POTG Monday Headlines, News and Links

Since the Nashville Predators concluded RFA-gate at the end of last week, signing the five potential UFAs, this was truly the first hockey-less weekend of the summer. Predator fans have the "Skate of the Union" to look forward to on Wednesday this week which will usher in the road gold jersey and be the kickoff to the new season.

Also, since there is a date for Shea Weber's Arbitration hearing on August 2, there is also a known time frame for that saga to conclude too.

In spite of the off season slowdown, we still have plenty of news and links after the jump...

In Pred Nation...

Mark Willoughby has a good analysis of the Predators' offseason moves.

Jim Diamond looks at Garrett Noonan fitting in as a left hand defenseman.

David Boclair discusses Roman Josi's chance to make the Predators this fall.

Dirk Hoag looks at the tightening up of the NHL's Central Divion in what will probably be its last year.

Sam Page reflects on the passing of the Arnott, Dumont, and Sullivan era.

The North Shore News points out that ex-Pred Mark Dekanich hit pay dirt twice in the same weekend.

Preds FTW has been snooping on Colin Wilson's Twitter account.

Leafs Nation tries to figure out where Cody Franson will fit on the Toronto depth chart.

Around the NHL...

Puck Daddy says the NHLPA should be in favor of long term deals when the CBA is negotiated next year.

With all the changes in Columbus, it still doesn't look like the Blue Jackets are much better.

Here is a graphical look at the first week of free agency. There are a few errors on the Preds info but it still has a nice appearance.

Ryan Porth looks at the competitiveness of Tim Thomas.

Tyler Dellow discusses the relationship between faceoffs and penalty kills.

Eric Fehr is excited about returning to the home province to play for the Winnipeg Jets.

The Florida Panthers continue to be the most active team in the offseason with three more deals on Saturday.

The Avalance signed Kevin Porter and Ryan Wilson and still aren't at the cap floor.

Nucks Misconduct takes a walk down memory lane with every signing and trade in Vancouver since 1970.

Chris Botta discusses what a "hellhole" Nassau Coliseum has become and why it is in need of an immediate $4 million in repairs.

Inside Hockey has a piece on getting to know Dougie Hamilton, one of the more interesting prospects to get drafted this year.

Starting in 2013-14 there will be a new super power conference in college hockey.

Rory Boylen has the story behind the story of the Chicago Blackhawks drafting Jeremy Roenick.

Already bored with this year's free agent frenzy, Ted Kulfan looks ahead to next year's madness.

Here is good post about players becoming a brand to themselves with Paul "Biznasty" Bissonette as the poster child. It is a tribute to the simple and real opportunity social media affords.

Lee Sweatt who took down the Predators with his only NHL goal in January is in a mysterious situation as to where he is headed.

Michael Paliotta's mother's breast cancer was preparation for giving him the courage to go as far as he has in hockey. He was a third round selection in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

Prayers (and a contract) are needed for Adam Pineault (a 2004 draft pick of Columbus) and his wife Monique who has been diagnosed with a rare cancer.

Odds and Ends...

The House of Representatives will take up the matter to repeal the ban on incandescent bulbs later today. The CFL bulbs that were thought to be the next best thing did not turn out to be the panacea that was expected and can cause a a toxic situation requiring specialized clean up if broken.

Kai Nagata gives one of the most interesting testimonies of someone being true to themselves in spite of the economic and career consequences.

With MLB's home run contest taking place tonight in Phoenix, here is a story about the physics of hitting a home run.

When you are able to get on Google +, here is a way to get your Facebook feed on the new platform.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass