Michael Haley Suspended for barrage on Calle Jarnkrok

March 27, 2017March 27, 2017Leave a comment

Photo Source: USA TODAY Sports

The Department of Player Safety just announced that San Jose forward, Michael Haley will be suspended for one game (without pay) for his retaliation attack on Predators forward Calle Jarnkrok during Saturday’s match. Here’s some of the official word from the NHL:

The incident occurred at 12:56 of the third period. Haley was assessed a match penalty. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Haley will forfeit $3,472.22. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

While some would argue that Haley’s “cheap shot” should warrant more than just one day of suspension, Calle Jarnkrok was active is yesterday’s practice and should be in the lineup for tonight’s bout against the New York Islanders. And Jarnkrok’s hit on Haley should not be overlooked either. Watch the video below to see the entire incident:

Calle Jarnkrok is by no means a dirty player and this was certainly not intentional boarding by any measure, but it is understandable why a player with 14 fights this season would fly off the handle after such a hit. Because of his gut reaction, Haley was ejected from the game and ultimately suspended for San Jose’s game tomorrow against the New York Rangers. After seeing a few Sharks fans a little upset (on Twitter) that Jarnkrok did not get called for boarding, it is important to note that while he was getting checked for a broken nose, Kevin Fiala served his boarding penalty for him. So there goes that argument.

2017 NHL All-Star Roster Announced

January 10, 2017January 10, 2017Leave a comment

Image Source: NBC Sports

Moments ago, the NHL released the final roster of the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles January 28th-29th. Not surprisingly, Nashville has only one player on said roster: P.K. Subban, who was voted by the fans as the Central Division Captain. And, with his upper-body injury slated to be healed by the All-Star Weekend, Subban may have to relinquish his captain duties to someone else for safety’s sake.

– CENTRAL DIVISION

P.K. Subban – Nashville Predators
Corey Crawford – Chicago Blackhawks
Devan Dubnyk – Minnesota Wild
Ryan Suter – Minnesota Wild
Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks
Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis Blues
Patrik Laine – Winnipeg Jets
Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche
Tyler Seguin – Dallas Stars

– ATLANTIC DIVISION:

Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Tuukka Rask – Boston Bruins
Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay Lightning
Shea Weber – Montreal Canadiens
Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
Frans Nielsen – Detroit Red Wings
Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning
Vincent Trocheck – Florida Panthers
Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs
Kyle Okposo – Buffalo Sabres
Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins

– PACIFIC DIVISION:

Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
Martin Jones – San Jose Sharks
Mike Smith – Arizona Coyotes
Cam Fowler – Anaheim Ducks
Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks
Drew Doughty – L.A. Kings
Ryan Kesler – Anaheim Ducks
Joe Pavelski – San Jose Sharks
Jeff Carter – L.A. Kings
Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary Flames
Bo Horvat – Vancouver Canucks

– METROPOLITAN DIVISION:

Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
Braden Holtby – Washington Capitals
Sergei Bobrovsky – Columbus Blue Jackets
Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins
Wayne Simmonds – Philadelphia Flyers
John Tavares – New York Islanders
Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Ryan McDonagh – New York Rangers
Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
Taylor Hall – New Jersey Devils
Seth Jones – Columbus Blue Jackets

What do you think about the roster for this year’s All-Star Weekend? Nashville isn’t the only team with one representative, but if you want to include former Preds (Ryan Suter, Devan Dubnyk, Seth Jones, and Shea Weber), then Nashville’s actually pretty well represented.

All joking aside, the big question is will Subban be healthy enough to participate? As mentioned, his 2-3 week recovery time ends at about the time of the All-Star festivities, but should not participate if it risks re-injury (thus keeping him out of the lineup even longer). Of course, that will be something the organization and Subban discuss as time gets closer.

Weber named NHL Leadership Award Finalists

May 5, 2016Leave a comment

leadership

Yesterday afternoon, the NHL announced the finalists for the 2016 Mark Messier Leadership award, which includes John Tavares of the New York Islanders, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators.

The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award is awarded to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season. Though suggestions for nominees are solicited from fans, clubs and NHL personnel, the selection of the three finalists and the ultimate winner is made by Messier, one of the finest leaders in NHL history; the six-time Stanley Cup champion is one of three players to have captained three teams (Edmonton, N.Y. Rangers, Vancouver).

Weber is the first Predators player/personnel to be nominated for a 2016 NHL award and Roman Josi was quoted about his fellow defenseman and captain:

“He’s one of those guys that leads by example. We know we can count on him every time he steps on the ice; we know he’s going to leave it all out there. He’s just a great leader, he’s been a great mentor to me. He’s one of those guys who plays the game really honest. He’s such a great leader, and we’re happy to have him as a captain.”

NSH notches 40th Win in SO against BUF 2-1

February 22, 2015Leave a comment

Source: Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images

Well, this isn’t the road trip the Predators expected to have, now is it? After taking a loss Thursday 5-2 from the New York Islanders, then limping away with a point yesterday afternoon against the Flyers, the Predators were hoping to shake off this excruciating road trip with a win against the 17-38-4 (ouch) Buffalo Sabres before returning home on Tuesday.

SCRATCHES: Victor Bartley, Calle Jarnkrok

FIRST PERIOD:

A rather uneventful period, Nashville managed to out-shoot Buffalo eleven to three, but Michal Neuvirth was there to block the Preds.

SECOND PERIOD:

What looked like another quiet period, Buffalo’s Tyler Ennis (15) was able to sink a wrister on Carter Hutton at 19:46, giving the Sabres a late second period 1-0 lead. Zemgus Girgensons (14) and Matt Moulson (17) tallied the assists.
Nashville once again out-shot Buffalo, this time fifteen to four, but it was Ennis who found the sweet spot.

THIRD PERIOD:

Relief for the Predators came at 15:43 on the powerplay as Mike Ribeiro (12) deflected a shot to tie the game at one. Cody Franson (27) and Seth Jones (16) notch the assists.
The Predators only managed ten shots-on-goal during the third, but again, out-shot the Sabres by four.

OVERTIME:

The Predators were given a late overtime powerplay chance, but nothing could be accomplished by either team in OT, so onward to the shootout…

SHOOTOUT:

BUF – Matt Moulson – MISS
NSH – Mike Santorelli – GOAL
BUF – Tyler Ennis – GOAL
NSH – Craig Smith – MISS
BUF – Zemgus Girgensons – MISS
NSH – Matt Cullen – MISS
BUF – Brian Gionta – MISS
NSH – Filip Forsberg – GOAL

POST GAME NOTES:

The Predators are the first team in the NHL to reach 40 wins with this shootout victory and set a franchise record.
Both Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli help secure this win tonight, with Franson collecting an assist and Santorelli sinking a goal in the shootout.

Inhale slowly through the nose, exhale slowly through the mouth; the Predators walk away with the two points. Okay, but let’s discuss how outrageous Michal Neuvirth was in net tonight. Nashville was doing everything right; you can see that from the amount of shots-on-goal. Unfortunately, Neuvirth was doing everything right, too. The kid blocked 37 of the 38 SOG; that’s Pekka-esque and pretty darn good.

Take a deep breath, my friends. The Predators are back home Tuesday to take on the Colorado Avalanche, who are currently sitting at the bottom of the Central Division. Then it’s a bout with Ryan Suter and the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

Fans brave Ice & Preds Win 5-1

February 17, 2015Leave a comment

Source: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

How’s everyone doing during the #ICESTORM2015? What was supposed to be ideal, beautiful snow turned into hazardous, just-plain-evil ice across the entire state. In fact, it has been so bad, Tennessee officials declared a State of Emergency. Needless to say, the attendance for tonight’s game against the 29-21-8 San Jose Sharks wasn’t expected to be a sellout. However, the fear of being stranded somewhere along one of the deserted interstates tonight didn’t stop the Loyal Legion from turning out.

NOTEWORTHY (PRE-GAME):

As mentioned in the previous post, Anthony Bitetto was recalled last minute by Nashville to fill a void in the defense (Anton Volchenkov was placed on IR).
However, where Bitetto made the flight to Nashville, his equipment bad did not. This left Nashville with a ton more forwards than defensemen.
Nashville’s solution? During warmups, Viktor Stalberg – who just cleared waivers not even 24-hours ago – was paired on the defense with Seth Jones…
Just before puck drop, Viktor Stalberg was declared the healthy scratch and Anthony Bitetto was given the green light.
But… the team was down to just five d-men for a few minutes, as Bitetto’s bag arrived a little after game start.
Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli did not make their return tonight due to issues with their work visas. So… they don’t already have those?

