville Havoc at Bridgestone Arena.

Game time will be at 7 p.m. and will be free to Predator season ticket holders and $10.25 to the public. All proceeds will go to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as part of the Nashville Predators’ We Care for Kids program in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

Earlier in the day there will be Adult Skills Development Clinic at 1:30 p.m. CT, followed by a Vanderbilt University Alumni game at 4 p.m. Go here for details on all of the day's activities.

With NHL games being cancelled, the Nashville Predators are to be commended to doing their best to keep the Predator spirit alive in Smashville.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators staff continues longstanding tradition of "Community Relations Week"

While the NHL-NHLPA labor dispute trudges onward with no end in sight. The Nashville Predators organization will continue its annual "Community Relations Week."

Normally, all of the Predators' players divide up and make appearances at many of the organizations that benefit from the efforts of the Predators Foundation. This year, Nashville Predators staff members, broadcasters, coaches and personalities will be filling in for the players all over town.

Make the jump to see all the locations and who will be where...

Do I miss the NHL? Not any more!

I saw this instead of a meaningless pre-season game

A week from tonight should have been the Predators home opener against the St. Louis Blues in a critical game as this year's version of the Preds had the best shot of winning the division title in franchise history.

I'm still a believer in the Preds potential this season (if there is one) as I placed bets on the Preds to win the Western Conference as well as the Stanley Cup when I was at Harvey's Casino in Lake Tahoe earlier this week. Granted, I was playing with house money that I collected on a wager from last season when I bet on  Pekka Rinne to have the most NHL wins for the year.

What I'm not a believer in is spending a moment worrying about missing hockey due to the incredibly ridiculous "lockout" with the first two weeks of the season having already been written off.

Screw everyone involved in the process.

One of the most respected writers in the business, and president of the PHWA, Kevin Allen, laid it out simply for all parties as to where it will inevitably end up at a 50/50 split of "hockey related revenue."

At this point, both sides are posturing for the best outcome for their sides. Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr are to be commended for their efforts for the parties that they represent.

However, they should be condemned for what they are doing to the fans and the workers who depend on games being played in order to put food on the table for their families.

I personally am losing income, based on web page hit count, because I refuse to put up a post every day about nonsense about negotiations and things that don't matter for a season that never was (so far).

Will I be all excited and ready to write daily updates about the Predators when, and if there is a new CBA and hockey returns? At this point, I really don't know.

I have had plenty to keep me occupied in the last couple of weeks during what should have been the preseason when I could have been talking to Austin Watson or many of the other Pred's prospects about their first real shot at the NHL during training camp.

I have traveled to Crater Lake and the Oregon coast, spent the night at Point Arena Lighthouse, and went to Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. In my travels, I didn't meet one person who gave a flying flip about the NHL or the lockout, and I didn't either.

Last night, I came completely unglued over the horrible call on the "infield fly" ruling in the Atlanta Braves wild-card game with the Cardinals. Was I missing NHL hockey? Not at all. I was emotionally tied to my former favorite sports franchise, the Braves.

Tonight, I'm trying to absorb four college football games that I normally would have ignored if hockey was staring next week. Am I thinking about hockey? Not at all other than realizing that I don't miss it while I tie in to other things.

The NHL and the NHLPA should be concerned when a writer who has committed forty to fifty hours a week to their cause in exchange for minimal income finds other ways to pass time.

Therefore, I don't want to hear about negotiations on non-financial points or anything else that desperate hockey writers want to post as news until there is something real to discuss..

When an agreement is signed on the dotted line, wake me up and see if I care.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators renew agreement with Cincinnati

While the NHL Predators continue to be locked out of Bridgestone Arena, some Predator prospects will again be playing in Cincinnati for the Cyclones of the ECHL again this season.

The Predators announced that their agreement with the team would continue this season which will allow Preds prospects as well as those hoping to earn as spot in Milwaukee a place to play. Here is the full release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS RENEW AFFILIATION WITH THE CINCINNATI CYCLONES
- Predators’ secondary developmental affiliate the past five seasons has won two Kelly Cup titles since 2008-

Nashville, Tenn. (October 5, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has renewed its affiliation with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones. The Cyclones have served as Nashville’s secondary developmental affiliate since the 2007-08 season, winning a pair of Kelly Cup titles (2008 and 2010) in that span.

The Cyclones will function as a developmental affiliate for both Nashville, and its primary developmental affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. Cincinnati plays its home games at the 14,453-seat U.S. Bank Arena, located downtown next to Great American Ballpark.

“Partnering with a franchise that has a tradition of winning, in a city with a strong hockey history, will allow our players to develop as professionals in a successful environment,” Predators Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton said. “We are confident that those Cyclones who are called upon will contribute consistently to the success of the Milwaukee Admirals.  The Predators are excited to continue our relationship with the Cyclones.”

Founded in 1990 as an ECHL franchise, the Cyclones competed in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1992-2001.  The Cyclones went 23-17-4 (.568 winning percentage) in games versus Milwaukee during that nine-year stretch.  After the IHL ceased operations in 2001, the Cyclones returned to the ECHL for three more seasons.

After two seasons of inactivity – including one without professional hockey in Cincinnati – the Cyclones rejoined the ECHL in time for 2006-07, and quickly captured two Kelly Cup championships (2008 and 2010), two North Division titles (2008 and 2009), a Brabham Cup (league’s best record) and made three consecutive trips to the American Conference Finals (2008, 2009 and 2010).

During Cincinnati’s run to the 2010 Kelly Cup, Predators 2007 second-round pick Jeremy Smith garnered co-playoff MVP honors, minding the Cyclones net in 17 of their 24 games. In 2011-12, Nashville prospects Chet Pickard (2008 first-round pick), Taylor Aronson (2010 third-round pick) and Ben Ryan (2007 fourth-round pick) all saw time with the club.

The Cyclones have been under the guidance of Head Coach Jarrod Skalde since the 2010-11 season. The Niagara Falls, Ont., native has 20 years of service in professional hockey, 17 as a player in the NHL, IHL, AHL and overseas, and as a head coach since 2008.

The ECHL is the leading professional developmental league for the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.  The league began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast circuit that will see 23 teams playing in 16 states in 2011-12, its 25th season.  There have been nearly 500 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

Since the NHL is in a lockout... (Part 3)

...the Predators decided to send us a nice box in the mail with tickets for events that may never be held.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Since the NHL is in a lockout... (Part 2)

What are you doing this weekend? Hanging with us, that's what!

Your favorite Nashville Predators blogs are banding together in the name of a good time! Hockey Night in Nashville, Inside Smashville, Section303, Puck Scene, Smashville 24/7, Preds On the Glass and Penalty Box Radio are all inviting you to forget all about the lockout and join some of us at The Belcourt on Friday at 6:00pm.

Award-winning comedian Mike Birbiglia has been touring the country for over 10 years. He's released successful albums such as Dog Years (2004), Two Drink Mike (2006) and My Secret Public Journal Live (2007) as well as a hilarious DVD entitled What I Should Have Said Was Nothing (2008). His most recent effort, Sleepwalk With Me, started as an album, became a best selling book and is now a feature film.
The film version is making its way to Nashville for a limited run and we want you to experience it with us! After all, there's no pre-season anymore so you might as well get together with 100 of your closest friends and come on out for a good time!

Tickets are just $8.75 for adults and $7.25 for students, children and military members. Speaking of children, if you're wondering whether you can bring your kids, the film isn't rated but Birbiglia tweeted that the rating would be PG-13.

Sleepwalk has earned an 86% fresh rating on movie review site Rotten Tomatoes so you know it's going to be a good time. Plus, several of your favorite Predators bloggers are Birbigs-heads, which often results in random Birbiglia-reciting up on bloggers row during Predators games. (If that's not a testament to his humor, we don't know what is.) Birbiglia was our guest on The 303:30 back in September of 2009, just days before his last live gig in Music City.

CLICK HERE to get your tickets, then join us on Friday night at the Belcourt.

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Jeremy Gover Special for PredsOntheGlass

NHL Cancels September Preseason Games

Not unexpectedly, the National Hockey League has cancelled all preseason games through September 30, 2012 as well as delaying the Kraft Hockeyville game in Belleville, Ontario until 2013. Here is the official release from the NHL...


NHL announces cancellation of preseason schedule through Sept. 30

NEW YORK – The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012 preseason schedule through Sept. 30. In addition, the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville preseason game, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Belleville, Ontario, has been postponed to 2013.

The cancellation of the schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL.

While the Kraft Hockeyville game has been postponed, many of the scheduled celebrations in the winning community of Stirling-Rawdon, Ontario, will proceed as planned beginning on Sept. 30.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Since the NHL is in a lockout... (Part 1)

Since the NHL is in a lockout, we need to find new ways to amuse ourselves. September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day so... "Drink up me 'earties, yo ho."


A Pirate's Life For Me (Yo Ho)

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villians and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators sign Craig Smith as countdown to the lockout continues

With less than six hours remaining before the NHL owners are expected to lockout the players, the Nashville Predators announced that they have signed forward Craig Smith to a two year contract extension.

This season will be the final year of Smith's entry level contract that will pay him $900,000 this year. Here is the full release from the Predators...


NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN CRAIG SMITH TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (September 15, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Craig Smith to a two-year, $4 million contract that will pay him $2 million in both 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Smith, 23 (9/5/89), tied for seventh among all NHL rookies in goals (14) and assists (22), and ranked eighth in points (36) in 72 games during the 2011-12 season. The point and assist totals were the second highest by a rookie in Predators franchise history. The 6-0, 196-pounder also tied for second among first-year NHLers in power-play goals (6), and participated in the rookie portion of the 2012 All-Star Weekend.

A native of Madison, Wis., Smith was Nashville's sixth choice, 98th overall (fourth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft. He spent two seasons at the University of Wisconsin from 2009-11, notching 76 points (27g-49a) in 82 games and helping the Badgers advance to the 2010 NCAA National Championship Game. He has represented the United States at the past two World Championships, being named one of Team USA’s three best players at the 2011 World Championships after leading the team in goals (3) and ranking second in points (6).

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

Predators sign Kevin Klein to five-year extension

Less than twelve hours before NHL owners plan to lock out the players, the Nashville Predators signed defenseman Kevin Klein to a cap friendly five-year, $14.5 million contract that solidifies another piece of the Preds' blueline for the next six seasons.

Klein is entering the final year of a three year contract that has paid him $1.35 million a year and the new deal will run through the 2017-18 season. Here is the full release from the Predators...

Predators load up the bus to Milwaukee prior to lockout

Friday was originally planned as the day that the Nashville Predators' rookies and younger players would report to camp to seek furtherance of their career in the National Hockey League.

It turned out to be a horse of a different color with the pending lockout set for Saturday night at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Instead of heading to Smashville for a chance at "the show," twenty three players are headed elsewhere for the start of camp.

The Milwaukee Admirals will be the primary beneficiary of 22 top Preds prospects while recent signee, Colton Sissons, has been loaned to his junior team in the WHL.

Make the jump for the full release from the Predators...

Predators sign Bourque as the clock winds down

With the probable lockout looming just hours away, the Nashville Predators signed Gabriel Bourque to a new two-year deal that will start in the 2013-14 season after his entry level deal expires this season.

Interestingly, there is no mention of it being a two-way deal so the Preds appear confident that he will be in Smashville for good after the coming season. Here is the full release from the Predators...


NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN BOURQUE TO A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (September 14, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Gabriel Bourque to a two-year, $1.55 million contract which starts with the 2013-14 season. The deal will pay him $725,000 in 2013-14 and $825,000 in 2014-15.

Bourque, 21 (9/23/90), posted 19 points (7g-12a) in 43 games during his rookie NHL season in 2011-12, ranking ninth in points per game among rookies who appeared in at least half their team’s games (.44). During the 2012 playoffs, the 5-10, 192-pound winger tied for the team lead in goals (3), and ranked third in points (5), also ranking among the rookie leaders in both categories. Bourque set franchise records for points (3g-1a-4pts) and plus-minus rating (+5) by a rookie in a playoff series in Nashville’s Western Conference Quarterfinal victory vs. Detroit, which included scoring two goals, including the game winner, in his NHL playoff debut in Game One, making him the third player in the last 14 playoff years to attain the feat.

The Rimouski, Que., native – selected 132nd overall (fifth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft – helped Moncton win the 2010 President’s Trophy as QMJHL Champions and advance to the 2010 Memorial Cup, being awarded the 2010 Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoffs MVP in the process. Bourque earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

An alternative view of the NHL lockout

On Saturday night at 11:59 p.m. EDT, the National Hockey League plans to lockout the players if no new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached before the deadline.

As it currently stands, no meetings are planned and the sides are miles apart. In 2004, the last time that the CBA was up for grabs, there was a three month delay before further negotiations were attempted and eventually the entire season was lost.

Hockey fans lived through the ordeal when the 2004-05 season was the first season completely lost due to labor strife in the history of North American professional sports. The NHL returned after the layoff with new rules that quickened the pace of the game and fans quickly returned to the sport that they loved.

The NHL and the NHL Players Association are again banking on the fan's patience and their assumption that fans will put another lockout behind them and return in the same manner.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman offended many fans last month when he arrogantly stated "We recovered last time because we have the world’s greatest fans."

That may have worked in 2004 but will it fly once again?

I was probably one of the few followers of the game that actually enjoyed the time away from the rink during the last lockout. I had two son's playing hockey and a mother living out her last few months of life. I had plenty to do and made lasting memories with my boys and mother  instead of going to NHL games.

When hockey returned, I did too, and was somewhat refreshed from a year where I didn't drive 100 miles fifty times in a six month period to attend games.

Now as we await the lockout keys turning, instead of being up in arms that the owners and players will give fans the middle finger once again, fans should start planning how to live life to its fullest.

I really like Jiff peanut butter. If it suddenly became unavailable I would not be happy. I would begrudgingly buy Skippy or Peter Pan and move on.

Hockey fans should do the same. Go to minor or junior games or if you are really Jonesing for a cold building, go watch a bunch of kids play at the local house league. Football, pro or college, the baseball postseason, or many other sports are not affected by the lockout if you savor the stadium experience.

Better yet, check out other things that you have never been able to do in the fall because of your dying allegiance to the sport of hockey. With all the money saved on tickets, parking and food and beverages, there are plenty of options out there.

Each dollar you don't spend on "hockey related revenue" is one dollar less for the millionaires to fight over. At some point, they may miss a few of your dollars and decide to play hockey again.

My suggestion is that fans tune out all the negotiations (or lack of them) and try to live life to its fullest in the extra time you are being given. Time is one of the few things that you can't make more of or increase. Value every minute and don't waste it worrying about something that is completely out of your control.

Personally, I am enjoying the extra time I have been given and have not used one ounce of emotional energy being upset about the lack of hockey. I'm not the least bit concerned about the players or owners since, to an extent, they control their own destiny.

The folks that we should be concerned about in this whole mess are all the folks who depend on NHL games to put food on the family table by working part-time jobs at the rink or are in businesses that depend on 41 home games to make payroll and keep the doors open. Our prayers go out to them.

In summary, I'm sure everyone is hopeful for a quick resolution to the situation but instead of being upset, consider it a vacation and enjoy the extra time you have with your family and friends.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Fox Sports to televise at least 68 Predators games

In a joint announcement from the Nashville Predators and Fox Sports TN, it was revealed that 68 Predators games are scheduled to be televised over the Preds TV network this season. All will be available in HD.

Additionally, NBC Sports Network will televise three games so that 40 of 41 road games will be televised as well as 31 home games. Here is the link to the complete schedule.

Make the jump for the full release from the Preds and FSTN...

Blum, last Predators' RFA, signs one-year, two-way deal

With an NHL lockout two days away, the Nashville Predators signed RFA Jon Blum to a new one-year, two-way contract. Here are the details from the Preds...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN BLUM TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Nashville, Tenn. (September 13, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jonathon Blum to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

Blum, 23 (1/30/89), played in 33 games with Nashville in 2011-12, recording seven points (3g-4a), and 48 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, notching 26 points (4g-22a). The 6-1, 191-pound blueliner saw his first action with the Predators in 2010-11, playing 23 regular season games before suiting up for all 12 of the team’s 2011 postseason contests, recording two assists and ranking fourth among team defensemen in average ice time (18:51). In 56 career regular season NHL contests, Blum has 15 points (6g-9a).

A native of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Blum became the first native of the Golden State to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft when Nashville selected him 23rd overall in the 2007 Entry Draft. Blum rounded out a decorated junior career with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) in 2009 by being named CHL Defenseman of the Year, and as the franchise’s all-time leader in defensive scoring (248gp, 49g-155a204pts). During his tenure, the team claimed four division titles, two conference titles, a WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators sign Colton Sissons to ELC

With the NHL lockout looming on Saturday, things have been relativly quiet on the Predators' front. Nasville did announce the signing of 2012 second round draft pick, Colton Sissons, to a three-year entry-level contract today.

The details from the Predators follows...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN 2012 SECOND ROUNDER COLTON SISSONS

Nashville, Tenn. (September 13, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2012 second-round draft pick Colton Sissons (KOHL-tuhn SIH-suhnz) to a three-year entry-level contract.

Sissons, 18 (11/5/93), is entering his second season as captain of the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets in 2012-13. A season ago, the 6-0, 187-pound right wing ranked second on Kelowna in goals (26), and tied for third in points (41), in addition to pacing the club in power-play goals (13). Sissons also captained Team Orr to a 2-1 victory at the 2012 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game and served as an alternate captain for Team WHL at the 2011 Subway Super Series.

The North Vancouver, B.C., was Nashville's second choice, 50th overall (second round), in 2012 Entry Draft, and says he models his game after Predators forward Mike Fisher.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Smashville on the Glass Radio with guest Chris Johnston

After a summer hiatus, Ryan Porth and I returned with a new "Lockout Looming" edition of Smashville on the Glass Radio.

No one has been closer to the negotiations than Chris who is the primary hockey writer for the Canadian Press and NHL Network panelist. Chris gives his insight and has a surprisingly optimistic outlook that hockey will return sooner than many have speculated.

Ryan also has an interview with Colin Wilson and there is plenty of Preds discussion to round out the show. Take a listen in the following player or go to iTunes to download.

Listen to internet radio with SmashvilleOnTheGlass on Blog Talk Radio

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass