Comments from a standing "O" from the cripple beside the couch in Preds 6-1 win

As you probably do not know, the reason for my lack of posting and in person presence around the Predators' rink this year is that I will be undergoing a full hip replacement this coming Thursday which will require a six week period of no driving or public appearances. Therefore, I am limited to comments from the couch for the time being.

In spite of my infirmary, I was able to give a standing "O" when the Preds went up 5-0 against division rival, St. Louis, in the two teams third meeting in this young season. After averaging 1.5 goals per game, it was truly a miracle for the Preds to break out with five goals in 30:09 minutes of play.

With the odd scheduling where they actually returned home during the road trip, I was somewhat concerned that it could have been a distraction but Barry Trotz remains a master in the psychology of the game.

Highlights of the game included...

Ryan Ellis picking up the first goal of the game when he fired the puck at the net on the power play and bounced it off a Blues player for the first goal of the game.

Rich Clune picked up his first NHL goal when he was crashing the net and picked up the rebound off a Colin Wilson shot. His first intermission appearance was classic.

Nick Spalling getting his second goal of the year with aggressive play to end the opening period.

Any goal by Kevin Klein is a masterpiece. Klein is the most unappreciated defenseman in the NHL.

Gabriel Bourque finishing up Wilson's shot on goal with his skate (without a kicking motion).

Wilson having a huge three point game as he tries to solidify his position as a young force on the team. His post game TV appearance exuded confidence in front of the camera not previously seen.

Mart Erat grabbing a goal in the waning minutes of the game to gain his scoring confidence.

Pekka Rinne being on top of his game, stopping 31 of 32 Blues shots.

Low points included...

The Preds' lack of discipline that led to three penalties and a Blues goal at the end of the second period.

Preds going down 5 on 3 early in the third to raise Rinne's blood pressure.

Chris Stewart in a scuffle with Paul Gaustad to end the game.

It was really not surprising that the Preds were out hit 17-6 in a game that was frustrating for the Blues.


The Predators giving up 32 shots while only getting 19 on goal (including only three in the second period) , despite the lopsided win.

The Predators finally return home on Thursday night against the Kings which I hope to be able to watch in a post surgery anesthesia haze.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators ink new TV deal with Fox Sports

The Predators and Fox Sports announced a "new long-term television rights agreement." Financial arrangements and term were not announced but there was stated that "FOX Sports Tennessee (would be) the home of Nashville Predators Hockey for many years to come.”

Make the jump for the full release from the Preds and Fox Sports...

Couch notes from Nashville's 3-1 win over Minnesota

After improving in each of the first two games and settling for the loser point in each, the Predators made big strides in the final two periods against the Wild in Minnesota and broke into the win column for the first time this season by a 3-1 score.

Chris Mason started his first game of the year for the Predators and limited the Wild to one goal on thirty shots, including several great scoring chances in the games closing moments.

Gabriel Bourque played 14:15 in his first game of the season, after coming back from injury, and appeared to invigorate the third line that he shared with Brandon Yip and Nick Spaling. Bourque spent considerable time around the net distracting the Wild players and could have been in on Spaling's goal that tied the game late in the first period.

Marty Erat played it smart on his go ahead goal after picking the puck from Niklas Backstrom by gently sliding it into the net instead of being cute. As an older player, he is crafting a career to be proud of as a lifelong Predator.

Speaking of long time Preds, David Legwand  has the market cornered on empty net goals and late game markers as he had tonight, picking up the clincher with 17  seconds left on the power play. The Preds have now scored on the man advantage in all three games.

Richard Clune got in his fight in early when he tangled with Zenon Konopka a couple of minutes into the game. I would think the jury is still out his role with this year's team. He did pick up three hits in five shifts.

After a banner night in the face off circle on Monday, the Preds were only 25 of 58 in their second game without Paul Gaustad.

The Predators continue onward on their marathon road trip and will meet the Blues in St. Louis on Thursday. They will also end the trip in St.Louis which will make three of the first nine games against what appears to be one of conference's top teams.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Bourque recalled from Milwaukee

The Nashville Predators recalled Gabriel Bourque from Milwaukee today to provide an additional spark for the 0-0-2 team. He was a key contributor as a rookie last season and has been sidelined recently with injuries.

Here is the full release from the Nashville Predators...


NASHVILLE PREDATORS RECALL BOURQUE FROM MILWAUKEE 

Nashville, Tenn. (January 22, 2013) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Gabriel Bourque from Milwaukee (AHL).

Bourque, 22 (9/23/90), has 12 points (7g-5a) in 15 games for the Admirals this season. During his rookie NHL campaign last season, the Rimouski, Que., native ranked ninth in points per game among rookies who appeared in at least half their team’s games (.44), finishing with 19 points (7g-12a) in 43 games. In the 2012 Playoffs, the 5-10, 192-pound left wing tied for the team lead in goals (3), and ranked third in points (5), setting franchise records for points (3g-1a-4pts) and plus-minus rating (+5) by a rookie in a playoff series in the Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Detroit.

The Predators take on the Minnesota Wild tonight at the Xcel Energy Center at 7 p.m. CT (Comcast channels: 1675 HD, 28 SD and 102.5 The Game) in the first of a seven-game, 15-day road trip that keeps the team out of Nashville until Feb. 7 when they face off against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings at Bridgestone Arena. Individual game tickets and premium seating for the Nashville Predators 2012-13 regular season are on sale now at the Bridgestone Arena box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, nashvillepredators.com and (615) 770-7800. Returning this season are the popular Tennessee Lottery $10 Gameday Seats where 100 upper-level tickets will be made available for just $10 each on the day of the game. These tickets may only be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of each specific game. Tickets distributed through raffle system. Limit four per customer.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Comments from the couch after Preds 4-3 shootout loss to the Blues

There's not too many comments from the couch tonight, primarily due the the scheduling of a 5 p.m. start on a day when everyone in the Mid-state area that doesn't work for the government or a bank was either at work or heading out into rush hour traffic for the puck drop.

I find it totally incredible that for the second game in a row that Bridgestone Arena had a sellout crowd of 17,113. In spite of all the intense whining and gnashing of teeth during the lockout, citizens of Smashville have obviously forgiven and forgotten all the angst of the past four months.

For the Predators, tonight's hero had to be Patric Hornqvist who had his tenth career three point game with a goal and two assists. Mike Fisher and Marty Erat also has two point games in the loss. I wonder if anyone got a "no, no, no, no, no..." out of him in the postgame interviews.

The Preds were outshot 39-24 and fared even worse in the Corsi at 71-42. They have got to start getting more pressure on the opponent goalie.

Newcomer Rich Clune, received minimal ice time after picking up a boarding penalty against Scotty Nichol on his second shift early in the game. He only skated one shift in the second period and a pair in the third.

Brian McGrattan saw similar ice time as Clune. The Preds were obviously making a statement to the big bad Blues by sending McGrattan and Clune out on the same line with each of their first and third period shifts. Take that Ken Hitchcock! Darth Vader is locked and loaded :)

The Preds' power play continued to be productive with another pair of goals but the PK unit is starting to come into question, giving up a goal in two chances to the Blues.

In spite of Paul Gaustad being out of the lineup, the Preds were 36 of 64 in the faceoff circle for a 56% win percentage. Everyone who entered the circle was at least 50% but Mike Fisher was a glutton for punishment, taking 26 faceoffs and winning 14. Nick Spalling was also tough, winning 10 of 15.

The Predators have never had a drop dead sniper in the shootout but Pekka Rinne has made up for that in recent years. For two games in a row, he has been out-dueled by lesser talent, unfortunately, resulting in two loses.

Tuesday's game against Minnesota should draw banner TV ratings with the Predators facing off against Ryan Suter in the Minnesota green for the first time. I'm sure it will be billed as "mamo a mano" between the ex-defensive pairing but in spite of that, it will be good to see how the "new look" Wild perform with all the new faces (and the empty wallet).

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Bartley returned to Milwaukee

Nashville Predators rookie defenseman Victor Bartley has had an exciting few days lately but in the end was returned to Milwaukee today where he will probably stay for a while.

Bartley was one of three Admiral defensemen (along with Ryan Ellis and Jon Blum) that was invited to the Preds abbreviated training camp which was left with an unwieldy eight D-men when the final cuts were made on Friday. Bartley did not dress in the Predators 3-2 shootout loss to Columbus on Saturday night.

On Thursday, in the midst of the Preds camp, Bartley was named as a participant in the Dunkin Donuts AHL All-Star Classic to be held Jan. 27-28 in Providence, R.I.

After much being made of the Predators depth being needed in this year's short season, you would expect Bartley to be the first defenseman recalled should an injury occur.

Make the jump for the full release from the Predators...

Opening Night thoughts from the couch in Predators 3-2 shootout loss

The Preds opened up with as close to a "bye" as you could find, having won 19 of the last 20 home games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. At least the sieve, Steve Mason, didn't start. The BJ's have worked hard  at earning the title of doormat of the Central Division NHL.

The sold out crowd in the arena got their money's worth with 65 minutes of end to end action and six rounds of a shootout before the Jackets doubled their recent Bridgestone win total on a Derick Brassard shot that got past Pekka Rinne to give Columbus the 3-2 victory.

Fox Sports Tennessee had a double fail to start the game. First, through no fault of their own, the Alabama-Texas A & M basketball game ran long. Then, in a major disaster for those wanting to see #hockeyisback, FSTN switched to some meaningless tennis match for the first several minutes of the contest, including Marty Erat's goal 39 seconds into the game.

Stick tap to Pekka Rinne who got the first goalie point of the season on Erat's goal.

Scott Hannen made a good first impression on his teammates when Derek Dorsett put a clean hit on Kevin Klein near the boards and Hannen responded and went toe to toe with the Jacket's agitator.

On the Jackets' power play goal there was nothing Pekka Rinne could have done with Nick Foligno's perfect tip on the Fedor Tyutin's shot. Foligno also got a pipe on a power play midway through the second period when he had Rinne out of position.

After leading the NHLlast season on the power play with ex Pred Ryan Suter having the most points, it was a real confidence builder to see Ryan Ellis get the goal on the Preds first man advantage opportunity this season on a feed from Sergei Kostitsyn trying out his new role on the point.

Kostitsyn was a point a game player in the KHL and continued his success this year with primary assists on the Preds' first two goals. If he continues, he may be an option in fantasy leagues.

It probably wan't a great idea for Captain Shea Weber to tangle with Jared Boll as he stepped up for Craig Smith who Boll hit before the fight. Weber really needs to leave the fisticuffs to others so he can stay out of the box and off injured reserve in the short season.

Barry Trotz did a lot of mixing and matching on his third and fourth lines but was fairly consistent with the Fisher-Kostitsyn-Erat and Legwand-Smith-Hornqvist combinations. Colin Wilson also earned plenty of minutes, playing on several lines. Weber-Josi, Klein-Hannen, and Gill-Ellis seemed fairly set. You have to wonder when Jon Blum or Victor Bartley will play.

The one issue that was most concerning for the Preds was sloppy play on the breakout of their defensive zone. There were too many giveaways that would turn into goals against a better opponent.

The Predators mad a decent push at the end of the third period to try to avoid the dreaded three point game but it was to no avail. The pressure continued into overtime but it still headed to the skills competition.

The Preds will go at it again at 5 p.m. Monday against St. Louis at Bridgestone Arena. Someone needs to give a heads up to the scheduling gurus that most fans in Middle Tennessee do not have a day off for MLK Day. For many STH, it is a useless ticket with the start being when most folks are still at work.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Nashville to win Stanley Cup: You heard it here first!

Abbreviated picks for the abbreviated season...

This year's NHL season is finally upon us after months of highs and lows for fans when word would leak out that a resolution to the lockout was near only to be dashed by harsh words from the negotiating parties. Frankly, for most of the lockout, I thought we were looking at a rerun of the lost season of 2004-05.

That being said, anyone who says with authority that they are confident in their picks for this year's 16 playoff teams is completely delusional. In the shortened 48 game season, any of the 30 NHL teams has a shot at being in the post season (except for Columbus, of course).

The teams that have the most continuity from last season, the fewest injuries to key players, and have the hottest goalie can sneak into the top eight in either conference with even average talent on the roster. Those are keys in any season but with less room for error, they will me magnified much so in this three month sprint to the playoffs.

Short of drawing names out of a hat, here is my best guess at the year's final standings...

Eastern Conference
1.    NY Rangers
2.    Carolina
3.    Boston
4.    Pittsburgh
5.    Philadelphia
6.    Washington
7.    New Jersey
8.    Toronto
9.    Buffalo
10.  Tampa Bay
11.  Ottawa
12.  Florida
13.  Winnipeg
14.  NY Islanders
15.  Montreal

Western Conference
1.    Vancouver
2.    Nashville
3.    San Jose
4.    Los Angeles
5.    St Louis
6.    Chicago
7.    Detroit
8.    Dallas
9.    Minnesota
10.  Phoenix
11.  Edmonton
12.  Anaheim
13.  Colorado
14.  Calgary
15.  Columbus

With the full expectation being called a homer, I predict that the Rangers will win the President's trophy by a hair over Vancouver and will eventually meet the Predators in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Cup winner will be the Predators and many will say that there should be an asterisk in the record book due to the shortened season.

So there it is, guesses as bad as anyone else's. At least in this storybook fantasy, there is a happy ending for the citizens of Smashville.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsontheGlass

Predators set roster for Opening Night versus Jackets

After an abbreviated training camp, there were only a couple of surprises in the Predators 23 man opening night roster that was announced today.

The final cut was forward Chris Mueller who has played 19 games with the Preds over the last couple of seasons. Another surprise was that the team kept eight defensemen, including 24 year old Victor Bartley, who has never played in an NHL contest but was recently named an AHL all-star. Bartley was signed as a free agent in the summer of 2011 and has had one and a half solid seasons in Milwaukee of the AHL.

The roster marks the return of defenseman Jon Blum who struggled early last season after playing well for the Preds in late in the 2010-11 season and playoffs.

Goalie Chis Mason returns to the Predators organization for his third stent with the team, dating back to the franchise's first season when he appeared in three games as a rookie. Always a fan favorite, he has played with St. Louis and Atlanta/Winnipeg since he left the Preds in 2008.

Former Sharks D-man, Scott Hannan, will make his Predator debut after playing 348 career regular season games for San Jose, where he had 79 points and a plus-37 rating. He also played in 58 playoff games having a goal and adding 12 assists.

The roster also features forward Richard Clune, a pick up during training camp, that brings similar talents to the ice that former Pred Jordin Tootoo provided in year's past. Clune appeared in 14 games and 4 playoff contests for the L.A. Kings in 2009 and has since patrolled the ice for the Manchester Monarchs, posting picking up 601 penalty minutes over the last three full seasons.

Missing from the squad is a surprise from last year's team, forward Gabriel Bourque, who came up at mid season and played 43 games, picking up seven goals and twelve assists as a rookie. He also picked up five points in ten playoff games. Injuries have limited him to 13 games in Milwaukee this season.

Finally, with Ryan Suter leaving for Minnesota, Marty Erat was awarded the second "A" as the alternate captain along with Mike Fisher. The newly re-signed, Shea Weber remains captain and probably will retain that title for years to come.

Saturday's puck drop against the Columbus Blue Jackets will be shortly after 7 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

Make the jump for the full release from the Nashville Predators...

The NHL is back, so what now?

Early this morning, after an all day and night bargaining session between the NHL and NHLPA, with an assist to US federal mediators, a tentative agreement was reached that should lead to a shortened 2013 season, that will allegedly begin in the next couple of weeks.

It is reported that it will be a ten-year deal so most current players will not have to go through another labor dispute during their careers and fans will not have another lockout looming on the horizon anytime soon.

The big winners in the dispute resolution are the folks whose livelihood depends on games being played and fans filling the arenas. All of the arena workers who have lost 15 or 16 home games worth of income should soon be manning their posts in 30 venues across North America.

Other businesses and employees that depend on foot traffic from games to sell dinners, drinks, and fan related merchandise are also on the winning side of the ledger.

I am also thrilled for journalists and radio media who can actually discuss topics related to the actual sport of hockey instead of the latest rumors (or lack there of) regarding the negotiations.

I have hung with NHL Radio on XM for the duration of the lockout and found that they are quite entertaining without hockey as the centerpiece of the discussion. I am looking forward to the drone of the season where the arguments are about how many games someone should be suspended for an illegal hit.

The big losers, in the short run, are the owners and players who pissed away a third of the season and came across as greedy entities with no regard for the game of hockey or the fans that provide the revenue to be able to earn livings based on playing and presenting a child’s game from frozen ponds of the north.

So what now? Do the fans act as mindless drones and run back to the arenas as they did after the 2004-2005 lockout or have they found other things to do to fill time and spend their entertainment dollars.

My friend Su Ring compared the situation to a boyfriend or girlfriend that disappears for six months and then shows back up on the front doorstep one day and expects things to be the same with no love lost.

From a look at social media today, it appears most fans don’t mind getting ignored by their boy/girlfriend as long as they eventually come back.

I understand the intense love of the game that is somewhat special to hockey fans but before they go all giddy, they should really take a hard look at what has occurred over the last hundred plus days and consider how they have been treated by those who are supposed to be the caretakers of the game.

Forgiveness is a great virtue but not one to be taken lightly.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Merry Christmas from the Oakes Family

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 Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

Shea Weber speaks on Illegal Curve Radio

With very little to report on the Predators recently, our friends over at Illegal Curve bring something to us when they actually spoke to Preds Captain Shea Weber on their weekly podcast.

Weber participated in The Goals For Dreams Charity Event and game at the The Max Bell Arena in Calgary last Saturday. Chris Mason and Colin Wilson also participated in the game.

During the interview, Weber covered a wide range of topics including the player workouts in Nashville, his recent contract, the Olympics, the CBA negotiations, and the hockey scene and fans in Smashville.

Go here to listen to the Illegal Curve podcast and hear the the entire interview.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Do not miss tonight's Predators Pizza Party at A-Game Sports!

As the lockout drags on, the Nashville Predators are having an event tonight that Preds fans do not want to miss.

Gnash is hosting a very special "Pizza Party" (free of course) at 6:15 p.m. at A-Game sports at 215 Gothic Court, in Franklin. When you enter the building go to "The Turf" which is upstairs, above the the basketball courts.

Over 500 folks are expected so be sure and arrive early and most of all, wear your gold and bring anything you can to be loud (Noisemakers, Thunder sticks, Cowbells, clappers, etc). This will be a once in a lifetime event that will go down in Predators history and that you want to be a part of.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

POTG guests on All the Kings Men podcast

As we muddle through the dog days of the lockout, I had the opportunity to guest on All The Kings Men podcast that was taped on Monday night. Thanks to Jesse Cohen and The Royal Half (aka Mr. Half) for having me on.

It was one of the more fun shows that I have participated in lately. We touched on a wide range of topics and even talked a little Dixie Flyers and "Predator Gold" jerseys.

Check it out here as well as the other shows in their series of "30 fans in 30 days" where they are making a run through the NHL with plenty of interesting folks.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

FS TN to present the best of the best for hockey starved fans

With the Preds opening game against the Red Wings cancelled on Friday and the home opener gone for Saturday night, the Predators and Fox Sports Tennessee have stepped in to provide historic video footage of  top games from the Predators' first 14 seasons to try to fill the void..

It all kicks off on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. when the Predators game five, series clinching win over the Detroit Red wings is re-aired. Make the jump for all the details about upcoming "Predators' Golden Classics"...

Could Nashville's future NHL All-Star Game bid be affected by the lockout?

At this point, Nashville Predator fans appear to be somewhat optimistic that the current NHL lockout will be relatively short-lived and that their beloved Preds will be on the ice sooner than later.

Many pundits and "experts" point to the New Year's Day Winter Classic as a key date that the NHL owners, the NHLPA, as well as their broadcast partner, NBC feel that will need to take place to maintian the leagues viability as a major sport in the United States.

So what if it doesn't get resolved by year's end, or if it does, what if this year's All-Star game in Columbus is cancelled with additional regular season games added to the schedule in it's place?

Nashville, with its brand-spanking new Music City Center, set to be completed next year, adjacent to Bridgesone Arena, has been considered to be the front-runner for the next NHL All-Star game.

Prior to the lockout, there was uncertainty as to whether or not NHL players would play in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which has precluded All-Star games from being held in Olympic years.

If the 2013 All-Star game were to be cancelled, would Columbus automatically be given the next one to be awarded?

Adam Proteau, of the Hockey News, recently looked at what occurred after the 2005 game was cancelled in Atlanta. There was no game in 2006 due to the Olympics. On January 23, 2006, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman disappointed the Thrasher faithful by giving the 2007 All-Star game to Dallas.

Atlanta had to wait until 2008 to finally celebrate the NHL's All-Star's visit to the Phillips Arena.

So basically, you would assume, that the Nashville Predators, as well as city officials are hoping for a quick resolution to the NHL lockout so that the picture will not be clouded with compitition from Columbus for the next All-Star game, which with NHL Olympic participation, would be in 2015.

This is just one of many unknowns as the NHL lockout trudges along with no end in sight.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators fill the gap with activities and games the next two Saturdays

Prior to the cancellation of the first two weeks of the NHL season, the Nashville Predators were scheduled to have a pair of the season's best draws on the first two Saturdays of the year.

On Saturday, October 13, the St. Louis Blues were set to invade Bridgestone Arena to defend their Central Division title on the Predators' home opening night.

A week later, on October 20th, the Predators had a visit from the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the agenda.

Unfortunately, those games will not happen, along with home games with the Avalanche and Canucks during the week of October 14.

That has not prevented the Predators from doing their best to stay front and center in the hearts and minds of their loyal fans and season ticket holders.

This Saturday, October 13, The Predators are planning an series of events that will include a plaza party, open skate, youth hockey games, movie night and the Social Media Scavenger Hunt.

The scavenger hunt will begin at 10 a.m and run until 2:30 p.m. Predators' season tickets, as well as tickets to all other concerts at Brigdestone Arena, await the grand prize winners.Go here for complete details of the hunt.

The following Saturday, October 20, Nashvillians will get a rare chance to experience minor league hockey action when 102.5 The Game will present a preseason SPHL game between the Knoxville Ice Bears and Huntsville Havoc at Bridgestone Arena.

Game time will be at 7 p.m. and will be free to Predator season ticket holders and $10.25 to the public. All proceeds will go to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as part of the Nashville Predators’ We Care for Kids program in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

Earlier in the day there will be Adult Skills Development Clinic at 1:30 p.m. CT, followed by a Vanderbilt University Alumni game at 4 p.m. Go here for details on all of the day's activities.

With NHL games being cancelled, the Nashville Predators are to be commended to doing their best to keep the Predator spirit alive in Smashville.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators staff continues longstanding tradition of "Community Relations Week"

While the NHL-NHLPA labor dispute trudges onward with no end in sight. The Nashville Predators organization will continue its annual "Community Relations Week."

Normally, all of the Predators' players divide up and make appearances at many of the organizations that benefit from the efforts of the Predators Foundation. This year, Nashville Predators staff members, broadcasters, coaches and personalities will be filling in for the players all over town.

Make the jump to see all the locations and who will be where...

Do I miss the NHL? Not any more!

I saw this instead of a meaningless pre-season game

A week from tonight should have been the Predators home opener against the St. Louis Blues in a critical game as this year's version of the Preds had the best shot of winning the division title in franchise history.

I'm still a believer in the Preds potential this season (if there is one) as I placed bets on the Preds to win the Western Conference as well as the Stanley Cup when I was at Harvey's Casino in Lake Tahoe earlier this week. Granted, I was playing with house money that I collected on a wager from last season when I bet on  Pekka Rinne to have the most NHL wins for the year.

What I'm not a believer in is spending a moment worrying about missing hockey due to the incredibly ridiculous "lockout" with the first two weeks of the season having already been written off.

Screw everyone involved in the process.

One of the most respected writers in the business, and president of the PHWA, Kevin Allen, laid it out simply for all parties as to where it will inevitably end up at a 50/50 split of "hockey related revenue."

At this point, both sides are posturing for the best outcome for their sides. Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr are to be commended for their efforts for the parties that they represent.

However, they should be condemned for what they are doing to the fans and the workers who depend on games being played in order to put food on the table for their families.

I personally am losing income, based on web page hit count, because I refuse to put up a post every day about nonsense about negotiations and things that don't matter for a season that never was (so far).

Will I be all excited and ready to write daily updates about the Predators when, and if there is a new CBA and hockey returns? At this point, I really don't know.

I have had plenty to keep me occupied in the last couple of weeks during what should have been the preseason when I could have been talking to Austin Watson or many of the other Pred's prospects about their first real shot at the NHL during training camp.

I have traveled to Crater Lake and the Oregon coast, spent the night at Point Arena Lighthouse, and went to Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. In my travels, I didn't meet one person who gave a flying flip about the NHL or the lockout, and I didn't either.

Last night, I came completely unglued over the horrible call on the "infield fly" ruling in the Atlanta Braves wild-card game with the Cardinals. Was I missing NHL hockey? Not at all. I was emotionally tied to my former favorite sports franchise, the Braves.

Tonight, I'm trying to absorb four college football games that I normally would have ignored if hockey was staring next week. Am I thinking about hockey? Not at all other than realizing that I don't miss it while I tie in to other things.

The NHL and the NHLPA should be concerned when a writer who has committed forty to fifty hours a week to their cause in exchange for minimal income finds other ways to pass time.

Therefore, I don't want to hear about negotiations on non-financial points or anything else that desperate hockey writers want to post as news until there is something real to discuss..

When an agreement is signed on the dotted line, wake me up and see if I care.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators renew agreement with Cincinnati

While the NHL Predators continue to be locked out of Bridgestone Arena, some Predator prospects will again be playing in Cincinnati for the Cyclones of the ECHL again this season.

The Predators announced that their agreement with the team would continue this season which will allow Preds prospects as well as those hoping to earn as spot in Milwaukee a place to play. Here is the full release from the Predators...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS RENEW AFFILIATION WITH THE CINCINNATI CYCLONES
- Predators’ secondary developmental affiliate the past five seasons has won two Kelly Cup titles since 2008-

Nashville, Tenn. (October 5, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has renewed its affiliation with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones. The Cyclones have served as Nashville’s secondary developmental affiliate since the 2007-08 season, winning a pair of Kelly Cup titles (2008 and 2010) in that span.

The Cyclones will function as a developmental affiliate for both Nashville, and its primary developmental affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. Cincinnati plays its home games at the 14,453-seat U.S. Bank Arena, located downtown next to Great American Ballpark.

“Partnering with a franchise that has a tradition of winning, in a city with a strong hockey history, will allow our players to develop as professionals in a successful environment,” Predators Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton said. “We are confident that those Cyclones who are called upon will contribute consistently to the success of the Milwaukee Admirals.  The Predators are excited to continue our relationship with the Cyclones.”

Founded in 1990 as an ECHL franchise, the Cyclones competed in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1992-2001.  The Cyclones went 23-17-4 (.568 winning percentage) in games versus Milwaukee during that nine-year stretch.  After the IHL ceased operations in 2001, the Cyclones returned to the ECHL for three more seasons.

After two seasons of inactivity – including one without professional hockey in Cincinnati – the Cyclones rejoined the ECHL in time for 2006-07, and quickly captured two Kelly Cup championships (2008 and 2010), two North Division titles (2008 and 2009), a Brabham Cup (league’s best record) and made three consecutive trips to the American Conference Finals (2008, 2009 and 2010).

During Cincinnati’s run to the 2010 Kelly Cup, Predators 2007 second-round pick Jeremy Smith garnered co-playoff MVP honors, minding the Cyclones net in 17 of their 24 games. In 2011-12, Nashville prospects Chet Pickard (2008 first-round pick), Taylor Aronson (2010 third-round pick) and Ben Ryan (2007 fourth-round pick) all saw time with the club.

The Cyclones have been under the guidance of Head Coach Jarrod Skalde since the 2010-11 season. The Niagara Falls, Ont., native has 20 years of service in professional hockey, 17 as a player in the NHL, IHL, AHL and overseas, and as a head coach since 2008.

The ECHL is the leading professional developmental league for the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.  The league began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast circuit that will see 23 teams playing in 16 states in 2011-12, its 25th season.  There have been nearly 500 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass