POTG Wednesday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

Tonight's game four of the Stanley Cup finals has become highly anticipated after Boston resurrected their Cup chances with their 8-1 thrashing of the Canucks on Monday. In addition, folks want to see how both teams will react after Aaron Rome was suspended and Nathan Horton is out with a concussion.

Based on similar hits and how the wheel of justice has spun to this point in the season, I think four games is excessive. Since Rome missed 55 minutes of game three, one or two more games would be more in line with other rulings this season. I understand the league is ready to crack down but do it in October, not now.

Pundits are also speculation whether Roberto Luongo will come back after giving up eight goals in the last game. He faced a similar situation against the Blackhawks in the first round but took a little break and has been spectacular ever since until Monday.

I expect to see Luongo and the whole Vancouver team more focused than they have been in this series as they have a chance to go up 3-1 and head home for a chance to clinch in game five on Friday. Tune in to Versus tonight at 6:30 CDT for the pregame when we will see what happens.

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



In Pred Nation...

AJ in Nashville has the conclusion of The Evolution of An Agitator, the Jordin is Rising.  

Mark Willoughby has the report card on Ryan Suter at On The Forecheck.

Buy coincidence, Josh Cooper also looked at Suter at Inside Predators. Josh also caught up with Nick Spaling and discussed how his rehab on his shoulder is going.

David Boclair takes a broad look at the potential of future sports franchises in the Nashville area. This is a really in depth look at what minor leagues could realistically have a spot in Nashville.

J.R. Lind at the Nashville Post follows up on the news from Monday that the Preds are hoping to fill the hockey void in Atlanta.

Dirk Hoag was up early today with his morning links.

SCF Tidbits...

Aaron Rome was suspended for four games possibly extending into October if the Finals are less than seven games. Horton is out for the year and Craig Custance reports that Rome is considering an appeal of the suspension. Here is Mike Murphy's explanation of the suspension.

With Rome suspended and Dan Hamhuis injured, it appears that the Canucks will turn to Keith Ballard tonight.

Nick Cotsonika points out that the Bruins losing Horton for the series hurts them more than the Canucks losing Rome.

Peirre LeBrun is expecting Roberto Luongo to make a big comeback tonight an I am too.

Best stat of the night from Game three on CSN New England how had Alex Burrows with "0 Bites."

Here are some interesting stats and commentary on Smashville from @stevelepore: Other than Boston and Buffalo, no @NHL market had higher ratings for Game 2 of the #StanleyCup Final than Nashville. @stevelepore: Mark it down: 2011 was the year Nashville became a legitimate hockey town. If you don't buy that by now, you're a moron.

Predatorial has a piece on Tim Thomas and his CASE ratings for game two.

Around the NHL...

Carolina had several coaching announcements yesterday including naming Rod Brind"Amour and Dave Lewis as assistants.

It was announced yesterday that NBC won the rights to the next four Olympics for a bid of $4.38 billion. Since NBC is locked in to the NHL, it is speculated that this will virtually assure that NHL players will play in the next Winter Olympics in 2014. That will be a key point in next year's NHL-NHLPA contract talks.


Ilya Bryzgalov's rights were traded to Philadelphia from Phoenix for a 2012 third round draft pick, Matt Clackson's rights, and future considerations. Here is a post from Broad Street Hockey earlier in the day saying that Ilya Bryzgalov had narrowed his list of teams down to several teams in the Eastern Conference. The others may still be in play if Philly fails to sign him. Ryan Porth ponders if the Flyers may finally have a goalie.

True North is holding a press conference today at 2 p.m. CDT , presumably to announce Kevin Cheveldayoff as the new GM. Folks might like an announcement of the team name even better, especially if it is the Jets.

Never has the sale of season tickets to an NHL team provoked the range of emotions that has happened in Winnipeg. Here is a sad story felt by thousands on Saturday. No Norman Rockwell moments for "Buddy" and his family.

Binghamton announced plans for a parade before last night's game six in Houston where they won 3-2 to take the Calder Cup.

The Kings are expected to step up negotiations for Drew Doughty and Wayne Simmonds this week. Both will be RFAs on July first. David Poile has indicated that he may be looking for comparable salaries from  Doughty and others.

Matt Reitz speculates on whether Jim Balsille can "behave" well enough to get an NHL team.

Brad Richards appears to be in the drivers seat in a year of few quality UFAs in the NHL.

There's always a new way to fail in Columbus. Just before the Entry Draft and free agency on July 1, the Jackets have fired their top pro and amateur scouts.

Wayne Gretzky's son, Trevor, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the seventh round of yesterday's MLB draft.

Michael Langlois is pleased to see the previous "screw job" done to St. Johns, Newfoundland being undone by the Manitoba Moose's alleged return to the eastern Canada province.

This is a little much. Seventeen Magazine (yes, that one) lets you vote on which suit Jeff Skinner should wear to the NHL Awards. This is the first time that I have linked a teeny bop rag.

Down Goes Brown has a list of playoff injuries revealed after the fact including one we did not know about for Mike Fisher.

Odds and Ends...

Chaco Culture National Park may again be at risk from tourist as there is another movement to pave the road leading to it which would massively increase tourism which would lead to greater restrictions on access.

If you are like me and hate the new type of light bulbs, it's time to start stockpiling 100 watt bulbs which will be phased out in January.

I maybe late to the party but just found Wolfgang's Vault which has ton's of archived live concerts to listen too or purchase. Being old, I found a bunch of incredible stuff here. Here is a encore performance of Bob Marley shortley before he was at Vanderbilt's Memorial Gym on December 10, 1979.

Listen to more Bob Marley and the Wailers

There are actually "tours" available for folks who want to ride along with real storm chasers.

Facebook's facial recognition feature is pretty advanced and scary for some.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass