How would the Nashville Predators fare in the Olympics?

I'll admit right up-front that I am an absolute sucker for the Olympics. I can get cynical about college or professional sports at times, and I know some of you groan every time I bring the cold light of statistical analysis to the game of hockey, but when it come to the Olympics, it's a fortnight of pure sports-viewing statisfaction. I love the ceremony, the competition, the diversity of the athletes, the whole bit. I just wish I could take time off work to watch it full-time.

In a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien, I'll offer up my own suggestion for a slogan for these London Games:

Five Rings to rule them all, Five Rings to find them,

Five Rings to bring them all and in competition bind them

In the City of London where the medals lie.

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So here's a topic for conversation, Preds fans - how might various members of the Nashville Predators, or other NHL stars fare in various Olympics events?

For example:

• Craig Smith, High-jumping (he certainly knows how to put the puck over the bar, even when the net is empty)
• Martin Erat, Hammer throw (have you seen the guy spin?)
• David Legwand, Handball (remember the playoffs?)

Make your suggestions in the comments below! And no, you don't get any points for Diving jokes, that's just too easy...

Nashville Predators announce Used Equipment sale, Open house, and single-game ticket sales information

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 4th, as the Nashville Predators will hold their annual used equipment sale, along with an Open House, a public skate on the Bridgestone Arena ice, and the launch of single-game ticket sales for the 2012-2013 season. The "Skate of the Union" town hall meeting will take place later on, but hey, this means you'll have two chances to get out of the heat and into the rink during the month of August.

An excerpt from the team's press release follows after the jump...

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Nashville Predators fans can purchase select individual game tickets and premium seating inventory for the 2012-13 regular season starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Bridgestone Arena box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com,nashvillepredators.com and (615) 770-7800.

Last season, the Predators sold out 25 regular-season contests and averaged 16,690 fans a game and the on-sale event will be the very first opportunity for non-season ticketholders to take part in another exciting season of Nashville Predators hockey.

The Predators will also host an Open House on Aug, 4 that includes the team's popular used equipment sale (11 a.m. for Season Ticket Holders, 12 p.m. for the general public), an open skate on Bridgestone Arena ice (2-4 p.m., must bring own skates), a pro shop sidewalk sale (all day) and locker room tours throughout the day. Fans should arrive between 10-11 a.m. to enter to win a pair of 2012-13 season tickets.

"Our annual Skate of the Union event has grown so much over the years that we have decided to make the festivities even grander by breaking them up into two separate events," Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. "Next Saturday's on-sale event will feature an Open House that includes several popular fan experiences such as a used equipment sale, locker room tours and an open skate. The festivities will culminate later in August with a Town Hall Meeting featuring Shea Weber, David Poile, Barry Trotz, Tom Cigarran and Jeff Cogen."

The Predators are also kicking off Tax Free Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. through Sunday, Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. Fans may purchase Nashville Predators ticket plans, select single game tickets, premium seating inventory and tickets to select Bridgestone Arena events at a 9.25 percent discount. Tickets may be purchased by calling 615-770-7800 or through nashvillepredators.com.

Season ticketholders will continue to receive the biggest savings, reserved seating and most comprehensive benefits of all fans, as this week the Preds are holding an exclusive pre-sale where season ticket holders can purchase additional game tickets prior to the public sale. Season Ticket Holders are also the only fans who have access to every home game this season; select games will not be available for individual sale and may only be acquired through the purchase of a ticket package.

Rounding out the blue: Friday's notes

With the Shea Weber drama out of the way, there remains just one major Restricted Free Agent left for the Nashville Predators to re-sign, that being defenseman Jonathon Blum. Our morning hockey notes begin with two stories examining the situation on the blueline, and which approach the Preds should take ahead of the new season. Should they stick with the three veterans of Weber, Kevin Klein and Hal Gill, supported by younger players still learning their way, or do they need to bring in one more experienced hand, especially to man the top pair alongside the Captain?

That's a question which may linger over the team for a few more weeks...

He'll be a Pred for 14 years, so put a giant Shea Weber Fathead on your wall! Save 15% or more w/promo code SAVE35!

Nashville Predators News

Why Carlo Colaiacovo would make sense for Nashville… | Section 303
I'm down with this, as long as they're comfortable with his health and durability.

Predators may be eyeing trade to bolster blue line - Nashville Predators Examiner
A bit of a misleading headline here, Jim!

Predators to unveil new plan for single-game ticket sales Friday | Nashville City Paper
After making only the first half of the schedule available early on last year, the Preds trying something different this time, along with incentives to attend the Skate of the Union early next month.

Predators made Shea Weber deal 'to protect the fan base' | The Daily News Journal
Speaking of the business side, this deal does carry some risk, but it's a risk the team had to take to keep the momentum rolling.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Phoenix Coyotes sale to Greg Jamison may be on thin ice - Phoenix Business Journal
What the heck's going on out there? Today marks a critical deadline for moving the deal forward.

Clockgate: NHL says Los Angeles malfunction was human error, not ‘science’ | Puck Daddy
Oh, sure, you expect us to believe those coulombs were blameless? I've heard that they're awful quarky.

Rob Brown discusses Down Goes Brown and his fight with Sylvain Lefebvre | Backhand Shelf
Get the story behind where that blog name comes from (great video here).

Proposing a Luxury Tax for the Next Collective Bargaining Agreement | Overtime
When the players finally get around to making a proposal, might the salary cap go out the window?

NHL and NHLPA discuss pensions, ice conditions and training camp - The Globe and Mail
While we focus on the headline items, the CBA can delve into all sorts of areas.

Canes Now - Rutherford: Semin a 'good fit' for Canes | newsobserver.com blogs
Carolina should be a pretty fun team to watch, with Semin, the Staal brothers, and Jeff Skinner leading the attack.

Kings to hire Payne as assistant " LA Kings Insider
The former Blues head coach becomes an assistant King (does that make him a Prince?).

Bruins’ Tim Thomas stands with Chick-fil-A amidst anti-gay controversy | Puck Daddy
Thomas continues to burn bridges.

2012 Free Agency: New York Rangers Bring Back Anton Stralman On Two-Year Deal - Blueshirt Banter
New York gets one of their RFA's signed.

Jakub Voracek signs 4-year, $17 million contract with Flyers - Broad Street Hockey
Well, somebody's gotta get some of that Shea Weber money.

Sabres Organization Overloaded With Left-Handed Defensemen - Die By The Blade
Aye, they're a sinister bunch.

Edmonton Oilers All-Time Roster | The Hockey Writers
It's Back to the 80's!

Ryan Getzlaf suspended for kneeing incident; Jannik Hansen also gets 1-game IIHF ban | Puck Daddy
Oh, those dirty Ducks.

Kontinental Hockey League - Official Website - Transfer tales - Putin concerned
Putin be disputin' some of the big contracts being handed out in the KHL, including Alexander Radulov's.

During the Islanders’ dynasty, the men weren’t the only people collecting jewelry | Backhand Shelf
Some amazing hockey bling handed out over the years.

Hockey Movie Character MVP Bracket: Picking the Top Seeds - Hockey Wilderness
Exercise your right, and vote!

Disappointment looms in Denver - The Hockey News
No, these aren't exactly the days when guys like Kariya & Selanne would play there on the cheap.

4 reasons why the Nashville Predators can afford Shea Weber's contract

Our latest OTF video covers some ground which I'm sure you guys are all aware of, but feel free to share this with those critics in more traditional hockey cities who can't get over the notion of a small-market NHL team paying max money to one player over the next few seasons...

Make sure to subscribe to the OTF and SB Nation YouTube channels!

Since it's hard to include all the specific details in video form, here are some supplemental details:

1. Youth - while Weber will make $14 million in the 2012-2013 season, a total of 11 other roster players will make just a hair more than that, including many who play major roles such as Patric Hornqvist, Sergei Kostitsyn, Colin Wilson, and Roman Josi. (source: NHL Numbers)
2. Cheaper veterans - Martin Erat, David Legwand, and Mike Fisher will make a combined $2 million less next season than last.
3. The business success of the team has been best displayed through a rise in paid attendance and media ratings.
4. Nashville be boomin', yo.

And by the way, just how awesome is Centennial Park?

New On The Forecheck Podcast: Season 2, Episode 3

Yesterday was fun, wasn't it? Well, the fun doesn't have to end this morning, as Sam and I bring you another edition of the On The Forecheck podcast.

In today's edition, we have no shortage of subjects to talk about as we hit the Shea Weber offer sheet matching from just about every angle. What was the thought process like as the events of the past six days dragged on? Was this the right move? Where do the Predators go from here on defense? At forward?

Follow after the jump for all that and more:

Your browser does not support the audio element. Click here to download the mp3. Click here to access via iTunes. Follow @OTFMarc
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Nashville Predators re-sign Colin Wilson to three-year deal

After his agent hinted there could be some news today, the Predators have officially announced they've re-signed Colin Wilson to a three-year, $6 million deal.

---

Colin Wilson

#33 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 214

Born: Oct 20, 1989

---

---

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Colin Wilson	68	15	20	35	5	21	5	0	5		114

---

The deal is structured so that Wilson will make $1.5 million this year, $2 million next year and $2.5 million in the final year - surprisingly reasonable at a time when we've seen so many ridiculous contracts given out.

Wilson appeared in 68 games in 2011-12, tallying 15 goals and 20 assists. He scored one point in four playoff games.

Poll

What do you think of Colin Wilson's contract?

• Not enough
• Just right
• Has Shea signed yet?

  492 votes | Results

The Captain Stays - now how do the Preds manage roster & budget?

The Nashville Predators have stood their ground.

By matching the Philadelphia Flyers' 14-year, $110 million offer sheet, the Preds have answered a stern challenge from one of the league's wealthiest and most aggressive clubs, and retained their captain.

Now, we all know that team chairman Tom Cigarran is a consummate gentleman, who prefers to exude a cool, professional demeanor before the press. So I took the liberty of running his statement announcing the match through a translator:

"Yo, Snider - I got your offer sheet right here, pal. Match this!"

So yes, this drama came to a happy conclusion for Predators fans who were worried about Nashville becoming simply a development system for big-market teams who would scoop up their best players just as they hit stardom.

Still, there are going to be some major challenges ahead as the Preds seek to build a contender around two players (Weber & Rinne) who will command $21 million in salary and bonuses for each of the next four seasons. How can they manage to do that? Let's take a look...

The basic answer is that the Predators will need relatively cheap (in other words, homegrown) talent to complement its two stars. Fortunately, few if any NHL teams do a better job of building such players as the Preds, and Nashville does have a number of youngsters already contributing at the big-league level, along with prospects who are on that path for the years ahead.

The following table, driven by data from NHLNumbers.com (all figures in million US$), lays out the salary situation for the next three seasons. Fields in italics represent rough estimates either for particular players or replacements in similar roles. It also reflects a 22-man Active Roster, one below the limit of 23.

Player	2012/13 Cap Hit	2012/13 Salary	2013/14 Salary	2014/15 Salary
Forwards	29.1	26.9	32.4	33.4
David Legwand	4.5	4.0	3.5	3.0
Martin Erat	4.5	5.5	3.8	2.3
Mike Fisher	4.2	3.0	3.0	3.0
Paul Gaustad	3.3	2.0	4.0	4.0
Patric Hornqvist	3.1	3.3	4.0	4.5
Nick Spaling	1.1	1.1	1.0	1.0
Brandon Yip	0.8	0.8	1.0	1.0
Craig Smith	0.7	0.7	3.0	3.0
Matt Halischuk	0.7	0.8	1.5	1.5
Gabriel Bourque	0.6	0.6	2.0	2.5
Brian McGrattan	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Sergei Kostitsyn	3.0	3.0	3.0	4.5
Colin Wilson	2.0	1.5	2.0	2.5
Defense	17.6	24.0	27.2	28.9
Shea Weber	7.9	14.0	14.0	14.0
Hal Gill	2.0	2.0	2.0	1.5
Ryan Ellis	1.4	0.8	0.8	3.0
Kevin Klein	1.4	1.4	4.0	4.0
Roman Josi	1.0	0.9	2.5	2.5
Veteran D	3.0	4.0	3.0	3.0
Ekholm/Blum/Bartley/7th D	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9
Goaltenders	8.5	8.3	8.5	8.5
Pekka Rinne	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Chris Mason	1.5	1.3	1.5	1.5
Other	1.8
J.P. Dumont	1.3	1.3
Brett Lebda	0.5	0.5
Grand Total	56.8	59.1	68.1	70.8

So here are what I see as the major factors over the next few seasons:

Declining Costs

A positive factor here is that the cost for core forwards like David Legwand, Martin Erat, and Mike Fisher are on the decline, and the buyouts for J.P. Dumont & Brett Lebda will come off the books after 2012-2013. Those combine for about $4.5 million in relief for 2013-14 as compared to the upcoming season.

Rising Costs

All those young players eventually come due for another contract, and there will be a number of guys who may earn significant raises next summer. Probably the biggest name there is Kevin Klein, who has developed into a solid shutdown guy who can soak up minutes at even strength and take a leading role on the PK. I would not be surprised at all to see him get $4 million or more on his next contract (before considering any league-wide rollback in salaries under the next CBA, of course). Craig Smith, Gabriel Bourque, and Roman Josi will also need new contracts, however.

Mitigation Strategies

• Re-focus on drafting & development as a core competency of the organization. Where possible, draft picks & prospects need to be acquired at the expense of players who are clearly headed to unrestricted free agency or prospects who aren't on a productive development path (i.e. Chet Pickard).
• Comb the waiver wire for players who may be able to fit specific roles within the organization. Bargain-bin wonders like Joel Ward and Jan Hlavac have made outsized contributions in recent years.
• At the Trade Deadline, strongly consider trading Paul Gaustad. Paying $4 million for a faceoff specialist & PK man after 2012-2013 is a luxury this team cannot afford. According to CapGeek, Gaustad has a modified No-Trade Clause, so there will be some limitations here as to how that might work.
• Keep the NHL roster at a minimum. While the league allows 23 players to be carried on the Active Roster, it will be imperative to keep that number closer to the minimum of 20 wherever possible. The team ran from the 2010 Trade Deadline all the way through the end of that season with just 20 guys, so it's possible to do so for stretches of time.

Those are just a few of the ideas on how the team can continue to compete in light of the heavy financial burden being taken on by the ownership. It'll be a tough challenge, but one I think we're all relieved to see the team taking on.

Report: Predators and Flyers haven't discussed a trade for Shea Weber

The Shea Weber saga took another interesting turn today, as we have a report out of Philadelphia that the Predators and Flyers haven't had any trade talks since Weber signed the massive offersheet.

Sam Carchidi of Philly.com has the news:

Two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the Flyers and Nashville Predators have NOT had any trade talks since star defenseman Shea Weber signed a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet last Wednesday.

That would seem to suggest that Nashville plans to match the Flyers' offer. Either that, or the Predators are delaying trade talks because they are trying to get the Flyers to call with a sweet proposal.

This seems to go against everything we've thought about the situation since last Wednesday night. The decision seemed to be pretty cut and dry for Poile: match or trade. Simply letting Weber walk for just the picks would put the Predators in very real danger of missing the cap floor.

So if the team wasn't going to match, a trade seems like the next likely option, right? Maybe not.

Does this mean the Predators are going to match? Or is David Poile playing a high-stakes game of chicken with Paul Holmgren and hoping that the Rick Nash trade to New York puts more pressure on the Flyers to sweeten the deal?

A decision must be made by 10:30 CT Wednesday night. The clock continues to tick...

Nashville Predators match Shea Weber offer sheet

The Nashville Predators announced today the good news we've all been waiting for since Wednesday night: they've matched the offer sheet and Shea Weber will be a Predator for the next 14 years.

Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2012) - In the most important hockey transaction in franchise history, Nashville Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran, President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile and CEO Jeff Cogen announced today that the team has matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet between the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Shea Weber, insuring that the Predators' captain will remain with the franchise for the next 14 years.

The decision to enter into the largest contract in franchise history was made by all parts of the organization, including ownership, hockey operations and business operations.

In the end, the Predators found a way to put together the cash to match the front-loaded deal that Philadelphia offered Nashville's captain.

Is this the most important deal in franchise history? On the surface it would seem so. The Predators have finally taken out the checkbook and signed its best player to a long-term deal that will keep him in Nashville for seemingly the rest of his carrer.

We'll have much, much more on this later, but for now, rejoice, Preds fans. The captain isn't going anywhere.

Poll

What do you think about Nashville's decision to match the offer sheet?

• Thumbs up
• Thumbs do- ahahahaha just kidding. Thumbs up.

  700 votes | Results

Vancouver GM expected Preds to match Shea Weber offer sheet: Monday afternoon notes

For those wondering just how serious the Nashville Predators might be about matching the Philadelphia Flyers' offer sheet on Shea Weber, some insight from another general manager involved in the hunt might help.

After the jump, our afternoon hockey notes kick off with what the Vancouver Canucks GM has to say, and why the Canucks backed off from making an offer on the Preds captain...

Nashville Predators News

Mike Gillis talks Weber, Doan and Luongo - The Globe and Mail
The Vancouver GM makes it sound like Shea Weber's goal was to indeed land a long-term, lucrative contract before the new CBA changes things, and the Canucks didn't put forth an offer sheet because they expected that the Predators would match it. Highly recommended reading here!

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Rick Nash Traded to New York Rangers - The Cannon
Check here for fan reaction out of Columbus.

With Nail Yakupov signed are the Edmonton Oilers set for next season? | Edmonton Journal
The #1 overall pick signs his entry-level deal.

VERSTEEG FINDS A HOME: High-scoring Winger Signs Long-Term Pact with Panthers | On Frozen Pond
It looks like the former Blackhawk has found a happy place in Sunrise.

Canes Now - Bowman signed to 2-year contract | newsobserver.com blogs
Carolina re-signs the 23-year-old forward.

Lubomir Visnovsky Files with NHLPA to Void New York Islanders Trade - Lighthouse Hockey
Could it get any more embarrassing for the Islanders?

The importance of quality of competition | NHLNumbers.com
Outstanding analysis here by Eric - when I started adjusting Corsi for Zone Starts last year, I left out Quality of Competition because I didn't see any significant effect there, and Eric confirms that it's because in the aggregate, players don't really face that broad of a difference in competition.

Memorial Cup replica badly damaged during Shawinigan Cataractes’ celebrations (UPDATED) - Buzzing The Net
Come on, boys, have a good time and all, but don't let it get out of control!

Convention Wrap Up - Blackhawk Up
Chicago had their annual summer convention, and Marian Hossa sounds hopeful that he'll be ready to play after taking that brutal head shot by Raffi Torres during the playoffs.

Rick Nash traded to New York Rangers by Columbus

An eventful summer for the Central Division just saw another huge move take place, as the Columbus Blue Jackets have finally traded their biggest star, winger Rick Nash, to the New York Rangers in exchange for centers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon, and a 1st-round draft pick.

Again, credit goes to TSN's Darren Dreger for breaking the news.

---

Rick Nash

#61 / Left Wing / New York Rangers

Height: 6-4

Weight: 216

Born: Jun 16, 1984

---

---

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2011 - Rick Nash	30	29	59	-19	40

---

It has been clear for months that Nash wanted a trade out of town, and GM Scott Howson has been left with the difficult task of being forced to deal a top player who has probably passed his peak, yet still carries a hefty contract.

Will this move launch a new era of competitiveness for the Blue Jackets, who have yet to win a single playoff game?In their 11 NHL seasons, they've never finished higher than 3rd in the 5-team Central Division, and they only did that once. The have 4 fourth-place finishes and 6 last-place finishes to go along with that, and are coming off a 2011-2012 campaign which saw them finish 30th overall.

Poll

Will Nashville Predators fans have to actually start worrying about the Blue Jackets now?

• Yes, this gives them a fresh start
• Wait & see, look what Jeff Carter did for them
• ROFL

  372 votes | Results

Some relief for Preds fans while we wait: Tuesday's notes

The morning hockey notes today are designed to help you keep your cool while we wait for the most critical personnel decision in Nashville Predators history to be announced. Have a laugh, satisfy some curiosity, and hang in there, folks...

Nashville Predators News

Down Goes Brown: The pros and cons of matching the Shea Weber offer sheet
I think we could all use a chuckle these days.

Greatest Hockey Legends.com: Bubba Berenzweig
Care to lose a few hours? Start with this article and browse around this hockey history encyclopedia. Trust me, you won't regret it...

Will the Rick Nash trade actually help the Predators get better value for Weber? | Section 303
As soon as the Rangers picked up Nash, speculation naturally turns to whether the Flyers might react and step up with a better trade offer.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL executives, players set to resume labour talks - The Globe and Mail
The initial stage of the dance continues...

Charlie Pierce on Sports Management - Grantland
A big-picture view that casts the NHL owners in the same sinister light as those in the NFL and Major League Baseball.

Official Jessica Redfield Sports Journalism Scholarship Fund -- Indiegogo
The family of Jessica Redfield, one of the victims in the Colorado movie theater shooting, has set up a scholarship fund in her name for aspiring sports journalists.

Sergei Kostitsyn avoids arbitration, signs w/Predators for 2 years, $6 million

TSN's Darren Dreger brings us some good news (even if misspelled a bit):

Darren Dreger

News from Nashville: Siarhei Kastsitsyn (NSH) has settled: 2 yrs AAV $3 mil.

---

Sergei Kostitsyn

#74 / Left Wing / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-0

Weight: 207

Born: Mar 20, 1987

---

---

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2011 - Sergei Kostitsyn	17	26	43	+8	34

---

SK74 was due for an arbitration hearing on August 2nd, but avoids that confrontation and earns himself a nice bump up from the $2.5 million he earned last season. Personally, I see this as pretty fair value for a guy who contributes well as a two-way winger, but hasn't shown yet that he can elevate (or even maintain) his game in the playoffs.

Now, will there be a performance bonus tied to him actually shooting the puck more often? It's too bad that's not allowed in the current CBA.

The Nashville Predators' press release follows after the jump...

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Sergei Kostitsyn to a two-year, $6 million contract.

Kostitsyn, 25 (3/20/87), notched 43 points (17g-26a) in 75 games in 2011-12, one season after leading the Predators in goals (23) and tying for the team lead in points (50). In addition to setting career highs in game-winning goals (3), shots (97) and average ice time (16:28) in 2011-12, the 6-0, 196-pound right wing ranked 10th in the NHL in shooting percentage (17.5), making his 21.1 percent success rate from 2010-12 is tops among players with at least 30 goals. In 307 career NHL contests with Nashville and Montreal since 2007, the Novopolotsk, Belarus native has 161 points (64g-97a).

Montreal's sixth choice, 200th overall (seventh round), in the 2005 Entry Draft has represented Belarus in 10 international competitions since 2003, including the 2010 Olympics and the World Championships in May.

Poll

What do you think of this contract?

• What a bargain!
• About right
• Too much

  419 votes | Results

Nashville Predators sign Jack MacLellan to two-way contract

The Nashville Predators continue rounding out the roster in Milwaukee with the following announcement:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free agent forward Jack Maclellan to a one-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 at the National Hockey League level and $70,000 at the American Hockey League level.

Maclellan, 24 (6/5/88), signed with the Predators as a free agent after the completion of his collegiate career at Brown University (ECAC) on March 10, 2012 and stayed at the NHL level for the remainder of the 2011-12 season and playoffs. The Calgary, Alta., native was a 2012 All-Ivy First-Team Selection and All-ECAC Second-Team Selection after leading the Brown Bears in points for the third straight season (15g-15a-30pts) as a senior. The 5-11, 188-pound center also captained the Bears as a senior, and was named to the Lowe's Senior CLASS Second Team for being a "total student-athlete who used his platform in athletics to make a positive impact as a leaders in the communities."

The four-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team selection completed his four-year collegiate career at as the 23rd player in BU school history to record 100 points, registering 101 points (46g-55a) in 121 games.

MacLellan joined the Preds as a collegiate free agent after finishing his career at Brown this spring. He stayed with the team as a practice player during the playoffs.

Weber drama highlights Nashville's development as a hockey market: Sunday's notes

The decision of whether or not the Nashville Predators will match the Shea Weber offer sheet will stand as a turning point in the history of the franchise. Will they step up as a team which can develop and retain elite talent and contend for the Stanley Cup, or will they go back to the expansion ear, "Little Engine That Could" mentality of aspiring simply to compete despite limited resources?

Today's hockey notes begin with a broader look at the development of hockey in Nashville, starting with that existential question at the pro level before examining where things stand with the collegiate and junior game...

Nashville Predators News

For Nashville Predators, clock is ticking on Shea Weber | The Tennessean
Given the statements that team ownership has made over the last couple years, declining to match the offer sheet would represent an abrupt about-face. Thanks to Nate Rau for including some comments from me in this piece.

Nashville's youth hockey talent migrates north | The Tennessean
Yes, they're leaving town for better opportunities, but it's remarkable to see this area producing hockey talent of this caliber. Remember, the NHL has been in California for 45 years, and it's only recently that they've started producing 1st-round draftees like Jon Blum.

Frozen Four still in sights for Nashville | The Tennessean
2015 would be the earliest, but this would be a great event to bring here.

Nashville-area colleges remain cool to adding hockey as sport | The Tennessean

Yeah, we're not going to see an expansion of collegiate hockey around these parts for a looooooong time, if ever.

Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher talks about trust - Inspiring Athletes
Spend some Sunday morning time with Fish.

Schedule Preparation | Admirals Roundtable
I wonder if the NHL uses something similar to this.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Larry Brooks: Ed Snider, Philadelphia Flyers chairman, playing both side on Shea Weber offer sheet - NYPOST.com
Brooks points out the hypocrisy of the Flyers owner extending an offer sheet loaded with front-loading and signing bonuses, while playing a key role in the proposal to ban such techniques under the next CBA.

How The Shea Weber Offer Sheet Reflects The NHL's CBA Problem - SBNation.com
It will be interesting to see how the next CBA handles revenue sharing & the salary cap structure, but the Flyers have pushed things to the limit within the existing rules here.

NHL labour dispute: A player's perspective - CBC.ca
One anonymous player shares his view on the labor situation and the owners' initial proposal.

Colorado Avalanche will honor Jessica (Redfield) Ghawi - Denver Post
A nice touch.

Red Wings GM criticized for lack of offseason splash; but is it premature? | Puck Daddy
If they don't land Shane Doan and/or Alexander Semin, are the Red Wings due for a fall?

Dallas Stars Sign Mark Fistric To One-Year, $1.475 Million Contract - Defending Big D
Dallas brings back the (ahem) physical defenseman.

Brodeur, Selanne lead NHL's over-35 club - NHL.com
An All-Geezer Team would be a pretty good one.

Exploring Habs’ Advanced Statistics | All Habs Hockey Magazine
Outside of the interest in how Blake Geoffrion is doing (not well), what do you think of the format here? Would you be interested in seeing something similar on the Preds?

Evaluating goalies in context: adjusted Save Percentage, or SV%+ - Broad Street Hockey
Here's one way of setting goalie performance into context.

Dan Carcillo blames goaltending for Flyers’ 2010 Cup Final loss, has zero respect for Laviolette | Puck Daddy
Car Bomb goes off.

Pittsburgh Penguins fire lead team doctor | Puck Drunk Love
All the Pens' horseman and all the Pens' men, couldn't put Crosby together again. So they're out. (OK, maybe not really, but I couldn't resist a line like that)

Blackhawks’ Kane denies drinking problem speculation, admits embarrassment with image | Puck Daddy
He's not as think as you drunk he is, honesht.

Of Hearts and Minds - The Union Blue
A Blue Jackets fan shares a rather interesting perspective on what's going on these days in Nashville.

Black Friday in July sale is huge for hockey players & goalies | Hockey Gear HQ
This weekend brings two great online hockey equipment sales, and for you goalies out there, this is your lucky day.

We're not going to lose players because of money. The only way we'll lose them is if there's some...

We're not going to lose players because of money.

The only way we'll lose them is if there's some chemistry issue, or their grandmother lives in Montreal or something, the intangibles. But they know we're competitive and they know we're committed after this season, so we're in a really good place.

Nashville Predators chairman Tom Cigarran just a few weeks ago, right before free agency opened, as quoted by The Tennessean.

I'm tempted to keep this quote front and center on the site until we hear whether or not Shea Weber's offer sheet gets matched.

MEDIA NOTE: The folks at NewsChannel 5 were kind enough to include some quotes from me in a segment airing on Sports Central tonight at 10:20, wherein we talk about the notion of working out a trade with Philadelphia in order to get roster players instead of some of those 1st-round draft picks.

Putting the "Ek" in Expectations: Monday's Notes

And now for something completely different.

Our morning hockey notes start off with a distraction from the Shea Weber saga, as defensive prospect Mattias Ekholm looks ahead to his first full year of North American hockey, after a vicious tongue-lashing from Barry Trotz came at the end of his NHL stint last fall...

Nashville Predators News

NHL Swedish back in the team after sawing - Expressen.se
Run this one through the Google Translator, for a story on how Mattias Ekholm is ready to put the episode from last year behind him.

Silence from Predators regarding Shea Weber is speaking volumes - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond's sick of hearing Weber's agent doing all the talking.

Shea Weber Will Likely Collect All of the Predators' Ticket Revenue Next Season if They Match the Flyers' Offer - Crossing Broad
Included here is a purported profit/loss statement from a couple years ago that highlights the financial disparity between the Preds & the Flyers.

New Jersey Devils Podcast Talking Red: Episode 78 - New Coaches & Players Re-Signed - In Lou We Trust
SB Nation's Devils podcast chatted up Sam about Suter, Weber, and... Matt Halischuk.

Flyers have put Poile, Preds in a no-win situation… | Section 303
Like it or not, this is a contract the Predators must agree to, writes Jeremy.

It’s Nashville Predators day on PHT | ProHockeyTalk
PHT devoted a number of articles to the Preds yesterday.

Note: It looked like there were some interesting articles at the Tennessean this morning, but thanks to the new paywall, I can't read them.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Does Dean Lombardi want to stand pat? - Jewels From The Crown
While they keep the whole gang together in L.A., or introduce some change to keep things from getting stale?

Tracers: Theo Peckham | mc79hockey.com
Parsing the logic of a tough guy who feels comfortable heading to the box, perhaps too comfortable.

An Open Letter to HockeyyInsiderr - The Hockey Guys
It's hard to get excited when they get one of their stories right when they get a zillion other ones wrong along the way.