Update: It has officially been announced from the mouth of Gary Bettman that Nashville will indeed host the 2016 NHL All-Star Celebration on January 30-31st, 2016. The Skills Competition will be held on the 30th, with the All-Star Game being held on the 31st. So now you can officially have a freak out moment in your office. Or at least, I am allowing myself to do so.
We know you have questions on how this is going to work. The Preds already have it covered with this handy-dandy FAQ!
Wait – What does that title say? Yes, you read that right; Nashville will be the host of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. And yes, if I were a guy named Chris Pratt, this would totally be my reaction. The NHL will formally address this announcement Friday at 11AM at the Bridgestone Arena, with Gary Bettman in tow. Try to contain your excitement, please! Nah, go ahead and celebrate.
Happy Friday, everyone and boy, doesn’t it feel good to officially have hockey back in the Athens of the South? The Preds made sure you were awake last night as the narrowed passed the Ottawa Senators for a 3-2 victory in their Home Opener. So, without further ado, here is your recap from last night’s nail-biter:
Scratches/IR: Victor Bartley, Taylor Beck, Mike Fisher (IR), Matt Cullen (IR), Viktor Stalberg (IR).
Notes before the Game: Has everyone seen the awesome opening video/projector-on-ice show that the Preds outdid themselves with last night? If you haven’t, we have the YouTube link below, but if you want to see this in person, you better have or find tickets to Saturday’s game against Dallas. Jump to the 2:00 minute mark to see the projector show in action — special thanks to Jeremy K. Gover for the video.
Pardon my language but… that was pretty. damn. cool. Again, if you missed it last night, be there tomorrow night.
First Period:
– No goals with Nashville out-shooting Ottawa 13 to 9.
Second Period: – Ottawa would strike first on the board at 1:15 into the 2nd Period with goal from Kyle Turris. The Senators would hold Nashville at bay through the remainder of the second period. – Nashville would remain on top of Ottawa in terms of shots, taking 10 to Ottawa’s five. – In an “old habits die hard” moment, David Legwand – who spent an eon with the Predators and was their first ever draft pick – headed to the wrong penalty box after tripping Seth Jones. .Gif courtesy of the fine folks over at On The Forecheck.
Third Period A.K.A. Wakey-Wakey Time: – Thanks to a penalty from Jared Cowen at 19:41 in the second period, Nashville started the third period out with a lovely power play, which Craig Smith took advantage of for his first goal of the season. Smith was assisted by Filip Forsberg (1) and Derek Roy (1). – Less than seven minutes later, Shea Weber would give the Predators a 2-1 with a wrap around goal with some assistance from Ryan Ellis (1) and Paul Gaustad (1). – Not to be outdone, Eric Nystrom would answer at 10:20 with his first goal of the season, pushing Nashville up 3-1 with assistance from Paul Gaustad (2) and Filip Forsberg (2). – However, the Senators weren’t snoozing through the third. Ottawa’s Alex Chiasson would sink one past Pekka Rinne to put the Senators within one with a little under six minutes to go in regulation.
Even with Craig Smith taking a hooking penalty with less than two minutes left in regulation (and Leggy taking a holding call with under a minute left), the Predators whipped back and held the Senators at bay to win their first game of the season.
Three Stars of the Game:
First Star: Shea Weber
Second Star: Filip Forsberg
Third Star: Paul Gaustad
So, needless to say, Nashville started out on the right foot yesterday, though there definitely were some bumps in the road that need to be looked at and addressed. The Predators are back tomorrow at 7PM to take on division rivals, the Dallas Stars.
Word that left winger, Viktor Stalberg left practice today with an injury was just released by The Tennessean. Only on the ice for about 20 minutes, Stalberg reportedly could not place any weight on his right leg and will be re-evaluated within 24 hours. The Tennessean reported that he did, however, get up and walk to the locker room on his own with two trainers in tow. Stalberg, who had a relatively mundane season last year (8G, 10A, 18P), is expected to shine under new Head Coach Peter Laviolette this season. However, if this injury proves to be more serious than a simple off-season strain, we could see another year without the diamond that is Viktor Stalberg. The Predators venture to Tampa Bay for their first pre-season game tomorrow at 6:30PM.
You can read more details about Stalberg’s injury and today’s practice through The Tennessean.
Though you knew it was coming, it was announced just moments ago that Barry Trotz was relieved of his duties as Head Coach with the Nashville Predators.
Trotz has been there from the get-go; he even had a hand in selecting the franchise name. But after fifteen years and with little hope for a Stanley Cup, it was time to part ways.
What Barry Trotz has done for this organization cannot be overlooked nor replaced. He helped establish Nashville as a contender in hockey and placed Nashville on a permanent ice hockey map when it was deemed nearly impossible. Calling him a class act is an understatement & he will be genuinely missed, even by those who have been calling for his head since the beginning.
Though details as to who will be his replacement or any set reason for his firing haven’t been released, we will post it as soon as information becomes available. As for those wondering what will happen to Trotz? Don’t worry – he won’t be unemployed for long; he will make another NHL General Manager extremely happy.
What were your favorite Trotzy moments?
Barry Trotz did a lot for the franchise & the Nashville community. He was always great with media & the fans. #ThankYouTrotzy
NASHVILLE – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, the club’s second selection, 64th overall (third round), in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract.
Diaby, 19 (11/16/94), has appeared in nine games of the QMJHL’s Victoriaville Tigres since returning from offseason shoulder surgery on Dec. 5, amassing seven points (3g-4a) and 16 penalty minutes. In 146 games with Victoriaville since 2010-11, the 6-5, 240-pound blueliner has 42 points (8g-34a) and 216 penalty minutes. A season ago, he paced the Tigres in plus/minus rating (+12) and penalty minutes (117), and was one of just three QMJHL defensemen to finish the 2012-13 season with 25 points, 100 penalty minutes, and a +10 rating.
“Jonathan is a monster, and he’s not even there physically yet, so he has a lot of room for growth and strength,” Predators North American Amateur Scout Tom Nolan said. “He plays hard, is a terrific skater for his size, and can move the puck. He’s tough and plays physical. We see him as a shutdown-type of blueliner that takes up a lot of ice and is hard to play against.”
The Blainville, Quebec native was the 37th-rated North American skater in Central Scouting’s final rankings of 2013, and his father, Sékana, played soccer professionally in France and Turkey from 1986-97, and represented Ivory Coast in international competition, including the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup and 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Great felling to sign a first NHL contract. Thank you everyone. #Preds
The Predators made their way back to the familiarity of Bridgestone Arena Tuesday night, welcoming in the Minnesota Wild for their season home opener. The Wild, who were 0-0-2 coming into the game, had a slightly better – and we mean slightly – chance compared to Nashville’s 0-2-0 record. But there’s just something about the home crowd that instills some confidence and Nashville definitely exuded the offering. Here are some of the highlights from Tuesday’s game:
FIRST PERIOD:
Leave it to Zach Parise to take the first strike, notching a tip-in past Pekka Rinne at 4:05 on the powerplay, brought on due to Seth Jones hi-sticking Mikko Koivu. Koivu and Ryan Suter picked up the assists.
Youngster Filip Forsberg would retaliate at 5:07 with a powerplay goal of his own, sending a snapshot past Backstrom. Forsberg showed some rare emotion after his goal, understandably so considering it was his first career NHL goal. Patric Hornqvist picked up his second assist and rookie Seth Jones notched an assist; his first NHL career point.
Less than 40 seconds later, Colin Wilson would capitalize on the powerplay with a wrister at 5:46. Matt Cullen (1) and Mike Fisher (2) picked up the assists on Wilson’s first goal of the season.
Eric Nystrom would be awarded a penalty shot at 11:14 after being slashed by Keith Ballard from behind. After slamming into the goal, Nystrom actually injured goalie Niklas Backstrom, who left the game just before Nystrom’s penalty shot. Nystrom, who played with the Wild during the 2010-11 season, knew just where to send the puck around backup goalie, Josh Harding. Nailing the shot, the Preds then lead the Wild 3-1.
SECOND PERIOD:
The Wild would attempt to gain control at 7:26 with a powerplay wrister from Jared Spurgeon. Despite six penalties, Spurgeon was the only player to capitalize on said penalties in the second period.
THIRD PERIOD:
No goals were gained in the third, but there were a few penalties to be had.
Zach Parise was called for holding against Patric Hornqvist, who in turn was called for embellishment (diving) on the penalty. Personally, we don’t believe you can call both at the same time, but you can’t reverse the call and it didn’t hurt Nashville any.
With their first win of the season under their belt, Nashville gained some much needed confidence and morale. Not that the Predators are deemed unworthy of a decent season, they are still technically in a rebuilding stage. Shea Weber just hasn’t found his paired connection since Suter left for the North, despite he and Josi doing well together. However, with Roman out with a concussion, he has now been paired with the youngster that is Seth Jones. We’ll be honest; the pairing looks good, but it needs some work. But we all know that, in order to be the best, you have to work towards greatness. There are no shortcuts.
The Predators welcome the 3-1-0 Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night to Smashville. This will be only the fifth time Toronto has played in Nashville and Jonathan Bernier has his eyes set on continuing his outstanding record against the Preds.
After the thrilling 2-0 shutout against the New York Islanders in their first home preseason game, the Predators are out slashing the roster once again; this time knocking the number from 42 down to 27. Here are the recent moves recently announced by the club:
Austin Watson, Patrick Cehlin, Joonas Jarvinen, Joonas Rask, Colton Sissons, and Miikka Salomaki have been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).
The team now consists of the following players: Defensemen (8): Mattias Ekholm, Victor Bartley, Seth Jones, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi, Joe Piskula, Shea Weber and Kevin Klein. Forwards (16): Craig Smith, Nick Spaling, Taylor Beck, Rich Clune, Gabriel Bourque, Matt Cullen, Filip Forsberg, Mike Fisher, Matt Hendricks, Paul Gaustad, Patric Hornqvist, David Legwand, Simon Moser, Viktor Stalberg, Eric Nystrom and Colin Wilson Goaltenders (3): Pekka Rinne, Carter Hutton and Marek Mazanec
Also interesting to note: Filip Forsberg did not practice with the team this morning due to sustaining a lower-body injury during last night’s game against the Islanders. Though it isn’t expected to be threatening, he will not be in tomorrow’s lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Happy September, hockey diehards! Regular season is just around the corner, but preseason is revving its engine this month and we’ve got your Training Camp Schedule & Roster ready for you!
TRAINING CAMP ROSTER DEFENSE
Victor Bartley
Taylor Aronson
Anthony Bitetto
Kayle Doetzel*
Mattias Ekholm
Ryan Ellis
Scott Ford
Joonas Jarvinen
Seth Jones
Roman Josi
Kevin Klein
Michael Moffat*
Joe Piskula
Bryan Rodney
Charles-Olivier Roussel
Teddy Ruth*
Mikko Vainonen
Scott Valentine
Shea Weber FORWARDS
Taylor Beck
Barry Almeida
Gabriel Bourque
Zach Budish
Patrick Cehlin
Rich Clune
Paul Crowder
Matt Cullen
Mike Fisher
Filip Forsberg
Paul Gaustad
Sebastian Geoffrion*
Felix Girard
Kevin Henderson
Matt Hendricks
Patric Hornqvist
Brendan Leipsic
David Legwand
Simon Moser*
Michael Liambas
Eric Nystrom
Joonas Rask
Vinny Saponari
Miikka Salomaki
Josh Shalla
Colton Sissons
Craig Smith
Nick Spaling
Viktor Stalber
Mathieu Tousignant
Mark Van Guilder
Austin Watson
Colin Wilson
Tommy Veilleux GOALIES
Pekka Rinne
Scott Darling
Magnus Hellberg
Carter Hutton
Marek Mazanec
Eric Levine*
Cody Reichard*
Whoa! Rip van Winkle here, right? This off-season has been relatively quiet compared to years past, but we are okay with that (still eying you, Toots & Suter).
But we figured we’d wake the 20-year sleep for an update on number changes for the 2013-14 season. Because, we all want to scream out the correct name-to-player, right? It is a tad embarrassing when you yell the wrong name and you can only blame blurry contacts so many times.
So here’s the changes:
Eric Nystrom will continue wearing No. 24, a sure sign Matt Halischuk is officially gone.
Taylor Beck will no longer rep the No. 56, but now drop to No. 41.
Patrick Cehlin tends to favor No. 29, but donned No. 10 with the Admirals. He will carry that number over to the Predators, replacing the iconic Martin Erat.
Kevin Henderson will ditch No. 46 for Brandon Yip’s former No. 18.
Matt Cullen preferred No. 7 while with the Wild, so it’s only natural he’d take former Pred (now Minnesota Wild) Jonathon Blum’s number.
Viktor Stalberg, fresh off his Stanley Cup win, will continue his streak with the No. 25 for the Preds, taking Jerred Smithson’s old number.
Matt Hendricks rolled with No. 26 while with the Capitals, so he picks up where he left off with Nashville. To us, it will always be Steve Sullivan’s number.
Not too many changes, but hopefully this will prepare you for preseason in case you question why Martin Erat was back on the ice.What do you think about the number changes and additions?
It’s official: NHL players will be allowed to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, thanks to an agreement between the NHL & NHLPA and the IIHF & Olympic committee. The NHL will have an Olympic break between February 9th – 25th, with Team USA opening against Team Slovakia on Thursday, February 13th at 6:30AM. Team Canada will face off with Team Norway the same day at 11AM. This is the fifth consecutive Olympics the NHL has participated in since 1998 – so what’s the big deal on their agreement?
Well, the fact that it took them a bit longer than it should have and now they can finally release the 2013-14 regular season schedule! We will have it up for you once it’s available!
Pardon my language but… that was pretty. damn. cool. Again, if you missed it last night, be there tomorrow night.
Lady Preds 