Aww, he really, really likes us!

One of OnTheForecheck.com’s fans came across a a Russian-based newspaper article, which tells of Sergei Kostitsyn, no matter if he is a RFA or UFA, plans on staying in Nashville and signing when the Predators are ready. Now doesn’t that just make you smile? Obviously, SK74 is very thankful Nashville took him in after the Canadiens pretty much just handed him over and wants to stay here for the long haul. I am assuming Poile believes he will win the RFA/UFA situation because he has yet to make a move in signing contracts today. Let’s hope he’s right because we haven’t come across any interviews with the other six saying, no matter the pay, they plan on staying in Nashville.

So for all you SK74 fans (including myself), take a deep breath and thank your lucky stars our favorite Belorussian likes Nashville. Of course, just because he wants to stay here, doesn’t mean Poile will sign a contract (he is good about that, isn’t he?). Let’s hope he gets off the pot soon and starts signing before we lose half the team!

If you would like to read the article, check it out here: Kostitsyn loves us, yes he does.

It was only a matter of time before someone grabbed ole Sully!

Congrats to Steve Sullivan and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just signed Sully to a $1.5 Million, one year contract. Although a huge cut from his $3.75 Million he had with the Predators, at least Sully will be given another shot to continue his career in a seasoned hockey town. He will be sorely missed around these parts, but we are happy to see him continue his career like he had hoped.

As reported earlier, Joel Ward was also signed by the Washington Capitals and Marcel Goc was signed by the Florida Panthers. We wish them all well in their new beginnings and will miss them all.

Good luck, Sully!

 

Our Wardo just made a huge bonus...

Did Washington just shell out a butt load of money for our Joel Ward? Why yes, yes they did. $12 Million for 4 years, that is. Talk about a nice pay day indeed!

It’s nice to see other teams shelling out contracts to players, but it seems David Poile is sleeping the day away and has forgotten he has shipped almost half of his team elsewhere. Of course, Nashville has never made a decision on July 1st, and it’s looking like this year will not be any different.

We will miss our Wardo, but a lot of fans and bloggers were expecting him to leave us this coming season. It was rumored that he would be offered a ridiculous amount and, since there are about seventy “Wards” waiting for their chance to play in the big leagues, it was apparent the Preds would let good ole Wardo go. Is he worth $12M, though? Obviously that is a perfect amount to the Washington Capitals and we, although sad to see a seasoned Pred leave, are glad he will get a very nice pay raise.

Joel Ward is not the only Predator to leave us thus far:

• Steve Sullivan – Pittsburgh Penguins
• Marcel Goc – Florida Panthers
• J.P Dumont – Possible Retirement
• Shane O’Brien – Not Yet Signed Elswhere
• The UFA Seven – No Word Yet, But Very Iffy…
• Matthew Lombardi – Traded for Brett Lebda to Toronto Maple Leafs
• Cody Franson – Traded for Robert Slaney to Toronto Maple Leafs

Look how SOB is taking Dumont out! Why did we not re-sign him again?!

On the heels of Poile announcing the Predators will not be re-signing Shane O’Brien, the GM also announced J.P. Dumont’s final year with the Predators, worth an estimated $4 million. This buyout drains the Predators of $1.66 million, but is it worth it to let Dumont out into the world? According to every Preds blogger and fan, absolutely.

J.P. “Just Pass” Dumont has been falling short in the past seasons and many fans have wondered why the Predators hadn’t bought his contract out before now. It seems David Poile is serious about making room for the young kids, but let’s hope that is not why he failed to send the QOs out at the last second, sending the Predators into a limbo with 7 players, several of which are key to our team.

Where will Dumont go now that he is free of his contract? Most say straight to retirement, unlike Sullivan, who plans to continue his career elsewhere.

Good luck with where ever you go, Dumont!

The news comes as no surprise, but it still makes us sad!

Nashville Predators GM David Poile announced in a press conference at the Preds Training Camp today that Shane O’Brien would not be re-signed this coming 2o11 – ’12 season. Although we are sad about the announcement, it is clear that the Predators have way too many up-and-comers that need their shot and unfortunately, O’Brein was just in the “on the fence” area and Poile has chosen to push him off and try someone else.

From his Twitter, it seems SOB was happy with his chance in Nashville and enjoyed the fanbase and how devoted we are to the team. We will miss SOB’s bad boy attitude. It seemed to me he was one of the only guys who wasn’t afraid to tear into another player and pressure them. Hopefully some of the new guys can live up to O’Brien.

Good luck, Shane!

Will we have to say goodbye to our favorite Belarusian?

Many Preds fans are grinding their teeth tonight as the NHLPA has announced it will be filing a grievance against the Nashville Predators and GM David Poile for improperly filing offers for a few key players who now are up for become UFAs (Unrestricted Free Agents).

From the picture, you can tell Sergei Kostitsyn is one of the key players, but the list also includes:
Nick Spaling
Matt Halischuk
Cal O’Reilly
Linus Klasen
Chris Mueller
Andreas Thuresson

Now you’re thinking, “Uh oh, not good.” and yes, you are correct. David Poile definitely dropped the ball on this one and most everyone would agree SK74, if made a UFA, will be the hardest to wrangle. Although he was quoted as saying he wants to stay with the Predators, SK74 is grossly underpaid compared to his counterparts (of course, this is due in part he was kicked away from many other clubs and was consider a risk) and, due to his breakout season with the Preds, Kostitsyn will find himself looking at many high paying offers that the Predators may not be able to compete with. In a nutshell, all teams are in search of good offensive players and SK74 is a diamond in the rough.

Nick Spaling will also be a punch in the gut, along with new comer Matt Halischuk. However, not is all lost… yet. Three things can happen here:

1. Players will become Unrestricted Free Agents due to Poile missing the 5pm ET deadline on Monday and misfiling the qualifying offers. We don’t want this.
2. The Predators start naming offers (basically) trying to convince the players to sign before the verdict is announced.
3. The Predators (somehow, with sheer luck) win the case and the 7 players remain Restricted Agents.

Photo courtesy of Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have just released information on the Skate of the Union Event at Bridgestone Arena on July 13, 2011. Not all of the information has been released, but so far, equipment will be up for sale and they will unveil the new jerseys (not that we all haven’t seen them)! A party on the plaza will also be taking place. Beginning times have not been set, but mark your calendar, Preds fans!

I’ll update once they are available! …And here they are! Here is the schedule of what will be going down on Wednesday, July 13th!

10:00 AM: Pred’s Pro Shop opens and merchandise sidewalk sale
11:30 AM: Used equipment sale (Season Ticket Holders Only) Must have badge for verification
2:00 PM: Used equipment sale (General Public)
3:00 PM: Plaza party begins including beer garden, live music, a carnival ride, etc.
4:00 PM: Locker room tours and silent auction open
4:30 PM: Player autograph signing begins
6:00 PM: Skate of the Union Address & home jersey unveiling

Make sure to make it out there and get your summer hockey fix while you can!

Yesterday, July 11, this banner was seen hanging on the AT&T building downtown.

Hey, were you aware that Sully played for the Thrashers this whole time?

Welp, Preds fans, we have our first ever Oops! of the Day (I’m sure there will be plenty to come after this)! It seems our good friends over at Sports Illustrated had a brain fart this morning and, in the process of cutting and pasting an article abut Steve Sullivan being cut from the Nashville Predators from the Tennessean, managed to top off the article with the headline “Thrashers cutting Sullivan loose”. You can read the article here.

If you follow any Preds bloggers on Twitter, I’m pretty positive you came across this little factoid this morning and wondered, “What intern screwed this up?” Well, with all of the blasts from Twitter and from the comment section of the article, you would think SI.com would get the hint, fix their screw up and apologize. Well, as of right now (3:31pm CT), the article still stands as is with the headline glaring over the actual article itself.

Okay, I know not everyone knows every single player on every single team (if you do, you are an expert and I thank you) but it’s a simple thing called rereading and double checking. Oh, and let me not forget something called researching the subject. I mean, the article does say NASHVILLE PREDATORS in the post.

Whoever it was, let’s not bash the kid (we’ve all made errors with writing) and realize that not everyone can be Predators fans. It is still, however a kick to the gut for the Predators fans who have battled the knowledge that no one in hockey takes us seriously and to be confused with a club that was sent packing to Winnipeg because a lack of a fanbase makes us even more hot under the collar.

Now, what really irritates me is the fact that SI has not bothered to fix the mistake. We all know they are aware of it unless they just write articles and go, “Welp! All done! Never looking at this again!” At this point, it’s looking like that’s what is happening.

Come on, SI! Fix the mistake! It’s embarrassing to Predators fans and your credibility! Fans, if the headline is still claiming Sully is being cut from the Thrashers, please blow up the article’s comment section and tell them to fix it! Or, if you have Twitter, tell them to fix it by tweeting them at SI_NHL

We'll miss you, Sully!!

Sad news for Predators fans today as Josh Cooper of the Tennessean reported that the Predators will not be re-signing Steve Sullivan this coming season. Although most fans are not surprised by this news, it is still a heartbreaking reality. Sully has been a crowd favorite since day one, back on February 16th, 2004 when the Preds acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sully was quoted as saying that he has no hard feelings against the Preds and that he looks forward to his future endeavors. Although it is almost certain Sullivan may retire, there is a chance he may get picked up by another team. Sully was also quoted saying that he would like to continue to play, where ever that may be.

Steve Sullivan is a class act both on and off the ice and he will be sorely missed this coming season. No matter where Sully ends up this coming season, wether it be on the sidelines or wearing another jersey, whenever he comes back into Bridgestone Arena, he will definitely be welcomed back with a standing ovation.

Miikka Salomaki of Finland

With the #52 selection in the NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators have chosen Right Wing Miikka Salomaki of Karpat, Finland.  Supposedly, as stated by the Predators, Salomaki can play on all four lines in all sorts of different situations. You can check out his Prospect Card here. Updates will be added when received.