Tag: Predators

Predators notch first Win, Beat Wild 3-2

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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.

Number Changes for 2013-14

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Eric Nystrom will carry No. 24 from the Stars.

 

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?

Rich Clune asks for Your Help

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Rich Clune is an outgoing, one-of-a-kind character who makes his presence known on and off the ice. But behind that charismatic smile and sarcastic (and somewhat dark) sense of humor, the 26-year-old left winger from Toronto has seen his share of downfalls and heartbreaks. Drug and alcohol addiction is a nasty battle to overcome, but despite these tribulations, Rich Clune fought back against his demons and has continued on the winning side of said battle. The Predators and its fans are no stranger to welcoming players who have battled addictions; Jordin Tootoo and Brian McGrattan were very open with their hardships and were not afraid to ask for help when needed. Rich Clune is no exception.

And with that, Preds fans, we ask you to help Rich Clune and a program that is near and dear to his heart. With the help of Renascent and his mother Anne Marie, Rich was able to overcome his demons and be able to continue his professional career as the hockey player and goon we have all come to know and love.

Both Rich and his mother are nearing their goal of raising $10,000 for the cause and they need your help!
Please visit here to make a donation. Any amount helps for this great cause.

Matt Halischuk signs with Jets

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No more happy Halischuk in Nashville…

While we were writing the Jonathon Blum post, we completely missed the announcement of now former Nashville Predator, Matt Halischuk signing with the Winnipeg Jets.

Like we mentioned in the Blum post, Halischuk is a diamond in the rough; he has potential, but he had a difficult time finding his niche while with the Preds. The Right Winger signed a one-year, two-way deal with Winnipeg this afternoon, which will pay him $650,000 on the NHL level and $250,000 on the AHL level.

But don’t be sad, Hally-faithfuls. With the new realignment, Halischuk won’t be going very far and you’ll see him more often than not as Winnipeg is sitting pretty in Conference B.

We wish you well, Halischuk!

Jonathon Blum to Minnesota?

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Bye, bye Blummer?

Is Jonathon Blum headed North? Well, those are the rumors swirling this afternoon as the young defenseman who has been with Nashville his entire career begins seeking ice time elsewhere.

Blum has been iffy for Nashville, bouncing between the Predators and the Admirals in Milwaukee since being drafted by Nashville in the 2007 NHL Draft. There’s no surprise as to why Nashville did not extend an offer to Blum; he struggled while younger, thirstier players took charge, tossing Blum in the funk he eventually settled in. With only one goal and six assists in the 2012-13 season, Blum’s future amongst the rising defensemen in Nashville looked bleak.

But don’t count him out just yet. Although he has struggled with the Preds, Blum isn’t a terrible, get-out-of-the-NHL defenseman. Similiar to Halischuk, Jonathon Blum is a diamond in the rough that, unfortunately, just couldn’t quite shine here in the Music City.

The rumors state Blum is expected to sign a contract with the Minnesota Wild as early as tomorrow, but other teams, including the Flyers, have shown interest in him, as well. No matter who Blum chooses to sign with eventually, that said team will get a bargain and a potential goal-scorer. We suspect Blum will do well elsewhere, we are just disappointed it wasn’t here in Nashville.

We will let you know as soon as we hear word as to where Jonathon Blum eventually signs.

UPDATE:
As we expected, Jonathon Blum signed a one-year, two-way contract this morning with the Minnesota Wild. Like Halischuk, you will still get your Blummer fix. The Wild are in the same conference as the Nashville Predators.

Good luck, Blum!

Preds release Pre-Season Schedule

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Ready for some pre-season action?

It’s here, it’s here, it’s here! Okay, so it isn’t the regular season schedule, but it’s just as good when it’s July and hockey is still two months away. Here is the schedule:

September 16, 2013 – at Florida Panthers – 1:30PM
September 16, 2013 – at Florida Panthers – 6PM
September 19, 2013 – at Tampa Bay Lightning – 6:30PM
September 22, 2013 – Home against New York Islanders – 5PM
September 24, 2013 – Home against Tampa Bay Lightning – 7PM
September 25, 2013 – at Washington Capitals – 6PM
September 27, 2013 – at New York Islanders – 6PM

So, although it truly starts the 16th, Preds fans will have to wait until Sunday the 22nd before they can settle in the cushioned seats at the Bridgestone Arena.

Have you already have your calendars marked for the 22nd and 24th? We might have…

Nick Spaling files for Salary Arbitration

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Image Source: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Per his agent and the NHLPA’s website, Nick Spaling has filed for salary arbitration.
What does this mean?
NHL salary arbitration is a tool available to settle contract disputes. The player & team each propose a salary for the coming season, and argue their cases at a hearing if there is a dispute. The arbitrator, a neutral third party, then sets the player’s salary. A decision must be made within 48 hours of the hearing and when the decision is announced, the team has the right to decline, or “walk away” from the award. If the team exercises this right, the player can declare himself an unrestricted free agent.
Hearings will be held from July 22 to August 6th.

Uh oh. Apparently, Nick Spaling was not happy with his proposed salary. Will this be the last of Nick Spaling with the Preds?

Seth Jones signs first Pro Contract

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Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Well, he fell to fourth in the draft, so did you honestly think Nashville would not sign the 18-year-old star defenseman? Of course not! At 12pm on the dot today, Seth Jones and the Preds sat down to confirm his commitment in writing with a three-year, entry-level contract. The base salary of the contract is $925,000, with maximum rookie contract signing bonuses giving him a salary cap number of $3.225 million. We assume that Jay-Z (his agent) approved of this, though there was no word of his attendance this afternoon.

Jones will be donning the No. 3, which has displaced a few Wade Belak fans. Though he was close to many hearts in Nashville and the NHL abroad, Belak had retired before he passed and Nashville did not retire his number nor have the discussion with the public as to whether it should be. Minnesota’s newest signee from Pittsburgh, Matt Cooke, actually contacted Derek Boogaard’s parents in regards to wearing the late enforcer’s number 24 who died just two months before Belak. Are we saying Jones should contact Belak’s late wife and ask permission to wear a number he’s always worn and just so happens to be associated with a lost enforcer? No, not at all. It is not his duty to do so and we are betting Jones’ has no idea that he’s stepping into a number held by greatness.

Again, no surprise that Nashville was quick to have Jones commit to the organization and put him in a jersey. Per some, the look on David Poile’s face was sheer joy as Jones signed his contract. We can’t blame him. Jones will be huge.

Preds sign Hendricks, Hutton & Nystrom

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The Preds are signing faster than I can post!In addition to nabbing Stalberg and Cullen, Nashville has also added goalie Carter Hutton,  center Matt Hendricks and Left Winger Eric Nystrom to their list of new names.

Goalie Carter Hutton has been spending his days on the AHL level with the Rockford IceHogs, but was called up for one game during the playoffs with the Blackhawks. Will he be the immediate backup for Peks? We aren’t 100% sure but Poile was able to sign him to a one-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 on the NHL level, $100,000 on the AHL level.

Matt Hendricks, on the other hand, is familiar with the Nashville Predators organization. Drafted 131st overall in the 4th Round of the 2000 NHL Draft, it was Nashville that claimed the youngin’. Unfortunately, after taking a stab at college, Hendricks turned down a contract offered from Nashville and bounced around from team to team until finally settling with the Washington Capitals. He finally returned to the Preds for a contract worth four years, $1.85 million.

Last signee of the day is Left Winger Eric Nystrom of the Dallas Stars. The Predators were able to acquire the veteran for a four-year, $2.5 million contract.

Nashville is racking up with Forwards, but are they finished for today? We don’t think so. So much for us being productive on this rainy day at work…

Preds sign Stalberg & Cullen

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Looks like Predators have broken the ice on this first day of Free Agency. While other teams attacked with full force, Nashville sat back for a moment before taking the leap for Right Winger Viktor Stalberg from the Chicago Blackhawks. Just fresh off his recent Stanley Cup win, maybe the momentum will still be there when he suits for the Preds? We are hoping so because David Poile just signed the Swede to a 4-year, $12 million contract.

Just announced deal is Matt Cullen (no relation to Edward – I so funny, eh?), a 36-year-old Center from the Wild for two years, $7 million. He’s a bit under the radar, but what we do know is that this guy outscored everyone of Nashville’s current forwards… Yea…

We’ll keep you updated as the players get signed… or not signed.