SCRATCHES:

Viktor Stalberg, Cody Franson, and Mike Santorelli

FIRST PERIOD:

San Jose’s Matt Irwin (5) drew the first blood at 5:26, sending a wrister past Pekka Rinne.
Shea Weber quickly tied it up at 13:42 with his signature slapshot, his 14th goal of the season. Mike Fisher (15) picked up the assist.
Craig Smith took a chunk of Alex Stalock at 16:02, collecting his 17th goal of the season with a wrister. Mattias Ekholm (9) and Mike Ribeiro (36) tally the assists.
Preds end the first period up 2-1 on the Sharks, though San Jose out-shoots Nashville 17 to 15.

SECOND PERIOD:

Just 52 seconds into the period, Craig Smith notched his second goal of the season (18) on the powerplay. Colin Wilson (20) and Seth Jones (15) punch the assists.
Paul Gaustad wanted a piece of the pie and got his at 1:43, his second goal of the season. Gabriel Bourque (6) and Shea Weber (28) pick up the assists on Gaustad’s wrister.
James Neal would finish off the second period with his 20th goal of the season at 10:31. Mike Ribeiro (37) collects the lone assist.
San Jose out-shot Nashville 15 to 13.

THIRD PERIOD:

No goals in the third.
San Jose out-shot Nashville in each period, this time 11 to 9.

NOTEWORTHY (POST GAME):

Pekka Rinne is a beast indeed (not that you needed any convincing). You know he’s doing big things when NHL takes notice:

FYI Pekka Rinne is out of control right now.

— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2015
James Neal is the first on the roster to reach 20 goals and he now has 7-straight 20-goal seasons.
Both Shea Weber and Mike Fisher are now on three-game point streaks.
Another reminder of how great Rinne is:
Pekka stopped 42 of 43 shots-on-goal tonight. Tell me he isn’t Vezina worthy.
The Predators now hold a six-point lead over the entire NHL.

With this win, the Predators are just seven wins away from clinching a playoff spot (and it isn’t even March yet) and are now 39-12-6. Wowza. The Preds take off for a three-game road trip to the East, starting with the New York Islanders on Thursday.

2015 NHL All-Star Weekend in Review

January 25, 2015Leave a comment

Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Columbus, Ohio was the place to be this weekend has the city hosted the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend. As you know, Nashville was chosen as the host city for the 2016 ASG Weekend, which will be an event on its own. But until then, let’s recap the fun that happened this weekend in Columbus… Oh, and for the sake of keeping this post from being ninety pages long, we’ll stick to Nashville’s accomplishments:

Team Foligno:

Nick Foligno – Columbus Blue Jackets
Brian Elliot – St. Louis Blues
Marc-Andre Fleury – Pittsburgh Penguins
Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Drew Doughty – L.A. Kings
Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
Dustin Byfuglien – Winnipeg Jets
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Arizona Coyotes
Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers
Bobby Ryan – Ottawa Senators
Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Anze Kopitar – L.A. Kings
Radim Vrabata – Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Johansen – Columbus Blue Jackets
Zemgus Girgensons – Buffalo Sabres
Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers
Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks
Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
Coaching Staff: Darryl Sutter – L.A. Kings

Team Toews:

Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks
Corey Crawford – Chicago Blackhawks
Roberto Luongo – Florida Panthers
Jaroslav Halak – New York Islanders
Aaron Ekblad – Florida Panthers
Mark Giordano – Calgary Flames
Shea Weber – Nashville Predators
Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary Flames
Brent Seabrook – Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Suter – Minnesota Wild
Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators
Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks
Patrik Elias – New Jersey Devils
Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins
Rick Nash – New York Rangers
Tyler Seguin – Dallas Stars
Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis Blues
Jakub Vorachek – Philadelphia Flyers
John Tavares – New York Islanders
Coaching Staff – Peter Laviolette – Nashville Predators

As you recall, Pekka Rinne was not included in the All-Star “draft” due to sustaining a knee sprain. Because Filip Forsberg was chosen last for Team Toews, he was the lucky winner of a brand new Honda Accord. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also won a new Honda, as he was chosen last for Team Foligno.

Source: @NHL

Saturday – Skills Competition – Winner: Team Foligno

Despite a good show by Team Toews, it was Team Foligno who reigned in the Skills Competition held on Saturday evening. Both Weber and Forsberg participated in the relay and shootout, but it was Weber who shined – not surprisingly – during the Hardest Shot round.

Shea originally missed his first shot, but more than nailed his second attempt, clocking his shot at 108.5 MPH. Weber certainly won the competition, but missed notching the hardest shot ever recorded, which is held by Zdeno Chara at 108.8 MPH. Forsberg shined in the relay portion, showing off his crazy insane puck-handling skills.

Sunday – All-Star Game – Winner: Team Toews

Though the fell short in the Skills Competition, Team Toews out-powered Team Foligno by a long shot during the actual All-Star Game, winning 17-12. And, believe it or not, though the All-Star Game tends to always have a ton of goals, this was the highest scoring game in its history. Filip Forsberg’s two goals helped get Team Toews to the win, the first goals scored by a Nashville Predator in an All-Star Game. Shea Weber also notched an assist off of Tyler Seguin’s goal.

From the World Wide World of Twitter:

"He's a special player. He's really talented. He sees the ice really well & has great hands." – Johnny Gaudreau on linemate Filip Forsberg.

— Jeremy K. Gover (@goverjkg) January 26, 2015

I was just reminded that next year's NHL all-star game is in Nashville. Oh boy.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 26, 2015

The countdown to the @NHL ASG Weekend in Nashville has begun!! pic.twitter.com/2ixdFvwltW

— Beka (@bekaiswright) January 26, 2015

Shea Weber, really excited to be here. pic.twitter.com/he96cfpT34

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 25, 2015

So that’s a wrap on the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend. Next Stop: Nashville! But before then, the Predators must press forward with the remainder of this season and push into the playoffs. Pekka Rinne should also be re-evaluated soon, along with Ryan Ellis. The Predators return to the regular season this Tuesday as they welcome in the Colorado Avalanche at 7PM.

Laviolette named Head Coach of Predators

May 6, 2014May 6, 2014Leave a comment

Courtesy: Yahoo! Images

Sorry I’m late to the party — I was actually at LP Field (where the Tennessee Titans play, for those of you who are NFL-challenged) on a tour with my company when the news broke. Any who, so by now you know Nashville has hired Peter Laviolette as the new Head Coach, the second HC in Predators franchise history. Laviolette has had his name in the hat since Trotz was handed the pink slip, so it was no surprise when it was finally announced that he would be taking over the coveted position.

Laviolette agreed to a multi-year contract and is a former head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders. He ended up winning a Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Hurricanes and went to the Cup Final with the Flyers in 2010. Philadelphia then fired him early in the 2013-14 season, though Laviolette has a 389-282-25-63 overall NHL record; Trotz’s record? 557-479-60-100.

With the presence of a new HC, you know that means some of the pieces to the Trotz administration will change. Though Lane Lambert and Phil Housley are expected to stay with Nashville, goal-tending Coach Mitch Korn will more than likely go with Trotz on his future endeavors, which is a detrimental loss for Nashville.

The Predators will be having a formal presser at 2PM CT and we will add more details as they arrive.

Also joining coaching staff is Kevin McCarthy, who will serve as an assistant alongside Lane Lambert & Phil Housley. http://t.co/o1UwfeJgZf

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 6, 2014

David Poile is 2-for-2 with coaches in Nashville. Congrats to Peter Laviolette, who will raise the bar.

— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) May 6, 2014

. @PredsNHL announce hiring of Peter Laviolette as 2nd head coach in team history to multi-year contract Read more -> http://t.co/MDOhPSGMlF

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 6, 2014

So now there's a coach, let's see what GMDP can do at the draft and in free agency.

— Justin Bradford (@justinbbradford) May 6, 2014

Highlights from the press conference:

Poile says Mitch Korn hasn’t made a decision yet and they will meet in the next couple of weeks

— Kristopher Martel (@kmartel_sports) May 6, 2014

Poile says he wanted a coach that would bring a different style of play. Laviolette is more up tempo and offensive. #Preds

— Predlines.com (@PredlinesNSH) May 6, 2014

Poile says that subliminally at least, Laviolette was always the front runner for the coaching job. #Preds

— Predlines.com (@PredlinesNSH) May 6, 2014

Poile indicated Laviolette believes more in going forwards rather than backwards in regards to his offensive system

— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) May 6, 2014

Poile said Laviolette gets credit for developing forwards like E. Staal and Giroux

— JoshuaCooper (@JoshuaCooper) May 6, 2014

2014 Winter Olympics Team USA Roster

January 1, 2014January 1, 2014Leave a comment

Ryan Suter – 2010 Winter Olympics – Getty Images

The official roster for Team USA was announced this afternoon following the 2014 Winter Classic, in which the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a SO 3 to 2. 105,491 was the official attendance in today’s Winter Classic, by the way… and the average temperature was 13°, with a wind chill of -1°

Any who – back to Team USA – So, who got the call to represent the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia? Here’s the list:

David Backes – St. Louis Blues
Dustin Brown – Los Angeles Kings
Ryan Callahan – New York Rangers
John Carlson – Washington Capitals
Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
Cam Fowler – Anaheim Ducks
Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks
Ryan Kesler – Vancouver Canucks
Paul Martin – Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan McDonagh – New York Rangers
Ryan Miller – Buffalo Sabres
James van Riemsdyk – Toronto Maple Leafs
Brooks Orpik – Pittsburgh Penguins
TJ Oshie – St. Louis Blues
Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens
Zach Parise – Minnesota Wild
Joe Pavelski – San Jose Sharks
Jonathan Quick – Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
Paul Stastny – Colorado Avalanche
Derek Stepan – New York Ranger
Ryan Suter – Minnesota Wild
Blake Wheeler – Winnipeg Jets
Jimmy Howard – Detroit Red Wings
Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs

As you may have heard (especially if you’re a Predators fan), the Nashville Predators General Manager, David Poile, was named the Team USA GM over the summer. So, are you surprised no Predators made the roster? Seth Jones & Craig Smith were the only players that popped up on the radar and were expected to make the list, but as we now know, neither one apparently quite made the cut. Since Jones is still a young NHL-er, his roster-miss is not as surprising as Craig Smith’s, especially after his outstanding performance in the IIHF World Championships this past Spring.

Notable other players absent from the roster list include Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan, Phoenix’s Keith Yandle, Columbus’ Jack Johnson, and Islanders’ Kyle Okposo among many others that you could make a solid argument for.

So, there you have it. Will you put your differences aside and cheer for the likes of Ryan Kesler, Ryan Suter, and Patrick Kane to push Team USA to gold? We will… but just for this time.

Preds Finally Score; Fall to Islanders 3-1

November 15, 2013Leave a comment

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Positive news! Nashville earned their first goal since defeating the Colorado Avalanche two games ago!
Negative news! The Predators lost to the New York Islanders for the first time (in regulation) since April of 2002!

So they lost, but they got a goal in there and didn’t receive their third goose egg in three consecutive games; I’ll take that. It’s not fun to watch your team struggle, especially when they are actually worth a damn… when they want to believe in themselves. I won’t go into the usual list-like rundown, but just the major highlights from Tuesday night’s game:

Marek Mazanec was given the green light as the starting goalie, his first in the NHL. Though Nashville lost 3-1, Mazanec blocked 24 of 26 shots on goal from the Islanders. For his first shot as a starter, Mazanec shook the nerves and proved his potential.
Both teams took the same number of shots on goal at the end with thirty-three. Unfortunately, New York was just a little luckier than Nashville.
David Legwand enjoys elbowing people, as he was called for two penalties within three minutes of each other in the 2nd Period.
Rich Clune did his usual enforcer act, picking up a major shared with duking partner Matt Martin.
Patric Hornqvist notched his fifth goal of the season and the only one of the night at 14:30 in the 3rd Period. After his elbowing fix, David Legwand picked up his 11th assist & Shea Weber collected his fourth overall.

So, after 6 games on this 17-day road trip, Nashville now sits at 2-4-0 with Pittsburgh the last stop before welcoming the Blackhawks to town on Saturday. Back-to-back games tend to hurt even the strongest of teams, so here’s a tried & true test for the Predators.