Category: Uncategorized

Ryan Ellis Re-Signs with Predators

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Flickr.com

Flickr.com

Late yesterday afternoon, word was released that the Predators and Ryan Ellis had finalized a contract to stay with the team. Both sides settled on a five-year, $12.5M contract, with it being broken down as:
First Year – $1.5M
Second Year – $2M
Third Year – $2.5M
Fourth Year: $3M
Fifth Year: $3.5M

Back on the 20th, David Poile had stated that “we want Ryan Ellis. We’re not trading him. He fits here. We just disagree on dollars. It’s that simple” and it looks like – now that the dust has settled – that is what it truly came down to. Honestly, dollars walk hand-in-hand with business so don’t get irked if you think Ellis would’ve walked without coming out with $12.5M. Chances are, he probably would have if someone had offered him more money elsewhere. I know we’ve all tried blocking the “Weber Watch” of 2011 out of our minds, but both these situations are along the same lines. Hockey is a business and luckily, we dealt the right hand for Shea Weber three years ago and now Ryan Ellis yesterday.

Ryan Ellis is expected to join up with the team today at some point to get-to-gettin’ in some practice time with his fellow teammates through the rest of training camp.

Roster – Preseason vs. Lightning

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c3c4736eda313461a153118a09e33706Earlier this afternoon, the Predators released who will be hitting the ice tomorrow night for the first preseason game on home ice.

DEFENSE:

PicMonkey Collage

On Defense: Roman Josi, Shea Weber, Johan Alm, Joe Piskula, Mattias Ekholm, and Anton Volchenkov.

FORWARDS:
PicMonkey CollageqList of Forwards: Eric Nystrom, Austin Watson, Calle Jarnkrok, Filip Forsberg, Gabriel Bourque, Kevin Fiala, Paul Gaustad, Olli Jokinen, James Neal, Taylor Beck, Vanilla Ice Mike Ribeiro, and Rich Clune.

GOALTENDERS:
PicMonkey Collage2Goalies: Pekka Rinne and Marek Mazanec.

Noticeable players taking the night off are:
– Colin Wilson, who collected an assist on Filip Forsberg’s wrister.
– Derek Roy, who assisted in Craig Smith’s goal.
– Craig Smith, who picked up a goal in yesterday’s game in Tampa Bay.

Injury Updates: Stalberg, Diaby, Cullen, Leipsic

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PicMonkey Collage

Just moments ago, the Predators released information on the statuses of four players: Viktor Stalberg, Matt Cullen, Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, and Bredan Leipsic.

Per their report, Stalberg is looking at 2-4 weeks of recovery time due to a lower-body injury we mentioned in a previous post (possibly his right leg). Matt Cullen and Jonathan-Ismael Diaby are in day-by-day conditions with upper-body injuries. As for young Leipsic, he is currently undergoing the proper protocol for a possible concussion.

Though all of these injuries are a bummer, it is Stalberg’s injury that may boost a young gun into a roster spot with the team. Once healed, it’ll be likely that the young one will lose his spot to the veteran, but this is a chance these kids aren’t going to pass up… if they want consideration for a roster spot in the future. Don’t be surprised to see the competition ramped up dramatically throughout the rest of training camp amongst the younger kiddos.

Why are You Panicking? It’s Preseason.

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Okay yes, the Predators lost their first preseason game last night to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2… but what’s with all the panicking? Who’s panicking, you ask? Let’s take to the Nashville Predators Facebook page for inspiration (courtesy of @PredsFacebook on Twitter):

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Okay so most of us have not tried jumping ship like the above samples, but those were just the tip of the iceberg (there are a ton more that’ll make you smack your mama). Look, if you are already having mild heart palpitations and feel a panic attack coming on, you must not have been a Preds fan for far too long. Take in a deep breath and repeat after me: It is preseason. Yes, it feels wonderful to win – preseason or not, there’s nothing like it – but this is the time when teams get a feel for the ice and who pairs well with who. Coach Laviolette is not going to send them out in a blazing glory, though they should go out there with the intent to win. Overall, if you listened to the game at all, I’d say that is exactly what they did. Had they not, we would be reflecting on a 4-0 loss rather than a 4-2, where Nashville lead for a while.

Yes, it is good to win in preseason, but it’s not the end of the world. Yes, it does somewhere reflect on how the team is doing, but this is the period of time when they work out those differences, those problems before October 9th.

So again, if you are already writing Nashville off after the first preseason game, by all means, get off this train. For all of you who have not lost your mind and are quite sensible, I expect to see you tomorrow at the Bridgestone Arena, say around 7PM.

Schedule: Preds Training Camp

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Hola! Long time, no read! Eh, I’ll be back to posting a ton more once the season starts, so please bear with me. Now that Rookie Camp is over and done, it’s time for the big boys to return to town and get ready for the all important official start to they 2014-15 NHL season! Training camp began this morning at Centennial Sportsplex, but was not open to the public. Tomorrow, on the other hand, and the following days will be open to the public for your viewing pleasure (and beneficial for optimal lunch hour hockey time). Here is the on-ice schedule to follow in order to get your maximum hockey allowance before pre-season begins *gasp* next Tuesday.

Friday, September 19th:
– 8:45AM – 10AM
– 10:45AM – 12PM
– 12:45PM – 2PM

Saturday, September 20th:
– 8:45AM – 10AM
– 10:45AM – 12PM
– 12:45PM – 2PM

Sunday, September 21st:
– 10:30AM – 11:30AM
– Scrimmage @ 12PM
Monday, September 22nd:
– 9:45AM – 11:15AM
– 11:45AM – 1:15PM

Tuesday, September 23rd:
– 11AM – 12:15PM
6:30PM – @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Wednesday, September 24th:
– 10:45AM – 12:15PM
– 12:45PM – 2:15PM

Friday, September 26th:
– 9:45AM – 11:15AM
– 11:45AM – 1:15PM

Tuesday, September 30th – Friday, October 3rd:
– 11AM

Team White:

  • Defense – Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Joe Piskula, Jaynen Rissling, Anthony Bietto, Jimmy Oligny
  • Goalies – Magnus Hellberg, Rob Madore
  • Forwards – Olli Jokinen, Filip Forsberg, Calle Jarnkrok, Paul Gaustad, Viktor Stalberg, Brendan Leipsic, Viktor Arvidsson, Joe Pendenza, Justin Kirkland, Mikka Salomaki, Zach Budish, Jon Puskar

Team Silver:

  • Defense – Anton Volchenkov, Taylor Aronson, Victor Bartley, Mike Little, Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, Aaron Irving
  • Goalies – Pekka Rinne, Devin Williams
  • Forwards – Tristan Grant, Eric Nystrom, James Neal, Pontus Aberg, Gabriel Bourque, Tommy Veilleux, Mike Ribeiro, Felix Girard, Matthew Campagna, Colton Sissons

Team Blue:

  • Defense – Mattias Ekholm, Seth Jones, Johan Alm, Garrett Noonan, Brian Lee, Mikko Vainonen
  • Goalies – Carter Hutton, Marek Mazanec
  • Forwards – Craig Smith, Matt Cullen, Rich Clune, Derek Roy, Mark Van Guilder, Colin Wilson, Frederick Gaudreau, Josh Shalla, Austin Watson, Michael Liambas, Kevin Fiala

If you’ve never attended a training camp before and you don’t see your favorite player on the ice in the allotted time slot your chose to show up at, don’t panic; unless it’s Ryan Ellis (that deal is still floating in the atmosphere somewhere). No, there’s no need to panic. There will be different players in each time-slot, so you may see James Neal at 10:45AM – 12:15PM, but not at the 12:45PM – 2:15PM slot. Another thing to remember if you’ve never been is to arrive early. Centennial Sportsplex is bigger than the Ford Ice Center, but it’s no Bridgestone Arena. If you have little ones that want to be up against the glass (or you yourself), pack a brunch and get your booty to West End.

Ford Ice Center Grand Opening Schedule

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Courtesy: Preds.NHL.com

Courtesy: Predators.NHL.com

By now, you’ve probably heard of the new Ford Ice Center that is under construction in Antioch that will serve as a multi-purpose ice rink and venue for all things hockey in Middle Tennessee. Though most were a little apprehensive of its location choice at first, as you can see from the photo above (thank you Predators.NHL.com), they did a remarkable job on the building and, with new-to-Nashville-Tennessee location of Perani’s Hockey World, the defunct city of Antioch may find its rebirth. The south end of Davidson County has been in need of some serious loving for a while now, and the Nashville Predators took advantage of that mistreatment quickly.

Now, I said in the above paragraph that it is under construction, but in reality, it’s pretty much finished and ready to go (give or a take few glitches here or there). Ice Skating great Scott Hamilton is already teaching classes and youth and adult leagues are already beginning to form to hit the ice. However, the Predators are gearing up for a Grand Opening Weekend with you – the fans – in mind. Here’s the rundown:

Friday, September 12, 4:30-8 p.m.
• Ribbon cutting ceremony
• Open Skate – Free to the public
• Party in the Park
• Fireworks

Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Party in the Park
• Rookie Game featuring Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins
• Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Annual Nashville Predators Skate of the Union Address
• Autograph signing with select Nashville Predators rookies and prospects

Sunday, September 14, 4-8:30 p.m.
• Rookie Game featuring Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins
• Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs. Florida Panthers

Tuesday, September 16, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Rookie Game featuring Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
• Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs. Boston Bruins

Rookie games, autograph sessions, the annual Skate of the Union Address… What more could you want before the start of the 2014-15 NHL season? Don’t forget to follow both the Ford Ice Center and Perani’s Hockey World on Twitter for the latest, up-to-date information on hockey happenings in South Nashville.

Simon Moser joins SC Bern

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fdfdIn case you start digging through the Preds and Admirals roster and cannot find him, Simon Moser will be starting the season with Schlittschuh Club Bern, better known as SC Bern. This may be news to some, but Moser has a valid contract with SC Bern until 2015. However, said contract includes a NHL out-clause until November 15th, which means if he is given an offer from a NHL team before that date, he can leave the club without retribution. If he does not accept an offer from the NHL by November 15th, the 25-year-old Swiss will finish out the 2014-15 season with SC Bern. Now, you may be asking, “Why hasn’t Nashville presented him anything?” Well, they have. Nashville pitched Moser a qualifying offer for the League minimum at the beginning of July, but turned it down because of a low AHL salary.

So, unless Nashville comes back with a better offer (which, IMO, they won’t), Moser may be smitten by a deal from another NHL team, or could be sticking around Switzerland permanently.

Preds Sign Roy & Ribeiro to 1YR Deals

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PicMonkey Collage

Who knew Nashville was in need of a few Centers? Late this morning, word came trickling through the social media world that David Poile had signed two Centers to the Nashville Predators roster. Those two? Former Phoenix Arizona Coyote, Mike Ribeiro (1-year, $1.05M) and former St. Louis Blue, Derek Roy (1-year, $1M). Both veterans of their trade, Ribeiro was drafted 45th overall in the 1998 Draft by the Montreal Canadiens and Roy drafted 32nd overall in the 2001 Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. They have both put up some outstanding numbers during their tenure, but – as more athletes do – have started to decline as they’ve aged. But let’s not forget Nashville just got away with a steal of a deal. Ribeiro, Roy and Jokinen each for 1 year for a total of $4.55M? Poile, you crazy GM, you! As I type, GM David Poile is hosting a presser to address the two new signees, with Ribeiro at his side. Here are some snippets from the press conference:

What? A player actually sought out Nashville on his own accord? Take that, Spezza. So, how many Centers does Nashville have now? Let’s see: Wilson, Ribeiro, Roy, Jokinen, Cullen, Gaustad, Smith, Jarnkrok, and Fisher (though he’s down for the count). That means someone will have to “fight for their job” as Poile has stated.

Interesting information coming out of the Preds organization this afternoon! We will add more as the presser continues and as more information becomes available.

Preds Sign Volchenkov; Fisher Out 4-6 Months

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PicMonkey Collage

After a relatively quiet 4th of July weekend, the Predators have been awfully active for a Monday afternoon. An hour or so ago, the Predators announced the signing of veteran defenseman, Anton Volchenkov for a one-year, $1 million contract. Volchenkov, a native of Russia, was offered a KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg if no team from the NHL showed interest, but Nashville snatched him up for a good price — his former contract with the New Jersey Devils was a 6-year, $25.5 million. The left-handed Volchenkov will probably land on the second line and pair with right-hander Seth Jones for now.

On to more pressing news is the loss of Mike Fisher, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon thus placing him on the IR for at least 4-6 months… ouch. Fisher, who has been weighing his career options, may find this is the turning point to retire early, but we shall see. Fisher had his surgery to repair the torn tendon last Thursday, July 3rd. As you may imagine, now that this news is out, rumors of Nashville taking a stab at veteran, Vincent Lecavalier are becoming more and more heated. Personally, I don’t think it’ll happen, but with David Poile at the helm, anything is possible.

We will continue to update as more information on both players becomes available.

Preds sign Olli Jokinen to One-Year Contract

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The Internet’s most gifed (sp?) hockey player (IMO) has landed in the arms of the Nashville Predators. David Poile dipped his feet into the Free Agency Waters this afternoon, after missing out on the likes of Paul Stastny, who ended up going back home to St. Louis during yesterday’s debacle. Jokinen, who scored 18 goals & posted 43 points last season with the Winnipeg Jets, isn’t the first free agent that came to mind yesterday when free agency finally took effect; but don’t count him out as a David Poile dud. Jokinen, though 35, has a lot of spunk behind him and is still going strong, despite his numbers dropping (but hey, that’s what happens when you get older). And, if things don’t end up working out, DP got the waffle-loving center for only $2.5M and a one-year contract. Don’t shut down the computers yet, Preds fans; we have a feeling DP is still testing the water before the day’s over. Until the next move, here’s the infamous waffle gif of your newest Nashville Predator:
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