Category: Hockey News

Noteworthy Notes: Welcome Back, Trotz!

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barry

Unless you live under a rock and are just now crawling up from underneath it, you know that a certain someone who helped establish Nashville as a legitimate hockey town will be making an appearance tonight on the opposing team’s bench. Yes, Mitch Korn will be here also but I’m talking about former Predators head coach (and now head coach of the Washington Capitals), Barry Trotz.

If you were lucky enough to score tickets to tonight’s match up (the game sold out a few days ago), you’ll be certain to get a little teary-eyed with a touching tribute video to the former coach who helped Nashville in so many ways both on and off the ice. But don’t you dare forget this man is here to collect two points and hit the road and what better way to continue their three-game winning streak than to knock out the league leader?

  • Forsberg-Ribeiro-Smith, Wilson-Fisher-Neal, Cullen-Jarnkrok-Jokinen, and Bourque-Gaustad-Beck were today’s lines during practice.
  • Eric Nystrom skated with the team this morning (his second straight practice), but since he is not listed in the lines above, don’t expect him in the game tonight.
  • If you missed any information yesterday, Pekka Rinne will be out for around 3-5 weeks due to his sprained knee injury.
  • Marek Mazanec was called up from Miwaukee to backup Carter Hutton in Rinne’s absence.
  • As a stark reminder of how you should have some faith in Carter Hutton, one year ago today he made one of the most incredible (very Pekka-esque) saves ever… well, made:

From the World Wide World of Twitter:

https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/556135957721022464

Marek Mazanec recalled by Preds; Rinne out 3-5 Weeks

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marek_mazanec_nashville_predators_feature_12_13_13

Source: Yahoo! Sports

When did I get the solid clue that Marek Mazanec would be recalled to Nashville to fill in for Pekka Rinne?

…When Admirals Roundtable tweeted that Mazanec did not travel with the team to Hamilton, Ontario to for their bout against the Bulldogs. Oh yea, and when they also announced that the Admirals had called up Rob Madore from the Cincinnati Cyclones.

What was originally announced as possibly three games missed has now turned into 3-5 weeks for Pekka Rinne, who is suffering from a sprain in his knee. Ouchies. However, he will also miss the All-Star Game – while a bummer – is actually a blessing in disguise; that break could be a lifesaver along the way, especially considering after Saturday’s game in Detroit, the Predators have one game within a 9-day span. Pekka will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break to determine if his sprain is more severe, though I am staying on the positive side and saying he’ll be back before four weeks.

Also look at this bright side, my comrades: If you recall, Mazanec received the NHL Rookie of the Month status back in November of 2013, when he covered 25 games for Nashville (due to an ailing Pekka Rinne). Needless to say, Marek Mazanec has his feet wet and, with a record of 11-8-3-1 this season, he’ll be a great replacement part for Rinne while he mends. It must be noted though, that Mazanec will more than likely back up current backup to Rinne, Carter Hutton.

Preds trample Canucks 5-1; Rinne Injured in Process

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IMG_3589

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Predators improved their record to 29-9-4 after trampling the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 last night, but that wasn’t before losing goaltender Pekka Rinne a few minutes into the third period. Chris Higgins slid into Rinne while storming the crease and both collided into the boards. Higgins got up unscathed; Peks, on the other hand, was a little more hesitant. After reluctantly leaving the ice, it was announced that Rinne had suffered a lower-body injury and would not return for the remainder of the game. Carter Hutton, who had been sitting stone-cold for a good two hours, was prepared to be thrown to the metaphorical wolves.

SCRATCHES: Viktor Stalberg and Mark Arcobello

First Period:

  • Craig Smith got the ball rolling at 4:07 with a powerplay goal, which – notably – Nashville has gotten a better hand at, to say the least. Colin Wilson (15) and Mike Ribeiro snag the assists on Smith’s 13th goal of the season.
  • After notching an assist, Colin Wilson would collect his 13th goal of the season at 6:22 to put Nashville up 2-0 early. Mike Fisher (8) and James Neal (11) would assist in Wilson’s goal.
  • SOG – NSH: 12, SOG – VAN: 9

Second Period:

  • Vancouver came out in the second with a fire lit under their pants, giving Nashville the runaround for a majority of the period. Alexander Edler would put the Canucks on the board at 2:47 for his fifth goal of the season.
  • SOG – NSH: 9, SOG – VAN: 11

Third Period:

  • And we have reached the point in the post where we return to the first paragraph: Vancouver’s Higgins slides into Rinne, causing both to crash into the boards behind the net.
    MeekFatherlyFlickertailsquirrelAs you can see, it really wasn’t that bad of a collision and Anton Volchenkov also had a play in Rinne hitting into the boards (but we like to blame the Canucks for any and everything). As previously mentioned, Rinne was hesitant to leave the game and left on his own power, leading me to believe that Rinne being pulled from the remainder of the game was more of a precautionary tool than anything. Let me finish the recap and we’ll return to this subject.
  • Carter Hutton wiped off his cap, slapped on his pads, and hit the ice, his first appearance on home ice this entire season (his previous five appearances were on the road).
  • The Canucks pressured Hutton and the net well after he entered the game, but a noticeable fire was lit under the Predators.
  • Filip Forsberg put the Predators up 3-1 at 13:32 for his 15th goal of the season. Mike Ribeiro (29) and Victor Bartley (6) notched the assists.
  • Mike Fisher would take the Preds up 4-1 at 15:31 for his 8th goal of the season. James Neal (12) and Colin Wilson (16) would tally an assist from Fisher’s goal.
  • And, what was originally called as Craig Smith’s goal, Colin Wilson collected his second goal of the night (14th overall) on the powerplay at 17:39, taking the wheels right out from under the Canucks.
  • SOG – NSH: 9, SOG – VAN: 11

Noteworthy Notes:

  • Carter Hutton, though he came in for Rinne in the third, does not actually collect the win; Pekka still does. This is due in part to the fact Hutton did not allow a goal, but Rinne did during his time in net. Had Hutton allowed a goal and Nashville still won, he would’ve collected the win.
  • Hutton did, however, stop the ten shots on goal that came his way, and many were pretty nail-biting.
  • Mike Ribeiro continues to be a proving asset to the Predators as he has now tallied 20 points in his last 20 games.
  • This is the third time in Colin Wilson’s career that he has tallied four points within a game. The kid’s on fire.
  • Back to Pekka: Later on after the game, it was announced that Rinne was day-to-day with his lower-body injury and that he would be re-evaluated on Thursday. Again, I believe that he being pulled from the game last night was purely precautionary and a “rather be safe than sorry” scenario; boy, do I hope I am right. Because he was able to get up on his own, stretch, and debated on whether he’d go back to the net or not is my reasoning behind believing this may just be a safety measure. Again, I really, really hope I am right. As great as Nashville has been, Pekka Rinne is a huge factor in that success and it would be hard to seal those gritty wins without him.

The Predators take two days off – plenty of time to work some kinks out – and then welcome in Barry Trotz (and Joel Ward, Mike Latta, and Jack Hillen) to Nashville on Friday. It is also Mike Fisher bobblehead night, though I think the game may already be sold out. Stub Hub and NHL Ticket Exchange have tickets available, but – in personal experience – my tickets sold in less than fifteen minutes yesterday. Needless to say, if you want to go, you better get on it.

As for Pekka Rinne, I will keep you updated as news becomes available regarding his condition. Cross your fingers, say your prayers, do whatever your little superstitious heart desires, Preds fans.

Arcobello placed on Waivers; Neal off IR

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neal

Our time together was fleeting, dear Mark Arcobello, but alas, it looks as those James Neal has mended from his lower-body injury and is ready to return to the lineup.

Yes, James Neal will return to the lineup tonight against the 23-14-3 Vancouver Canucks tonight and Mark Arcobello, who scored his first goal (eighth of the season) with the Predators back on January 3rd against the Kings.

Neal was expected to return sooner rather than later due in part to participating in practice with the team as of late. It is also worth noting that Eric Nystrom did skate in practice today as well, meaning he, too could be returning to the lineup soon.

Rinne, Weber, Forsberg added to 2015 All-Star Roster

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PicMonkey Collage

And, just as promised, the NHL released its selection of players who will attend this year’s All-Star Weekend in Columbus, Ohio. With no surprise, Shea Weber, Pekka Rinne, and rookie Filip Forsberg made the cut, though a few other Predators players could have easily made the cut as well.

Though, we should count our lucky stars with three representatives, nonetheless; three is the most Nashville has ever had in its short existence. There’s no doubt Roman Josi was certainly snubbed, along with Mike Ribeiro, but again, as great as all three have been, in my own personal opinion, I’m surprised we landed all three.

This is Shea Weber’s third appearance at an All-Star event, but this will be both Pekka Rinne and Filip Forsberg’s first bout. Though Weber and Rinne will participate in the actual game, Forsberg will be limited to the Skills Competition.

Ah, and let us not forget that the Predators coaching staff will also be there.
In the long shot, you could make valid arguments for both Ribeiro and Josi, but take a deep breath and be thankful Nashville will be well represented with not only the league-leading goaltender, the leading-in-everything rookie, the all-powerful defenseman (who’s 5th in points), and a league-leading coaching staff.

Noteworthy Notes: Injuries, Reassignments & All-Star Game

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Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America

There’s no hangover for Nashville after claiming both victory over the Dallas Stars in OT and the No. 1 spot in the League, but there is noteworthy news to be discussed.

  • After making his NHL debut and scoring his first NHL career goal, Right Winger Miikka Salomaki has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.
  • Salomaki’s reassignment is more than likely due in part to James Neal, Taylor Beck, and Matt Cullen hitting the ice in today’s practice (along with practicing in more recent ones as well, too). All three are registered on IR, with Neal being the most recent due to a lower-body injury. Matt Cullen (upper-body) and Taylor Beck (illness) should be ready to return to the active roster pretty soon. 12:53PM Update: Both Taylor Beck and Matt Cullen have been activated from the Injured Reserve.
  • No word has been released on how serious of an injury Ryan Ellis sustained last night. Ellis left the ice during the second period, did not return for the remainder of said game, and did not participate in team practice this morning. It is known, however, to be a lower-body injury of sorts.

  • Still no word on what injury caused Eric Nystrom to be placed on the IR so quickly.
  • Head Coach Peter Laviolette has been named one of the Head Coaches for the 2015 All-Star Game in Columbus! Darryl Sutter of the L.A. Kings will be the other head coach.

Welp, that’s the news for now. Of course, if anything else pops up – like if the NHL wants to ignore the Predators some more – it’ll be added to the list!

NSH claims 1st in League after OT Win over DAL

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Source: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images

Source: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images

Though it landed in overtime, the Predators captured the all-important two points to claim first in not only the Western Conference, but the entire League. Wowza. Or, as Sean McIndoe so eloquently put it:

Did the Predators ruin a bunch of predictions for the 2014-15 NHL season? Yea, I am going to go ahead and say that’s a big y-e-s to that one. It’s certainly not a bad thing. No one, not even the loyalest of fans, could have imagine that the Nashville Predators would be 27-9-4 at the beginning of January. And no one surely could’ve imagined that would be good enough to take the League. A team from Nashville?

I know, world; it’s hard to believe a bunch of hillbillies could muster the best team in the league. I must ask, though, as to why that always comes up. None of these guys [players], let alone the majority of the staff, administration, organization, what have you, aren’t even from Tennessee! Haters gonna hate. Shake it off.

SCRATCHES: Anton Volchenkov

First Period:

  • Shea Weber set the game in motion at 15:27 with a signature slapshot past Kari Lehtonen for his ninth goal of the season. Mike Ribeiro (27) and Roman Josi (19) collect the assists.
  • Nashville would end the first period leading the Stars 1-0.

Second Period:

  • Jason Spezza would tie the game at 12:51, his seventh goal of the season.
  • In his NHL debut, nonetheless, Miikka Salomaki would claim his first career NHL goal at 16:47, pushing Nashville back into the lead 2-1. Roman Josi (20) and Calle Jarnkrok (6) collected the assists.
  • With just two seconds left in the period, Trevor Daley would sink one past Pekka Rinne to tie the game at two heading into the third.

Third Period:

  • Though it falls in the books that there were no goals tallied in the third period, a different story could be said for Preds fans. In a battle to get the puck to the net, Craig Smith got tied up with Kari Lehtonen, which allowed Filip Forsberg to sweep in for the score. Lindy Ruff and the Dallas bench called foul, claiming Smith was keeping Lehtonen from covering the post. Though originally called a goal, the play was then reversed in a matter of Smith committed “incidental contact” on Lehtonen. Of course, on review, it is clear that Jason Demers is crosschecking Smith into Lehtonen, thus causing the “incidental contact”, but it is all in the books at this point.

Overtime:

  • In a game that should’ve ended in regulation, Shea Weber sealed the victory in favor of Nashville just seventeen seconds into overtime, his second of the night and 10th goal of the season. Mike Fisher (7) and Colin Wilson (13) picked up the assists on Weber’s game winning goal.

Game. Set. Match. With the anticipated two points, the Predators bumped the Anaheim Ducks from the top of the Western Conference and League standings. However, Nashville isn’t out of the clear; both they and Anaheim share 58 points, but because the Ducks have played two more games, the Predators notch the top spot. With that, in order to push further ahead, Nashville will need to beat Minnesota tomorrow in regulation (or at least get one point) and hope that Anaheim gets steamrolled by the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

So Preds fans, bask in the glory that is top of the Central Division, Western Conference, and League.
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Nystrom & Neal added to IR; Salomaki recalled to NSH

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ericandjames

After being recalled by Nashville this past week & sitting patiently on the Scratched list, Miikka Salomaki may finally be making his NHL debut tonight against the Dallas Stars.

There’s a good chance he’ll make his debut tonight due in part to both Eric Nystrom and James Neal being officially placed on the Injured Reserve. Though Neal’s placement was eminent, Nystrom comes as a bit of a surprise. I am not sure where he sustained an injury, as he seemed fine against the Hurricanes Tuesday and no news off an injury came about afterwards (until now).

It is interesting to note, however, that both Taylor Beck and Matt Cullen participated in today’s practice (they are both currently on IR). During this morning’s skate, Salomaki formed a third line alongside Olli Jokinen and Calle Jarnkrok, but we shall see if he truly makes his debut sometime before game start.

NSH trades Roy to EDM; Aquires Arcobello

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Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America

It came as bit of surprise to see Derek Roy’s name come up on waivers yesterday, but as the day went on, it became more understandable as to why he had been. With just one goal and nine assists, Roy was slipping silently through the cracks of the Predators organization. Compared to past seasons, a one goal/nine assists Forward would’ve been just another name on the roster; but things are different this season in Nashville. With fellow Forwards like Colin Wilson – who has ten goals/eight assists – and Filip Forsberg – who has fourteen goals/twenty assists, it’s easy to see how players, like Derek Roy (and even Olli Jokinen) can be left in a frustrated dust.

So, who’s this Mark Arcobello guy? Besides having a fun name to pronounce, here is an excerpt from the Predators press release from earlier this afternoon:

Arcobello, 26 (8/12/88), has 12 points (7g-5a) in 36 games for the Oilers this season, and 30 points (11g-19a) in 78 National Hockey League games since 2012-13. The 5-9, 165-pound native of Milford, Connecticut also has 161 points (60g-101a) in 188 American Hockey League games since turning pro in 2010-11, and appeared in the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic.

An undrafted free agent signee by Edmonton out of college, Arcobello spent four seasons at Yale University from 2006-10, amassing 116 points (49g-67a) in 131 games. He was a 2009 Second-Team All-American while helping the Bulldogs to the 2009 ECAC title.

Seven goals, five assists thus far this season. I believe that is something that the Predators and Laviolette can work with, yea? Arcobello is expected to meet with the team tomorrow before the home game against St. Louis, though don’t expect to see him on the ice. Derek Roy, it was a good three months; we wish you well in Edmonton and your future endeavors!

Update, Update: Viktor Stalberg placed on Waivers

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Source: Kristen Jerkins Photography

Source: Kristen Jerkins Photography

Well, it you are truly at all surprised by this move by the Predators, you have certainly been living under a rock for a good portion of the season. However, from the presser released by the organization, the decision was made in order to assign Stalberg to Nashville’s farm team, the Milwaukee Admirals. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

After missing six weeks of action due to a knee injury, Stalberg is prepared to return to action. With the NHL roster freeze going into effect on Friday at 11:59 p.m. CT and lasting until 12:01 a.m. CT on Dec. 28, and the team being at the 23-player roster maximum, the move was necessary before the team heads out for its final three games before the holiday break.

“A couple of injuries early in the season have prevented this from being the season Viktor trained all summer for,” General Manager David Poile said. “He has worked hard to return to the lineup. With Paul Gaustad and Taylor Beck day-to-day and still on our 23-man roster, the best option for Viktor and the organization at this time is to place Viktor on waivers with the hope that he will clear, go to Milwaukee to play games and continue his efforts to be ready for NHL game action.”

You can read the full presser here. Stalberg has certainly been having a rough season thus far. Expected to shine last season when he was signed to a four-year, $12 million deal during the off-season, the Swedish forward has been a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. With the booting of Trotz, Stalberg’s promise began circulating once more as he would be under new coaching with Laviolette. Unfortunately, due to reoccurring injuries, that expectation has been all but dashed once more. But, as you read above, Nashville’s intent is to keep Stalberg within the organization, meaning they do see the potential he could provide. However, it comes under the risk of placing him on waivers and hoping he clears without another team shooting him an offer.

Update:
It looks as though Stalberg has indeed cleared waivers and will now be assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. This favors Nashville ultimate plan for Stalberg, but many teams could’ve benefited from acquiring the young forward. Unfortunately, that hefty contract that he signed with the Predators proved to be a major turnoff to the rest of the league, thus allowing him to clear waivers.

Update No. 2:
Not even an hour after posting the first update, the Predators recall Viktor Stalberg to their active roster. This move comes as Paul Gaustad has been placed on Injured Reserve due to a lower body injury. So there you have it; Stalberg had a wonderful stint on waivers, yes?