POTG Weekend Headlines, News, and Links

There has been far too much media driven (mostly Canadian) hand wringing about Shea Weber leaving Nashville over the last few months. With the word that the Predators filed for arbitration yesterday, no other team can submit an offer sheet for Weber that the Predators would have to match.

In the post season presser, David Poile was confident that they would get a new deal done and he has never wavered from that and indicated then that this was the route they would go. If a deal is not done by July 20, a hearing would be scheduled and negotiations could continue up through and after the setting.

Worst case scenario is a one or two year award would be given that the Preds could not stomach and they would let him go but it will never get to that. Both sides seem committed to wanting a mult-year deal that won't force the team to cut corners elsewhere.

Josh Cooper has a statement from David Poile regarding the arbitration filing as well as Weber's sudden change in agents.

Update (11:17 Sat) from @TSNRyanRishaug: Preds and Webers agent Jarrett bousquet done talking for now, will resume negotiations at the draft and the nhl awards.

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

Programming Note...

Today at Noon CDT RLD Hockey Talk will have a special edition with a look at next weeks NHL Entry Draft with special guest Russ Cohen of the XM Hockey Prospects Show and Sportsology. Russ also is the author of the highly successful book, 100 Ranger Greats.

In Pred Nation...

Josh Cooper sorts out the Predators strategy at the draft and have a list of what picks the Preds possess this year.

Josh also has his look back at Jordin Tooto's season.

Jahn Manasso is giving Preds fans hope that there is a chance Alexander Radulov could return.

Aaron Sims takes a look at the Predators past first round picks at the Entry Draft.

Around the NHL...

NHL Network's coverage of Boston's parade is underway and will be repeated again later.

The NHL has been very slow revealing the entertainers and presenters for Wednesday's NHL Awards show but did announce that Dierks Bentley and Far East Movement would be the musical acts.

The rumors are stronger that Jaromir Jagr is interested in joining the Red Wings.

The story of the kissing couple from the Vancouver riot has been revealed.

Ryan Porth has his High Five from the playoffs and rounds up the whole RLD crew to make the case for the Norris Trophy. He also has his five playoff breakout players. Finally, he poses a question as to whether the Bruins won or did the Canucks lose.

Matt Reitz has his weekly Hockey Fan in California post.

Adrian Dater has speculation from the Czech Republic that Tomas Vokoun may want to play in Colorado.

The best laid plans of the New York Rangers to buy out Chris Drury cannot come to fruition.

The Devils filed for arbitration with Zach Parise so he will be in the same position as Shea Weber and cannot be stolen by an offer sheet.

Ken Campbell ponders the plight of Roberto Luongo.

Minnesota made it official that there new coach will be Mike Yeo and the Stars named Glen Gulutzan as their new coach.

NHL.com has launched a new virtual world for kids called Rinksters. I'm sure a few teens and adults will join in too.

Intent to Blow says the Vancouver police have tied the Vancouver riots to P. K..Subban.

Odds and Ends...

Drinking sodas can kill you in the long run according to this study.

In big Big Bear Lake, California, all the high school yearbooks were recalled due to an alleged sex act in the background of one of the pictures.

Rebekah Sanders tells her personal connection to the huge Wallow fire in Arizona.

This is cool. You can now sell an item on Ebay right from your phone with the new app.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass