Bunch of Mid-Day Pred News and a Clarification

Several things have transpired today with the Predators. John Glennon cleared up the squirrely ending to Barry Trotz's postgame presser where the question of Jason Arnott leaving the bench wasn't fully addressed.

Barry Trotz has agreed to "swear on a Bible" that there wasn't an issue other than an "upper body" injury with Arnott. I'm glad that is resolved.

The injury update now includes Steve Sullivan and Marty Erat as probable for Saturday's game with Anaheim and Joel Ward and Jason Arnott are questionable.

Pekka Rinne will break the alternating goalie scenario that has been going for for the last eight games as he will start his second game in a row against the Ducks. Pekka never really looked comfortable last night but did cover for numerous Pred mistakes against a feisty Canes team.

Here is a video of the hit on Steve Sullivan by Andrew Alberts for those who have not seen several angles on it.



Swap with Milwaukee...

The Preds also swapped Mike Santorelli and Cal O'Reilly and did so in a way that neither will have to clear waivers.

Here is the Preds Press Release on the swap...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS RECALL CAL O’REILLY FROM MILWAUKEE
-Also reassign Santorelli to the Admirals-

Nashville, Tenn. (January 8, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled center Cal O’Reilly from Milwaukee (AHL), and reassigned forward Mike Santorelli to the Admirals.

O’Reilly, 23 (9/30/86), has one assist in nine games during two previous stints with Nashville this season (Oct. 15-29 and Dec. 4-10). Named to the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic on Dec. 29, the Toronto, Ont., native is ranked fifth in the AHL in assists (26), and tied for eighth in points (35), in 31 games. Nashville’s fourth choice, 150th overall (fifth round), in the 2005 Entry Draft has six points (3g-3a) in 20 contests since making his NHL debut on Feb. 28, 2009.

Santorelli, 24 (12/14/85), was held pointless in four games during his most recent recall to the Predators (Dec. 31-Jan. 7). In 25 games at the NHL level in 2009-10, the Vancouver, B.C., native has posted three points (2g-1a). He has 17 points (9g-8a) in 15 points for the Admirals this season.

The Predators close out a four-game homestand tomorrow night when they host the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m. (WGFX-104.5 The Zone). Tickets to this game, and all other regular season contests, are now on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.

Fenway Revisited...

One final item that I failed to mention this morning was a reminder for the Men's and Women's College Double header on the NHL network from the ice at Fenway. Here is the NHL Network schedule for the US (all times CST).

3:00: Northeastern Women vs. New Hampshire Women Outdoors at Fenway
5:30: Sun Life Frozen Fenway Postgame Show
6:30: Boston College vs. Boston University Outdoors at Fenway

Here are a couple of articles from Inside Hockey's Tim Rosenthal on the women's game and the men's game with video included in both posts.

Unrelated to hockey, but big news for Nashville is a report from the Nashville Post of proposed "free" wireless for the downtown area with potential for expansion to other areas.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass