POTG Friday Headlines, News and Links: The Wait is Over

This is the day that the #SummerSucksDropThePuck crowd has been waiting for since Boston clinched the Cup in Vancouver last June. Every NHL team (except for Detroit) reports to camp today and will be on the ice on Saturday for the first official workouts.

The first preseason games are on Monday with the Predators kicking it off with the first game of a double header on Monday at 2:30 p.m.

The Predators will have their physicals and testing at 8 a.m. today at Centennial SportsPlex and be on the ice for the first practice on Saturday in three sessions that will run from 9:45 a.m. to 2:20. Today's testing is closed to the public but everyone can attend starting tomorrow. The same schedule will be followed Sunday.


Programming Note...

Today's Smashville on the Glass Radio at Noon CDT will feature Predators radio guy Tom Callahan as we delve into what to expect at training camp. Join us live on BTR or anytime on the podcast.

In Pred Nation...

This article by Chris Jones about Stu Grimson relating to the NHL's "tragic summer" is one of the best pieces written on the topic.

Ryan Porth has a Q and A with Jon Blum and finds intrigue in the battle for the forward spots on the roster.

Josh Cooper talks healthy eating with Austin Watson and introduces Jack Hillen who was an "under the radar" signing in the dead of summer. He also has his annual "five questions" post and doesn't have to ask if this is the year the Preds win a playoff round.

Jim Diamond explores Craig Smith's "let her rip" shooting mentality.

Patten Fuqua talked to Austin Watson about his improvement over the past year.

Bryan Mullen puts a bow on the rookie camp at Preds.com.

TSN released their 30 in 30 preview of the Nashville Predators with no mention of Craig Smith among the rookies to watch. Scott Cullen has a second post and mentions Smith.

Adam Proteau drops the Predators out of the playoffs in his predictions as the only team from the Central Division not to be in the top eight.

Dirk Hoag is looking for fantasy players.

Sam Page made a new highlight video for the Preds that is really good.

Paul McCann has five players that he is watching in the Preds' camp.

Pred Gold looks at how many 'bad days" the Predators have had in the last four years. He also has five questions about training camp.

Mark Willoughby has some grim facts for the country at his weekly "My View."

Sean Henry was talking Arena Football at the Sports Authority meeting yesterday. So what will Phil Williams dream up to say about this. Here is a second story that also gets in to the DNC concessions contract.

Go here to sign up for the Nashville Predators Youth Hockey Clinic for 9-12 year olds on Saturday, October 1 from 1-3 p.m and feature Cliff Ronning as the guest instructor.

Around the NHL...

The NHL released its new social media policy that restricts the period that players and hockey operations folks can post items. The primary difference appears to be that if someone says something they should not, there are now rules in place for discipline. Puck Daddy has plenty of thoughts on the policy. George Scoville doesn't see the policy as an issue for the Predators on Twitter.

Teemu "one more" Selanne has a message for the Ducks fans as he has signed to play another year for $4 million.

The latest word is that Drew Doughty is in Canada and will not be at the opening of the Kings camp today.

Nick Cotsonika has an extensive post on what NHLPA head Donald Fehr is thinking as the last year of the current CBA kicks off.

Tyler Meyers signed a seven year extension $38.5 million with Buffalo and the Islanders made their deal with John Tavares official at a midday presser.

Meanwhile, Josh Bailey had a 7 a.m. EDT deadline with the Isles this morning and was able to get a two year deal completed.

Puck Daddy reports that Luke Schenn has signed a five year deal worth $3.6 million a season.

The Dallas Stars appear to have a new owner pending the bankruptcy deal.

Carolyn Christians has a seven page guide to the Carolina camp at Canes Country.

Brent Seabrook is the latest NHL player to call for stricter rules on head hits.

Jeff Z. Klein examines the summer of joy and sorrow for Henrik Lundqvist.

Aaron Wood has word that the latest buyer for the Coyotes may have an announcement soon. Mayor Scruggs has stopped talking to the media.

The Sharks have joined the Preds and many other teams with variable pricing for games.

Hockey Canada has a new web page with a video explaining the head shot rules.

Even though the Winter Classic has yet to be officially announced, the Rangers are preparing for their 24/7 shoot for HBO.

Sadly, here is a look at the hockey players that remain participants in the Battle of the Blades. I did not know that ex-Pred Cale Hulse is participating. The cast is still in a state of shock over the passing of Wade Belak.

Odds and Ends...

So what happens when an older couple have no idea how to use their webcam? They become a YouTube sensation, what else.

One of the things that makes Nashville a favorite stop for NHL players and media is the Lower Broad music scene. The Ledger has a nice feature about the district.

Here is a heart-warming story of a red-tailed hawk that survived the Wallow fire in Arizona and has now been returned to the wild.

Here is a web site that helps you search for others using your photography on the internet. I tried it with mixed results.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass