Jose Theodore Speaks at The NHL Awards and Thursday Round-Up

There have been rumors in the past week that the Predators were interested in picking up Jose Theodore as a backup to Pekka Rinne.

Jim Diamond spoke with David Poile on Tuesday night and Poile indicated that he had not spoken to Theodore's agent. Richard Labbe of La Presse has a different version of the Jose Theodore to Nashville story indicating that a signing was possible.

Theodore will be 34 years old when the season starts in October. He won the Vezina and Hart trophies in 2002 with the Montreal Canadiens.

He had his beast record last year when he was 30-7 playing with the Washington Capitals. Curiously, he remains unsigned five weeks into the free agent period.

Theodore suffered tragedy in his life last summer, when his two month old son, Chance, passed away after struggling for two months after a premature birth.

He was awarded the Masterton Trophy at this year's NHL Award show in Las Vegas for having an outstanding year in site of his personal adversity. Here is what he had to say after receiving the award.




In Pred Nation...

Matt Reitz discusses why Alexander Radulov leaving for Russia was a game changer in NHL history.

Dirk Hoag, the Forechecker, is the focus of the Puck Daddy "Five Reasons Why Series. That's two in five days from Nashville. Who says we are a "non-traditional" market. Dirk also discussed ethics in blogging earlier in the day.

Dave Gutzman has a detailed look at David Poile and his past successes and disappointments.

From reading between the lines, it appears that the Cincinnati Cyclones have replaced the Habs with the Panthers as their joint affiliate team. The press release only mentions Florida but the web site still shows the Preds. Ex-Pred front office guy Mike Santos, is quoted in the release.

From @BlakeGeoffrion: In Milwaukee tomorrow for the state fair & I will be announcing something for the admirals while I'm there, who's going?

This year, the Frosty will be given out after four goals instead of five. The Predators scored 5 (or more) goals at home 3 times last season. They scored 4 goals 8 times. That projects to a lot more free Frostys. Interesting.

WSMV reported on the new venture between the Preds and the Nashville Chamber.

From @aaronadmirals: Former Admirals forward Dave Scatchard signs with St. Louis. At least he stayed in the west so he can visit the green men twice a year.

For our Milwaukee readers planning on going to the state fair, here is a coupon for you.

Kovi's Korner...

The hearing to determine in the New Jersey Devils contract with Ilya Kovalchuk is a valid contract under the current CBA officially got under way today in Boston and will continue later today.

The Fourth Period suggests that the result of the arbitration could be public by next Monday.

Around the NHL...

On a day when there was no news from the Kovulchuk hearing, Gary Bettman was in Calgary for the Heritage Classic press conference officially announcing the Montreal at Calgary game that will be held at McMahon Stadium on February 20, 2011. Kevin Weekes did a great job as MC and the sweaters were revealed. Calgary's sweater is different than most while the Habs will wear a more classic style.

The Team USA juniors defeated Finland 6-3 yesterday with Nick Bjugstad leading the scoring with two goals. The US will play again on Friday and Saturday.

While the US camp is half over, Canada opened its Junior camp yesterday with 44 players on hand.

Steve Lapore takes a look at NBC and Versus coverage in part one in a series.

Adrian Dater updates the latest Forsberg comeback attempt.

Jamal Mayers signed with San Jose on Wednesday and Darren Helm re-signed with the Red Wings.

Puck Daddy has started a new series called "Mount Puckmore" and started with Boston. I would have to go with Poile, Trotz, Legwand and Weber for the Preds.

The Devils did a Q and A with former Pred Jason Arnott. They did not use my question about Arnie being "uncomfortable" as the Preds captain. In fact, there were no questions from outside the tri-state area.

NHL corporate communications head Mike DiLorenzo will relaunch his blog, From The Blue Seats, in September and is looking for a few contributors. Contact him at @NHLdilo.

Red Light District claims it's now or never for Marty Turco.

Tapeleg has another unique jersey up for viewing. It looks like his Monday POTG appearance has inspired him to post this week.

The Hockey News has the Top Ten NHLers to head to Russia. Rads is number three.

Odds and Ends...

On July 14, 1968, I was at the game where Hank Aaron became the 8th player to hit 500 HRs. Now there are 7 players with 600. Steroid use really made a mockery of the old timers.

The efforts to "re-brand" the Pac 10 conference is really interesting. I thought it was really odd last week when they went cross country to New York for their press conference last week.

Our friend Motley Su has a Tumblr for non-hockey stuff.

Google Wave appears officially dead. I only used it once and it wasn't that different that a chat session.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass