POTG Thursday Headlines, News, Links, and Commentary

This time of year, in general, where there is such a shortage of  hockey news that a post like Josh Cooper's at The Tennessean yesterday morning that indicated that Shea Weber's talks were in a "stalemate" can set off an all day flurry of blogs, posts, and discussions on Canadian Talk radio to make it one of the top stories of the day.

If you follow the money trail and realize that the comment came from Weber's agent Jarrett Bousquet, then you have to take a serious look at what was to be gained by such a statement.

The Predators are willing to let the negotiations go until August 2, even after all the parties arrive at the arbitration hearing. They are in no hurry. They are going to have Weber for at least another year.

The Weber camp uses the "stalemate" tag to get a rise out of the media and the fans as that is really the only pressure that they can exert. They are basically at the mercy of accepting David Poile's longer term offer or going to arbitration and getting about $7 million (give or take $500K).

The pressure of the date and the fact that the range of the annual value of the contract is pretty well narrowed down to around $7 million dollars a year means that a deal will get done before the arbitration starts.

On a separate note, there is a bunch of stuff about the "big three" after the jump. The reality is that none will be leaving after nest year and there is an outside chance that as part of the "Weber package" you could see all three locked up around the same time.

Make the jump for a ton of news and links...

POTG Wednesday Headlines, News, and Links

After my allegations that it had turned into a slow summer for hockey news, Tuesday hit the jackpot with a trifecta of major news stories.

Chris Osgood officially retired in the morning, setting off a debate whether the goaltender who has 401 regular season wins and ranks tenth on the all-time win list is hall of fame worthy.

In the afternoon, the Devils finally announced that Peter DeBoer would be their coach and then Steven Stamkos finally brought peace to Tampa fans (as well as the NHL 12 folks) by re-signing with the Lighting.

Make the jump for these stories and more...

POTG Tuesday Headlines, News, and Links

Today, before we get to all the news and links, the Nashville Predators have a new History Will Be Made Video highlighting "History Rocks" on the Bridgestone Band-stage.



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

POTG Weekend Headlines, News, and Links

It is pretty amazing that David Poile locked up Sergei Kostitsyn on a one-year deal that will give him the chance to see if he can reproduce what he did last season. It will be different for him in camp this year as he will be under more scrutiny to see if he can live up to his salary.

I'm am very surprised that the Preds were willing to part with $2.5 million to retain him. I was thinking something along the lines of $1.5 to $1.75 million would be a fair price. I'm sure the fact that teammate Joel Ward got an inflated $3 million in a multi-year deal played into the value.

This was the only deal of the five signings of the RFAs subject to the grievance hearing that I thought was a bit high but David Poile maintained his dignity and level-headedness unlike in the Chicago situation a couple of years ago when they paid crazy money to avoid losing players.

Anyway, we have a ton of news and links for you to carry you through the weekend after the jump...

POTG Friday Morning Headlines, News, Links, and Commentary

David Poile never falls short of amazing the hockey world by finding rabbits to pull out of hat when there are none to be found. Yesterday, he announced the signing of the most critical players that were set to be involved in today's NHLPA grievance hearing.

All four signings were reasonable, with little if any premium paid. This shows that the four involved were true believers in the "Predator Way" and want to be a part of it going forward. The hearing will still take place today in New York before independent arbitrator George Nicolau with Sergei Kostitsyn being the only relevant player under consideration .

Many feel that Kostitsyn is a key piece to this team but I beg to differ. While he had a big year and scored 23 goals and added 27 assists, he was absent when he was needed the most in the playoffs. He played 18 more games during the regular season than he has ever played before at any level. There is no guarantee of a repeat of those numbers.

The Preds are focusing on building a squad of thirty or so players that can play 82 games and then go four rounds deep in the playoffs, turning the volume up in each round. Kostitsyn did not prove he could do that so Poile is not going to pay him beyond what he is worth.

If it is determined that Kostitsyn is an RFA, the negotiations will continue and since he elected arbitration, the team will probably walk away from an award driven by recent "stupid" deals. So be it. There are other players hungrier than Sergei that will fit the bill.

If is determined that he is unrestricted then another team will pay him stupid money that much quicker, but it will not be the Predators. It probably won't be the Vancouver Canucks.

Whatever goodwill was lost with the whole NHLPA grievance filing should be well on the way to recovery with the fan base pleased with the four signings yesterday and the UFA pick-ups on Niclas Bergfors, Jack Stortini, and Kyle Wilson.

Bergfors has potential of a breakout season with some Preds love and Stortini will be the beloved big man who can fight and handle fourth line minutes too. Wilson is a wild car that is waiting for a breakout at the NHL level after proving all he can in the AHL.

Fans can now sit back and enjoy the summer and look forward to the Skate of the Union on Wednesday and wait for the announcement of the re-signing of Shea Weber that I'm betting will be announced before the SOTU so Shea can show up and model the new home golds that folks will fall in love with once they can see and touch the sweater.

For today's news and links, make the jump...

POTG Thursday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

Could today be the day that David Poile makes a move on one or more of his RFA;s that are up for tomorrow's arbitration hearing? He has now indicated that he probably would not re-sign all of the crew regardless of the outcome.

My guess is that he will sign Spaling at all costs, Kostitsyn if the price is right and is maybe 50-50 on Halischuk and O'Reilly. We will know soon.

In today's news, we hear of a new third line defense for the Preds, the real story on Patrick Cote, a skinny Alex Ovechkin, and much more after the jump...

POTG Wednesday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

The Nashville Predators are now two days away from D-Day in the form of the the arbitration hearing on the seven (actually six, since Thuresson went to the Rangers) that will decide whether the players in question will be RFA's or UFA's. I'm still expecting a last minute multi-year deal on Nick Spaling.

Sergei Kostitsyn threw an odd kink into the situation by chosing to go for player elected arbitration which if he  remains an RFA would send him to arbitration and put the Preds in a take it or leave it position. If he is declared a UFA, all bets are off. The Preds could also sign him at any point during the process.

There is no progress on the Shea Weber front with one rumor saying that he wants less years and another story saying that the Drew Doughty negotiations had slowed to a crawl. E. J. Hradek made a good point yesterday on RLD Radio that you can't compare the James Wisnewsky and Christian Ehrhoff signings as they were true UFS'a.

The Preds signed a couple of role players in Zach Stortini and Kyle Wilson yesterday. This seems like two more bricks in the wall of the Predator way.

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

POTG Friday Morning Headlines, News, Links, and Commentary

Happy Canada Day!

As we head to the opening of this year's free agent period at 11 a.m. CDT this morning, the Nashville Predators are in the midst of the biggest crisis since Jim Balsillie was dispatched back to north of the border in the Summer of 2007.

This year's free agent market is one of the worst in years with few quality players and 30 teams with extra money to spend on a bloated cap. In the best of situations this would not be a free agency period conducive to the Predators style of operation. Now there is a bigger problem to consider.

What was initially poo-pooed by the team and the league as a non-issue has now turned into a full blown mess with an arbitration hearing with the NHLPA and four key young players are at risk of walking away with no compensation to the Predators.

The fact that his happened at all, regardless of wrong-doing or not, has far-reaching repercussions.

The Predators were not expected to be big players today in the free agent market. With few players and prices way to high, it is simply the "Predator way." Now, in spite of the "business as usual" mantra, even if a bargain showed up at the door they could be hesitant to make a move.

At some point, the Predators could may be forced to spend more than was necessarily to re-sign the four RFA's with the players now holding all the cards with the potential of UFA status in a sellers market. With a limited budget, extra money spent could make a difference in another free agent acquisition or a deadline deal later in the year.

Thirdly, if some or all of the four players are lost, Shea Weber will not be a happy negotiator. From the beginning, Weber has stressed that he doesn't want top dollar if the key components to the team can stay intact. If these four guys leave, part of that argument is lost.

Finally, the biggest loss of all may be the Predators' fan's confidence in the team. Fans have been very forgiving and understanding and have felt that no matter what, the Preds have always had another rabbit in the hat. This time, the Predators may be short a rabbit.

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

POTG Thursday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

The second day of public on-ice sessions at the Predators Development Camp begins this morning at 10 a.m. If you can't make it during the week (like me), then Saturday' 10-12 session or Sunday's final round-up at 2-4 p.m. has your name on it.

Yesterday was a bumpy day for the Preds with contentions that the team did not properly make their qualifying offers to their seven restricted free agents. The Preds and the NHL says everything was done properly but the NHLPA has officially filed a grievance in the matter.

The matter will head to an arbitrator, most likely before Friday's frenzy kicks off. The Predators can either do nothing and hope for a favorable result, or scramble to sign the players that they want with the players having the key bargaining chip in their pocket.

The Predators' quirky  2011 preseason schedule finally came out so so fans can complete their calendar for September. The details on the much anticipated "Skate of the Union" were also revealed.

Tomorrow at 11 a.m. will be the start of a poor free agent class kicking off the frenzy so expect to see marginal players get overpaid. NHL Network will have wall to wall coverage.

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

POTG Wednesday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

It has been over six weeks since Nashville Predators fans have seen players on ice in Smashville. This morning at Centennial SportsPlex at 10 a.m. fans who aren't tied to a desk can take in the first public skate for the Preds' prospects attending this years' Development Camp.

From  the pictures that I saw from yesterday, Magnus Hellberg appeared to be the darling of the media in the scrums and why not. Everyone has been spoiled by the growing line of tall Northern European goalies.

Here is an updated cam roster and schedule. Make the jump for today's news and links...

POTG Tuesday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

Things never seem to settle down in Smashville. Yesterday, the Milwaukee Admirals hired Kirk Muller as their new head coach and had an eventful press conference to make the big announcement.

The Predators developmental camp opens today at Centennial SportsPlex with the first public on ice session tomorrow.

Yesterday was the deadline for qualifying RFA'a and we have a link to the complete list of who was and who wasn't.

We also have a RLD Hockey Talk show that you won't want to miss. Make the jump for this and more...

POTG Monday Morning Headlines, News, and Links

After a week long trip that included a run through the desert in Las Vegas and then the abrupt shock of going to the very Midwestern twin cities of Minneapolis/St.Paul I am slowly getting back up to speed here at home.

We ask that you click on the big banner above and check out our 17 draft posts and 16 Awards show post from the last few days. Over the next few weeks we will have plenty of video from the Awards as well as the top ten draft picks in Minnesota.

This was my third visit to the Awards Show in Las Vegas and it just keeps getting better every year. The great folks at The Palms Casino and Resort upgraded us to a 22nd floor Studio Suite that made us feel like we were staying in a hotel worth of The Hangover.

Thanks also to Ryan Porth and the folks at The Fourth Period who gave the whole Nashville crew invitations to their after-party at the Moon Nightclub where we had a great view of the strip with the moon rising above it.

The Wild did a great job of putting on the draft and things ran very smoothly on Friday night and Saturday. It was interesting that the Preds' pick of Magnus Hellberg was considered the number one story on the XM Home Ice news update when I finally got into my car late Saturday night.

Anyway, the hockey never ends with the Predators' Development Camp starting today and free agency starting on Friday. We will have the latest details of the camp schedule for those wanting to attend up in about an hour. We also expect the official announcement of Kirk Muller as the Milwaukee Admiral's head coach at a noon Presser at 501 Broadway.

Make the jump for our attempt to get back in the swing of things back home in Tennessee...

POTG Monday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

This week we will have a little different look at POTG. I'll be leaving for Las Vegas to attend the Awards Show festivities later today and then going to Minneapolis on Thursday for the NHL Entry Draft on Friday night and Saturday. The morning links will probably suffer in the process.

Other than covering the four Predators' nominees at the Awards Show and the Predators picks at the draft, posts will be somewhat limited due to a shortage of Internet connections. What will result, long-term,  is plenty of videos over the course of the summer to keep interesting stuff up on the site.

In the next couple of days I will have an Awards preview, a post about what the Preds nominees are thinking about heading to Vegas, and the best idea ever conceived about the future of hockey in Las Vegas.

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

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...

POTG Friday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

So how did all you other die-hard hockey fans spend your first off-season evening of no hockey on the tube?

With nothing specific on the agenda, on the way home, I called my mysterious, non-public wife, who my hockey friends don't think exists, and suggested that we take the puppies for a walk around the neighborhood.

This was a first for the puppies. We got Mazie Grace aka Maze at the end of September, and we got Pekka aka Peks in February, so they have not known what a hockey-less evening was like. They were thrilled with the new experience. They marked new territory all around the block.

This weekend, the wife even agreed to go see the Nashville RollerGirls in action at Municipal Auditorium. It's really amazing that there are other things to do when hockey is not on the tube. How is everyone else going fill the gap for the next 108 days before hockey starts up again?

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

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

Last night was a roller-coaster of emotions. After buying in to the Canucks I was disappointed that they failed to show in every way in game seven.

On the other hand, I really like Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara as people, so it was great to see them hoist the Cup. They are both great folks and character people in addition to being great players.

The rioters were really disappointing. Keep in perspective that it was a few malcontents that caused the whole rampage on Vancouver last night and not a refection on the city in general.

Finally, the hardest thing to take long term is the fact that it will be 110 days before another meaningful NHL game will be played. Remember #summersucksdropthe puck. We will be here all summer so thanks in advance for reading.

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

POTG Game Seven Day Headlines, News, and Links

It is hard to believe that it all started eight months ago with thirty teams hoping to have the chance to lift the Stanley Cup on a warm evening in June. Tonight, with a level ice surface, two teams have the chance to do that. One will fail and the other will live in infamy as the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions.

With what we have seen trough six games, there has been a record amount of inconsistency so there is no way to logically make a fair prediction based on how things have gone. My gut says that the
Canucks will win in a low scoring game seven that could possibly find an overtime period which would be pure nirvana for true NHL fans.

One thing is guaranteed and that is that tonight's game at 7 p.m. CDT on NBC will be one for the ages, capping one of the most Jeckle and Hyde series in recent history. Invite friends and family that don't watch hockey to tune in as it will be a battle between two teams that have been ravaged by injury and do not like each other at all.

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

POTG Tuesday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

After last night's big elimination game 5-2 win, Boston heads to Vancouver hoping to break the six game home team winning streak at the Rogers Arena on Wednesday night in what should be a game seven for the ages.

It is absolutely incredible that Roberto Luongo has been blown out 8-1 and pulled twice in two other games in Boston. Last night he gave up three quick goals in Bostons four goals in 4:14 spree early in the first period. Luongo's GAA rose to 8.04 in Boston while it is 0.67 at home in Vancouver.

As unpredictable as this series has been, it is any one's guess who will show up ready to play tomorrow night and who will shine in goal. Game time will be 7 p.m. on NBC.

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

POTG Monday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

To use a horrible cliche, "this is what it is all about!" The Stanley Cup will be at TD Gardens tonight waiting to see if it will be uncased and polished or if the Boston Bruins will live for two more days with a win over the Vancouver Canucks forcing the entire circus to pack up and head west for game seven on Wednesday night.

Vancouver has shown nothing in the two prior games in Boston. Each of their three wins in Vancouver have been by a single goal in dramatic fashion. Going by past experience in this series, you would expect a comfortable win by the Bruins at home. With the cup on the line, anything is possible.

For what it is worth, the consensus of the pundits was Vancouver in six games which is still possible tonight. I'm not sure the smartest men in the press box could have foreseen the way that this series has played out with the dominance of Tim Thomas who is almost a lock for the Conn Smythe, win or lose.

Ryan Porth has a good perspective on what a win tonight would mean to the Canucks. My bet is that they will win it all but that it will be for the home crowd on Wednesday.

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

POTG Weekend Headlines, News, and Links

After looking as bad as a team could look in Boston, The Vancouver Canucks and Roberto Luongo found their magic at Rogers Arena last night with a 1-0 win to take a 3-2 lead as the series heads to Boston for game six when the Stanley Cup will be in the building.

We had a story, postgame transcripts from Roberto Luongo and Max Lapierre, game notes, and Johnny Canuck which is a great video.

Make the jump for the weekend news and links...