Come on down to the Open House: Saturday's notes

It's Open House Day at Bridgestone Arena, so if you have the chance, make it downtown for the Used Equipment Sale, an Open Skate from 2-4, locker room tours, and of course the launch of single-game ticket sales. Will I see you down there?

While you get ready for the day, gloss over your morning hockey notes, which start off with a rather unusual song dedicated to one of the Preds...

Nashville Predators News

Nashville fan "Curly Clump" writes an absolutely killer country song about Shea Weber | Backhand Shelf
While I'm sure 99.999% of you disagree with the sentiment, I have to tip my hat to the effort put forth here (warning: completely NSFW audio).

Analysis: Nashville Predators still in need of upgrades | The Tennessean
It's a familiar story this summer - the organization talks up the kids' ability to step into larger roles, while outsiders look at the team and say they obviously need one more veteran (recall the timing of when Francis Bouillon and Shane O`Brien joined the team).

Alex Kovalev and the Predators: Can He Become Jagr Part II? | The Predatorial

I'll pass, but give full marks for creativity.

Nashville Predators would welcome Shane Doan | The Tennessean
Don't expect him to come here, though.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Trying to figure out which NHL teams are using statistical analysis in their front office - CBSSports.com
Some teams are becoming more and more open about the extent to which geekery is providing value.

Barclays Center CEO 'trying like hell' to get Islanders to move to Brooklyn - CBSSports.com
That's interesting to see an executive speak that boldly about this situation... the NHL generally frowns on that.

Frozen Grounds: How Seattle Fits Into The NHL - SB Nation Seattle
You know what could become a sticking point in the CBA negotiations? The players don't get a cut of the expansion fees that new teams pay to join the NHL, and with the possibilities of two teams being added, the NHLPA would presumably be eager to cash in.

Rick Nash full-page ad in Columbus Dispatch
A nice gesture by Nash, thanking the fans in Columbus for their support during his nine seasons there. Attention Ryan Suter & Jordin Tootoo - if you want to thank Nashville fans, feel free to contact me about ad space here at OTF!

20 years of Tampa Bay Lightning logos, which is your favorite? - Raw Charge
As for me, I love love love the newest one.

Feast your eyes on these awesome, NHL-themed luchador masks (PHOTO) | Puck Daddy
Super, super cool.

Jaromir Jagr on lockout plans, his time in Philadelphia and signing with Dallas | Puck Daddy
Jagr enjoyed his season in Philly, but looks ahead to a major role with the Stars.

The Calgary Flames and the Theory of Mediocrity | Overtime
Matt Reitz meditates on the continued tire-spinning in Calgary.

Optimism, Choice, and the New Montreal Canadiens | Backhand Shelf
Meanwhile in Montreal, all eyes will be on Marc Bergevin, who takes the helm as GM of the NHL's most fabled franchise.

Grand Rapids Griffins give you POV experience of a flying t-shirt (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
Well, this is is something I've never wondered about. It's cool, though.

Online "Tent Sale" saves 20% on hockey equipment | Hockey Gear HQ
Whether you need to upgrade your skates, get a new helmet, or pick up a few sticks for the new season, some of the biggest hockey sites are slashing prices this month.

A lot can happen in 14 years: Thursday's notes

One of the lingering questions coming out of the Shea Weber drama is whether this team and this player will truly see things all the way through their new 14-year commitment. Our (belated) hockey notes today start with one local blogger wondering whether that's really all that important...

How to get an NHL jersey customized for just $5 | Hockey Gear HQ
So what are you in the market for? GOOSE #28? USS GILL #75? The deal outlined here (which expires Friday at 11 a.m. Central) is a great way to save while gearing up for the new campaign.

Nashville Predators News

Shea Weber: The Hero Nashville Needs Right Now | PuckScene.com
Does Shea Weber really want to be here long-term? Patten's willing to kick that question down the road. I can't help hearing Bob Seger's We've Got Tonight after reading this one...

Nashville Zoo to host Predators Day for fans | The Tennessean
Mark your calendar for August 26...

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

The Dark Blue Jacket: Quick thoughts on "Before The Battle"
The Blue Jackets are the latest team to film a "behind the scenes" documentary... do you think the Preds should do the same?

Greg Jamison lacks cash needed to run Coyotes after possible purchase - Phoenix Business Journal
It doesn't sound like this is going to be resolved any time soon.

Escrow a nasty word to players - The Globe and Mail
David Shoalts breaks down the escrow issue, but leaves out an important point. A big reason why the players give back money via escrow is because the cap system almost ensures that teams will spend more on player costs in a given season than their 57% share of Hockey Related Revenues. The league calculates a midpoint between the cap and floor for the next season each summer, but more teams end up spend above that mid-point than below it. In addition, the players have always opted to enable a 5% escalator in the cap level above and beyond that calculation, which allows teams to spend even more above that calculated mid-point, leaving Player Costs well in excess of the Players Share every year, and thus requiring escrow to be taken out of every player's paycheck.

Leafs Outdoor Classic Jersey " Berger Bytes
It looks like Toronto will draw inspiration from jerseys of 80 years ago for the upcoming Winter Classic.

5 awesomely terrible hockey romance novel titles | Backhand Shelf
*facepalm*

Orlando Solar Bears to celebrate IHL championship 12 years later | Puck Daddy
And who was the coach of that team? Current Predators Associate Coach Peter Horachek...

"It's Your Fault We're Losing": Friday's notes

What the NHL desperately needs is some new blood in the head coaching ranks, fresh ideas on how to approach the game and motivate players. No, I'm not talking about promoting the hottest name from the AHL or junior hockey ranks. I like what I hear from guys like Will Ferrell and Zack Galifianakis...

How to get an NHL jersey customized for just $5 | Hockey Gear HQ
So what are you in the market for? GOOSE #28? USS GILL #75? The deal outlined here (which expires TODAY at 11 a.m. Central) is a great way to save while gearing up for the new campaign.

Nashville Predators News

Stars’ odds to win Stanley Cup actually are worse after free agency | Dallas Stars Blog
In the latest Bodog release on 2013 Stanley Cup odds, the Preds dropped from 18-1 to 25-1 since mid-June. That still leaves them above-average, but does that properly reflect the loss of Ryan Suter?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Almost a year after tragic plane crash, Lokomotiv returns to KHL | Puck Daddy
The new Lokomotiv team made its preseason debut against Alexander Radulov and CSKA.

Pre-Season NHL Rankings: The Western Conference - The Hockey Writers
The Preds portion here is pretty funny, it's like a flashback to 2008.

The Bias Survey: Scientific proof that we're all gigantic homers - Broad Street Hockey
Fun stuff here, but there's one thing fans agreed on: they didn't like the decision not to suspend Shea Weber during the playoffs.

2012-13 Carolina Hurricanes Season Preview - Loading Up For a Southeast Run | NHLNumbers.com
You know, this just might be a team I'll adopt this season in the Eastern Conference, I'm intrigued to see how they do since adding Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin.

Who Would You Rather Have? Joe Thornton vs. Pavel Datsyuk - CBSSports.com
I'll take Datsyuk in a heartbeat.

Griffin Reinhart Reaches Entry Level Deal with New York Islanders - Lighthouse Hockey
After completing his academic career at Hogwarts, he's ready for pro hockey.

Sergei Fedorov, other 'Russian Five' players added to Wings' alumni game roster | The Detroit News
I've never seen a more dominant group of skaters than the Russian Five in the mid-90's, and yes, that includes the 80's Oilers.

Back to School sale slashes equipment prices by 20% | Hockey Gear HQ
A new sale not only cuts prices on hockey equipment, but apparel, backpacks and shoes, too!

And lastly... here are the two head coaching prodigies I mentioned earlier:

Who is the greatest #7 in Nashville Predators history?

It's time for our jersey number series to take a lucky turn, as we consider the top players to ever wear #7 for Nashville...

Cliff Ronning

Ronning, at age 31, was acquired by the Nashville Predators from the Phoenix Coyotes on October 31, 1998. He came to the fledgling Predators at the perfect time, when his veteran presence and scoring punch was needed most. Though the Preds finished second-to-last in their first NHL season, Ronning undoubtedly proved his worth to the team. In four seasons with Nashville, he led the team in scoring, exceeding the 60 point mark twice. He was also instrumental in mentoring young players at the time, such as David Legwand. Ronning was eventually traded to Los Angeles just before the trade deadline in 2002.

Jeff Nelson

Center Jeff Nelson was a high scorer in junior and minor leagues, yet failed to maintain his momentum at the NHL level. After spending the 97-98 season with the Milwaukee Admirals, in which he scored 20 goals and 34 points, Nelson was signed as a free agent on August 19, 1998 by the Nashville Predators. After only 9 games in the Preds' inaugural season, in which he was able to score 2 goals and 3 points in 9 games, he spent the rest of the 98-99 season playing for Milwaukee once again, continuing his minor league success with 20 goals and 51 points in 70 games. Nelson was traded to the Washington Capitals on June 22, 1999.

Greg de Vries

De Vries was another player who kicked off the Preds' inaugural season. The defenseman was acquired from Edmonton on October 1, 1998. However, after just six games with the Predators, he was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche, where he would go on to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2001. De Vries would then return to the Predators after being signed as a free agent on July 2, 2007. He played two seasons with the Predators, registering 5 goals and 20 points and was a -8 for the two seasons. He retired shortly thereafter and currently divides his time between Stratford, Ontario and Brentwood, Tennessee.

Scottie Upshall

The Fort McMurray, Alberta native was the 1^st choice, 6^th overall selection of the Nashville Predators in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. In the fall of 2002, after a brief 8-game cameo with the NHL club, he was returned to his WHL team, the Kamloops Blazers, where he registered 56 points in 42 games. The speedy winger played mostly for Milwaukee the following season, a key contributor to Admirals' run to the 2004 Calder Cup title. In 2005-06, Upshall finally implanted himself into the Predators lineup, and he exploded. He recorded a career high in games played (48), goals (8), assists (18), and points (24). The following season, Upshall suffered a groin injury and would end up missing 30 games with the Predators before eventually being dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the Peter Forsberg trade.

Jonathon Blum

The first California-born and raised player to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, "Blummer" was Nashville's first choice, 23^rd overall in the 2007 Draft. In 2009, Blum played his first full season with the Milwaukee Admirals and scored his first professional goal on October 14, 2009, against Hannu Toivonen in a 5-2 win against the Peoria Rivermen. Blum finished the campaign with 11 goals and 30 assists for 41 points, third among all rookie defensemen in the league. He was also a strong asset for the Ads during their playoff run against the Chicago Wolves, as he added eight points in seven playoff games to his résumé before being eliminated by the Wolves in the first round. The following year, Blum recorded 7 goals and 34 points in 54 games with the Admirals. He was rewarded by being recalled by the Preds on February 22, 2011.

Remaining with the Predators for the remainder of the campaign, Blum recorded 3 goals and 8 points over 23 NHL games while averaging 17 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time per contest. Blum helped the Predators advance all the way to the second round of the 2011 playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks, tallying two assists over a total of 12 games. Following the elimination, Blum was re-assigned to the Admirals for game 7 of the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Aeroes, which Milwaukee lost. The following year, Blum made the Predators' roster out of training camp for the first time in 2011-12. He scored 3 goals and 7 points 33 games with the Predators before being made a healthy scratch in two consecutive games. He was reassigned Milwaukee on December 12, 2011, with whom he amassed 4 goals and 26 points.

Poll

Who is the greatest #7 in Nashville Predators history?

• Jonathon Blum
• Greg de Vries
• Jeff Nelson
• Cliff Ronning
• Scottie Upshall

  38 votes | Results

Call him Captain Zach: Wednesday afternoon notes

We've got so much good hockey stuff to share with you today that it simply can't wait for the morning. Besides, you have to have something to flip through while keeping one eye on the Olympics, right?

Our afternoon hockey notes include big news for one of the Nashville Predators' most interesting prospects...

How to get an NHL jersey customized for just $5 | Hockey Gear HQ
So what are you in the market for? GOOSE #28? USS GILL #75? The deal outlined here (which expires Friday at 11 a.m. Central) is a great way to save while gearing up for the new campaign.

Nashville Predators News

Gophers Hockey: Zach Budish Named 2012-2013 Captain, Nick Bjugstad & Seth Helgeson Wearing "A's" - SB Nation Minnesota
A nice recognition for the 2009 2nd-round pick by Nashville, who has come along nicely after missing the 2010-2011 season with his second severe knee injury.

Preds have salary cap flexibility - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper came out of hiding and saw his shadow, so I guess that means 6 more weeks without hockey.

Also, we have this video posted today on the Preds' site. Might either Taylor Beck or Michael Latta make their NHL debut this season?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

ESPN’s ’30 for 30′ series to tackle John Spano/Islanders ownership saga | Puck Daddy
This guy was old-school long before "Boots" Del Biaggio came around.

If No Doan or Ryan,The Sabres Should Go After Jason Arnott | The Hockey Writers
At least in the blogosphere, Arnie's a hot commodity.

Vancouver Canucks kick the tires on Jason Arnott - Vancouver Sun
The Canucks are interested, too...

How Does The NHL-CHL Agreement Regarding Prospects Work? - Stanley Cup of Chowder
The intro here is Bruins-specific, but the rest is a good refresher on how prospects have to work their way up the ladder.

Forwards and NHLE - 2010 Draft | NHLNumbers.com
Austin Watson doesn't exactly stand out as a budding offensive force.

2012 NHL Rumors: Is The NHL CBA Holding Things Up? - Blueshirt Banter
Is it really the CBA holding things up on the trade market? I don't know if I see it that way.

Hockey Training: It’s officially That Time of Year | Backhand Shelf
Yeah, it's about time I got off my butt, too.

Rec Hockey Tips: how to change on the fly | Backhand Shelf
My favorite change in recent years came a couple seasons ago, when Joel Ward jumped on the ice and still had a towel draped over his shoulder.

Ask the Owner: Ted Leonsis Answers Your Questions (Part I) - Japers' Rink
Among other things, the Caps owner talks about the extensive use of analytics within Washington's hockey operations group.

Ask the Owner: Ted Leonsis Answers Your Questions (Part II) - Japers' Rink
...and here's the conclusion of this interview.

Top 30 Ice Hockey Bloopers (Part II - Picks 16-30) = The Hockey Writers
Who doesn't love bloopers?

Hockey Movie Character MVP Bracket: Ross Rhea vs Xavier LaFlamme - Hockey Wilderness
The goon, or the dandy? Choose wisely.

Flyers officially agree with Peter Laviolette on 'multi-year' contract extension - Broad Street Hockey
He's got things humming along pretty well in Philly.

Hockey Independent Summer Reads | Hockey Independent
Here's a good way to get through the month, read a book or five.

Who is the greatest #5 in Nashville Predators history?

David picks up with the latest installment of our jersey number series, and finally, we get to consider a forward in the mix! Blake Geoffrion may not have had the longest Nashville Predators career, but his was certainly the most eagerly anticipated. - Dirk

Follow after the jump for today's candidates...

Jan Vopat

Jan Vopat was acquired by the Nashville Predators from the Los Angeles Kings prior to the commencement of the Preds' inaugural season in 1998 and stayed with the team for two years. He was a smart, but not overly physical, defenseman. He stuck to a simple game with few mistakes and left the fancy stickwork to his teammates. He played 55 games during the inaugural season and amassed 5 goals and 11 points total.

Vopat's downfall came toward the end of the season, as he developed a rare rash on his skin and knees known in sports circles as "gunk." This rash grew worse to the point that it disrupted Vopat's play. The Preds' staff tried everything, from applying various ointments to changing cleaning supplies and equipment materials, yet these efforts were to no avail. Vopat ended the following season early after only six games and became a free agent at the end of the 99-00 season. He would retire shortly thereafter following a brief stint in Finland.

Andy Delmore

Andy Delmore was for the Predators what Mike Green is for the Capitals: a talented offensive defenseman who was instrumental in quarterbacking the Preds' powerplay. He came to Nashville following the 00-01 season after a very successful run with the Philadelphia Flyers. In Nashville, Delmore accumulated 72 points in just two seasons with the Predators. In fact, for the 01-02 and 02-03 season, Delmore had the highest number of powerplay goals (11 and 14, respectively) on the entire team. He also led the team in shots (175) in 2002-2003 before being dealt to Buffalo that summer.

Brad Bombardir

Brad Bombardir was acquired from Minnesota in the latter half of the 03-04 season. The defenseman played only 13 games with the Predators in the regular season and scored no points, although he was a +1. Bombardir also accompanied the Predators to their first ever playoff series, facing their Central Division rival, the Detroit Red Wings. Bombardir was able to tally one assist in the 6-game series.

Tomas Kloucek

Another player that spent only a very brief time in Nashville, Tomas Kloucek was known to be a stay-at-home defenseman. He was acquired from the New York Rangers along with Rem Murray and Marek Zidlicky for Mike Dunham on December 12, 2002. In the one-year span before being dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers, Kloucek dressed for a handful of games with the Preds while spending the majority of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In the 8 games Kloucek played for the Predators, he was able to amass only one assist, yet he was a remarkable +4 for the short time he spent playing with the Predators. Kloucek played 34 games with the Admirals and was able to score 6 assists during his time there.

Greg Zanon

Greg Zanon was a solid defenseman who had the capability of chipping in offensively. Zanon joined the Milwaukee Admirals in the 03-04 season and was instrumental in the club's run to the 2004 Calder Cup Championship. For the next several seasons, he would split time between the AHL and the Nashville Predators or the NHL. He played a total of 230 games with the Predators between 2005 and 2009, accumulating 7 goals and 26 points. Zanon became the team leader in several categories during his stint with the Predators, including blocked shots (06-08) and the highest +/- by a defenseman in the 06-07 season.

Blake Geoffrion

"Boomer," a nickname bestowed upon Blake Geoffrion by his teammates in honor of his grandfather, was selected 56^th overall by the Nashville Predators at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was a conference all-star in his senior year of 09-10 at the University of Wisconsin. He was also named the consensus All-American and Player of the Year and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top college player in the United States.

Geoffrion made his professional debut for the Milwaukee Admirals at the end of the 09-10 season and scored 2 goals in 3 playoff games. He was assigned back to Milwaukee for the upcoming season, where he truly demonstrated to the Predators' brass his capabilities. After scoring 16 points in his first 31 games of the season, Geoffrion improved to 17 points in seven games, and became the first AHL player to be named AHL Player of the Week consecutively since Jim Carey in 1994.

Due to his success, the Predators decided to recall Geoffrion on February 25, 2011. He scored his first NHL goal, in his third game, against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Martin Gerber on March 1 and surprised many when he registered his first hat trick on March 20, 2011, against the Buffalo Sabres. Unfortunately, the following season was not such a hit for Geoffrion, as he was demoted to the Admirals once more after playing 22 games for the Predators. He played another 20 with the Admirals before he was fittingly traded to Montreal, which is where his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father played.

Poll

Who is the greatest #5 in Nashville Predators history?

• Brad Bombardir
• Andy Delmore
• Blake Geoffrion
• Tomas Kloucek
• Jan Vopat
• Greg Zanon

  434 votes | Results

Who is the greatest #6 in Nashville Predators history?

Welcome to the second-greatest mismatch I think we're likely to see in this series breaking down the top players to wear each jersey number in Nashville Predators history. Not that I mean to prejudice your vote or anything, but, well, you know...

Follow @Forechecker

Bob Boughner (1999-2000)

Claimed by Nashville in the 1998 Expansion Draft, Boughner provided some stability and toughness on the Preds' blueline during the early going. In March 2000 he was traded to Pittsburgh, having played 141 games as a Predator with 5 goals, 14 assists, a -19 rating and 234 penalty minutes.

His enduring contribution to the Preds' franchise has been his coaching of Ryan Ellis in his capacity as head coach/owner of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires.

Stan Neckar (2004)

February 26, 2004 was the one and only game that Stan Neckar played for the Nashville Predators, as he earned an assist in a 4-0 win over Minnesota. It was also the only regular season game he played that year, as chronic groin trouble (which had bothered him previously) kept him out of the lineup during this, his final NHL season.

It wasn't all bad news, however. In March the Preds traded him to Tampa Bay for a 6th-round draft pick, and Neckar got to ride along to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship, playing two games in the playoffs for the Lightning.

Shea Weber (2006-present)

Hmm... let's look at his resume so far:

• Two-time Norris Trophy finalist and NHL All-Star
• Rends nets asunder with his booming slapper
• Says that "if you can play, You Can Play"
• Grows a fearsome bit o' facial hair
• Has a nasty temper

...and he's got 14 more years to work adding to that list. Didya know that in the first six games of his rookie season, he actually wore #48?

Poll

Who is the greatest #6 in Nashville Predators history?

• Bob Boughner
• Stan Neckar
• Shea Weber

  189 votes | Results

Welcome to the longest month of the year: Wednesday's notes

Here we are... August. It's the one truly dead month on the NHL calendar. June has the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and the Draft, July has free agency opening, and September brings training camp. August, however? Well, we're on our own to come up with something, and the Preds are doing their part by holding an Open House on Saturday, followed by the Skate of the Union Town Hall meeting later this month. Still, hockey seems a long ways off.

But hey, look on the bright side - this tweet came along yesterday the Nashville Predators' Manager of Video Production:

Ice goes in tomorrow!They're getting the floor ready. twitter.com/skyking626/sta…

— Mitch Jordan (@skyking626) July 31, 2012

What better way to kick off the month of August than by putting in a fresh sheet of ice?

So just keep thinking cool thoughts while reading your morning hockey notes...

Nashville Predators News

Paul McCann - July Ends - The Stories of August to Come...
Paul sees a Comcast business move here in Nashville as payback for the Preds matching Weber's offer sheet.

Smashville 24/7 - Did Preds get bargains for Kostitsyn, Wilson?
I'd say no and yes, respectively. One thing I wonder, though - where does this notion that a 50-point scorer here is worth as much as a 60-70 point player elsewhere come from? Why can't we have nice things? Seriously, though, the opportunity is hanging right there for this team to start getting major production (and value) from Colin Wilson if he can put it all together and appease Barry Trotz.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL labor talks: League gives NHLPA 76,000 pages of financial documents - NHL - Sporting News
I have a feeling the long slog is only just beginning.

NHL Players should make offer of 50 percent of revenue to kick start negotiations | Dallas Stars Blog
Note to self: don't ever hire Mike Heika to negotiate on my behalf.

Down Goes Brown: A hockey fan's guide to the Summer Olympics
The Olympics: NBC has been accused of spoiling their broadcasts by giving away the results of events that haven't aired yet. The NHL: NBC has been accused of spoiling their broadcasts by giving air time to Mike Milbury.

Attention turns to Bobby Ryan - The Hockey News
Forget Shane Doan... will anyone pull off a trade for this guy?

Are The Blackhawks Going To Make A Move Arnott? - Blackhawk Up
The former Preds captain might make an affordable and productive option for bolstering Chicago at center.

It's official: ALFIE'S BACK! - Silver Seven
There's jubilation in Ottawa as their captain returns.

Pat Kaleta Signs 3 Year/$3.825 Million Contract - Die By The Blade
Buffalo signs its super-pest.

For All the Cupless Losers: How Do You Measure Success? - Lighthouse Hockey
Expect a Preds-themed riff on this coming soon.

My First Hawks Hero: Rick Vaive - Second City Hockey
For those of you who think Patric Hornqvist can't score 40 because all he does is work close to the net, here's a guy who got it done that way.

20 Years In The Making: A Dallas Stars Retrospective - Defending Big D
It was 1993 when the Stars headed south.

Six Free Agent Defensemen The Edmonton Oilers Could Sign | Edmonton Journal
Another solid review of the notable remaining free agent defensemen.

Scott Howson's interesting track record | NHLNumbers.com

Has he generally done the right thing, only to be undermined by circumstance?

New MLSE owners will shift focus to winning - sportsnet.ca

Once the deal closes on the Toronto Maple Leafs sale, could change come swiftly?

League Equivalencies and NHL Rookies - Puck Worlds
We'll revisit this analysis next summer, to see how 2012 Preds draft pick Patrick Aberg projects as a potential NHL player.

Who is the greatest #4 in Nashville Predators history?

Our Nashville Predators jersey number series continues with another group of defensemen, since they tend to dominate the single-digit section of the roster. The #4 has been worn by all sorts of defensemen in Nashville over the years, from undersized puck-movers to stay-at-home shot blockers. But who has done it the most honor?

Follow after the jump for More, including some Fruit Cup!

Looking for a Preds jersey? Ice Jerseys has a deal to save 10-30% on your order, but it ends today!

Jay More (1998)

Another one of the journeymen to make a temporary stop on the Nashville blueline, More joined the Preds at the beginning of that initial 1998-1999 season, after having been signed as a free agent over the summer (in fact, he was the Preds' first-ever FA signing). In a December 10 game against the Florida Panthers, however, he suffered a concussion which ended his playing days.

In 18 games for Nashville, he scored no goals, added two assists, and had 18 penalty minutes.

Mark Eaton (2001-2006)

Eaton was a staple of those early Preds teams which scratched & clawed their way to respectability and those first two playoff berths, coming just before and after the Great Lockout of 2004-2005. In 2000-2001, he led the team with a +7 Plus/Minus rating, a feat he repeated in 2003-2004 with a +16 (rare opportunities for a relatively pedestrian defenseman to lead the team). In 2005-2006, he set a franchise record at the time with 170 Blocked Shots.

In 286 total games for the Preds, Eaton compiled 15 goals, 30 assists, and 130 penalty minutes. He left Nashville as a free agent in the summer of 2006.

Vitaly Vishnevski (2007)

Vishnevski had perhaps one of the strangest careers as a Nashville Predator. Acquired in exchange for Eric Belanger from Atlanta at the 2007 Trade Deadline (Belanger having just been acquired the day before, never having played for the Preds), he was seen as a significant addition to a high-flying Nashville team that lacked a physical presence on defense.

It seemed like he ended up in Barry Trotz's doghouse right away, however, playing 15 games down the stretch but none in the playoffs, as Nashville got manhandled by the San Jose Sharks in what was the Preds' most frustrating playoff loss to that point. Vishnevski joined New Jersey as a free agent that summer and played one more year in the NHL.

Ville Koistinen (2007-2009)

After a surprising rookie campaign in 2007-2008, it was hoped that Koistinen might follow the model of Kimmo Timonen and provide some offensive spark as an undersized puck-moving defenseman. Especially after the Fire Sale of 2007, the Predators needed every bit of help they could get, especially on the power play. After that initial season Koistinen took the team to arbitration, which probably didn't help his standing in an organization that was watching every penny at that point in time.

The next season saw his ice time and production tail off, and as Ryan Suter & Dan Hamhuis grew into leading roles, there was more of a need for grit on the left side rather than more skill. He signed with Florida as a free agent in 2009 and played just one more year in the NHL before heading overseas.

In 86 career games here, Koistinen put up 7 goals and 21 assists, along with 32 penalty minutes and a +13 rating.

Teemu Laakso (2009)

Here's Teemu again already, just two days after showing up in the #2 debate. He broke camp with the big club in 2009, but only lasted 7 games before heading back to Milwaukee. He recorded no points during that run.

Cody Franson (2010-2011)

"Fruit Cup" showed considerable offensive talent during his two seasons in Nashville, and in his sophomore year of 2010-2011 he switched to #4 from 32. Apparently he drew some inspiration from Bobby Orr,as he recorded a beauty of a goal against Tampa Bay in October of that season. With Shea Weber leading the way, Kevin Klein developing into a reliable stopper and Ryan Ellis pushing from below, Franson's spot on the depth chart grew increasingly perilous, however.

In the summer of 2011 he was sent to Toronto along with Matthew Lombardi as the prize for Lombardi's salary dump, but so far Franson hasn't earned a regular spot in the Maple Leafs lineup, either.

Bearing the #4, Franson put up 8 goals and 21 assists in 80 games, along with 30 penalty minutes and a +10 rating.

Poll

Who is the greatest #4 in Nashville Predators history?

• Mark Eaton
• Cody Franson
• Ville Koistinen
• Teemu Laakso
• Jay More
• Vitaly Vishnevski

  60 votes | Results

Phoenix in the spotlight for another summer: Tuesday's notes

It's too bad for the Phoenix Coyotes that their ownership story is what has kept them in the NHL spotlight the last few summers. Despite all the off-ice turmoil they've had to endure every since former owner Jerry Mores threw them into his bankruptcy-to-Balsillie scheme, this is a team which has found a way to make the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

Our around the league hockey notes this morning start off with an encouraging legal step taken in Glendale, and an insightful look at exactly how the Coyotes' management and players have continued to get the job done...

Nashville Predators News

First off, we'll start with confirmation of what had been discussed here a couple days ago:

Joining Djurgarden Hockey team in Sweden! Very excited for this new opportunity! Stockholm here I come! :)

— Chet Pickard (@CPickard37) July 30, 2012

Recapping the 2012 Central Division Tweet Up… | The Predatorial
Kris reports on a fun and fundraising event in Columbus over the weekend, which is destined for Nashville next summer.

With Weber deal, Predators shift from working-class model to study in capitalism | Nashville City Paper
Both the Weber & Rinne deals are among the priciest in the league at their position, which is new territory for Nashville.

Shane Doan’t: Sykora Should Be Predators Target | The Predatorial
Jeremy sees Sykora as a bargain pickup who could bolster depth on the wing, just as David did last week.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Judge Smacks Down Save Glendale Now, Upholds Sales Tax Increase - Five For Howling
Nice, but it would have helped more for the judge to drop $20 million into Jamison's investment group.

Five possible landing spots if Doan leaves Phoenix - NHL.com
Round and round he goes, where he stops, nobody knows...

How the Phoenix Coyotes Are Winning an Unfair Game | Overtime
No matter what ends up happening here, the Hockey Operations staff with the Coyotes has done an incredible job over the last few years.

Avs demonstrate their budget-consciousness during the offseason - The Denver Post
Colorado is trying to win on the cheap, too, but hasn't been as successful.

Is revenue sharing the NHL's only answer to avoiding lockout? - The Globe and Mail
The NHL lags far behind other major pro sports in its level of revenue sharing, but it sounds like the onus is on the players to make an argument for more.

Stan Bowman's summer of standing pat and Readers' Mailbag - FOX Chicago News
The natives are restless in Chicago.

History Lessons: We Need a Montage! | Backhand Shelf
Take a trip back in time to 1960's hockey....

How Social Media Reporting Helps Our Executives, and How It Can Help Yours - BuzzMgr
In this guest post, the Director of Digital Media for the Tampa Bay Lightning talks about exactly what outlets like Twitter & Facebook do for the organization.

2012 NHL Free Agency: Winners & Losers in the Central Division

The latest OTF on YouTube (you are a subscriber, aren't you?) takes a look around the division...

So what do you think about how the various teams in the Central have done this summer?

St. Louis: Have re-signed most of their free agents, preparing for 1st full season under Ken Hitchcock.

Nashville: Re-signed Weber, Gill & Gaustad, but lost Suter & Tootoo (not to mention AK46 & Radulov).

Detroit: Lidstrom retired, Stuart & Hudler left as free agents, Tootoo & Samuelsson signed.

Chicago: Added Sheldon Brookbank as depth D, but haven't addressed major issues.

Columbus: Traded Rick Nash for two roster players and a young D, signed Adrian Aucoin from Phoenix.

Taken in total, I wonder if the division as a whole might take a bit of a dip next season?

Poll

Which team in the Central Division has had the best summer?

• Chicago
• Columbus
• Detroit
• Nashville
• St. Louis

  297 votes | Results

The consequences of the Shea Weber contract: Monday's notes

Today's hockey notes consider the broader impact of Shea Weber's contract on the future of the Nashville Predators, and the league at large. Will this usher in a new era for the Preds as a destination franchise for free agents?

That question, and a look back at Rick Nash's time in Columbus, follow after the jump...

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Nashville Predators News

Hockey Night in Nashville: Weber's long-term presence extends beyond his on-ice play
Does his new contract make Weber the iconic sports figure in Nashville? I wouldn't go that far yet, but it's a step in the right direction.

Boclair: Beating the system | Nashville City Paper
Weber's deal put a bow on the old CBA, but perhaps that won't work in the players' favor after all, if the owners point to it as an example of what must change.

The View from 111: Perceptions and Expectations
I wonder if expectations will indeed rise among the local fans.

Pressing issues keep NHL offseason busy – USATODAY.com
Kevin Allen sees the need for a veteran on the Nashville blueline. Just like the last couple years there will be talk of having the kids fill several key roles, but there's still plenty of time to bring in a more experienced hand.

Chet Pickard to the park? | HockeyExpressen.se
It sounds like Chet Pickard might take his talents to the Swedish Elite League. Djurgarden would represent a step up from Cincinnati, at least.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

61 Thoughts | BlueJackets Xtra
Aaron Portzline sums up the Rick Nash era in Columbus with a monster column reflecting on the big star's time with the Blue Jackets from beginning to end, including the highs and the lows.

Was Jordan Eberle’s success last season something of a mirage? | Edmonton Journal
This is one of the key questions in Edmonton, whether Eberle's season was a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come.

Forwards and NHLE - 2011 Draft | NHLNumbers.com
Preds prospects Josh Shalla and Chase Balisy show up well here, but apply a grain of salt due to the fact that they're a year older than most of the other guys.

2012 NHL Rumors: New York Rangers Are Interested In Joe Thornton? Probably not. - Blueshirt Banter
Yeah, I'm not buying this one, either.

Who is your #1 #2 in Nashville Predators history?

The 2012-2013 NHL season is still a long ways off, so to keep us occupied until then we're kicking off a new series of articles intending to stir conversation and bring back some memories of former Nashville Predators. We'll take a look at all the jersey numbers which have been worn by multiple players over the years, and ask you to decide who which has done each number the

Let's take a look at the contenders for our first number to consider, #2...

Looking for a Preds jersey? Ice Jerseys has a deal to save 10-30% on your order, but only until July 31!

Rob Zettler (1999)

Zettler had a long NHL career as a rugged defenseman, playing 569 games for 6 teams. Only two of those games came in a Nashville Predators jersey, however, after he was claimed from Toronto in the Preds' expansion draft in 1998. He spent most of the 1998-99 season with the IHL's Utah Grizzlies, but got called up for a couple contests with the Preds in February of '99, a pair of losses to Detroit and Pittsburgh. He recorded no points, 2 penalty minutes, and was a -2.

That summer he moved on to the Washington Capitals as a free agent, playing parts of three seasons before retiring. Just this month, he was hired as an assistant coach with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.

Dan Keczmer (1999-2000)

Another journeyman blueliner, Keczmer played 235 games over the course of 10 seasons for 5 different NHL teams. Late in the Predators inaugural season of 1998-99, Nashville claimed Keczmer off waivers from the Dallas Stars, suiting up for 16 games with the Preds down the stretch, and 24 the next season. On February 9, 2000, Keczmer was traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick, but Keczmer never played in the NHL again.

Through 40 games as a Predator, Keczmer recorded 5 assists, 40 penalty minutes, and a -5 rating.

In an interesting sidenote, back in 1991 he was traded by San Jose to Hartford for our new Milwaukee Admirals head coach, Dean Evason.

Dan Hamhuis (2004-2010)

A prototypical example of Nashville's reputation for drafting and developing quality defensemen, Hammer was a 1st-round pick (12th overall) in the 2001 NHL Draft. He played one more year of junior hockey and one in Milwaukee before making his NHL debut with an 80-game rookie season in 2003-4. During the lockout he went back to the AHL, but picked right up where he left up once NHL play resumed, solidifying his role as a Top 4 defender and versatile contributor on special teams.

After six seasons in Nashville, Hamhuis racked up 32 goals, 129 assists, 375 penalty minutes and a +3 rating. In the summer of 2010 he left the Preds as a free agent and signed with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. He turned off many fans here with some joking comments about attendance in Nashville, but he was always a positive influence in the community here.

Teemu Laakso (2012)

Laakso has worn a variety of numbers during occasional appearances in the NHL over the last three seasons, sporting #4 and #32 before switching things up last fall. Despite continued development in Milwaukee, he never could earn a regular job at the NHL level, and this summer took his game back across the water to the KHL.

In 9 games wearing the #2 in 2011-2012, Laakso tallied no points, 8 penalty minutes, and -1 rating.

So who gets your vote as Nashville's consummate #2?

Poll

Who is your favorite #2 in Nashville Predators history?

• Dan Hamhuis
• Dan Keczmer
• Teemu Laakso
• Rob Zettler

  326 votes | Results

Who is the greatest #3 in Nashville Predators history?

The initial installment of our jersey number series may have been a slam dunk, but things get much tougher today, as we consider the greatest players to wear the #3 in Nashville Predators history.

Follow after the jump for a list of candidates who combine toughness, skill, durability, and popularity, along with a double-dose of tragedy...

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Bill Houlder (2000)

With 846 career NHL games for 7 different franchises, Houlder is another one of those career journeymen who provided the foundation upon which a competitive team was built in Nashville in the early years. Claimed off waivers early in the 1999-2000 season, it looks like Houlder only wore the #3 for one game, his November 11 1999 debut with Nashville in which he played only 6:35. He missed almost a month after that game and came back wearing #23 afterward, so we'll get more into his time with the Preds later on in this series.

Karlis Skrastins (2000-2003)

The very model of a steady, dependable defenseman, Skrastins enjoyed a long productive career which began in Nashville as a 9th round draft pick in 1998. He still holds the franchise record for consecutive games played with 269, two spots ahead of Houlder's 245. After a two-game trial run with the Preds in the 1998-99 season, in which he wore #40, Skrastins bore the #3 for the rest of his time with Nashville, playing 305 games with that number and recording 13 goals, 40 assists, 130 penalty minutes and a -49 rating (not surprising during the early days of the team).

While known as a stout defensive presence, Skrastins holds the signature distinction of scoring the first 3-on-5 goal in Predators' history, coming on October 15, 2002 in a road game against the New York Islanders. While I can't find video of the goal, Pete Weber provided audio of his call (mp3).

Skrastins was one of the victims in last September's tragic KHL plane crash, at the age of 37.

Marek Zidlicky (2004-2008)

Zids was one of the most offensively talented blueliners in team history, but his giveaways earned the ire of many fans. He stands 4th on the franchise list in goals (35), assists (140) and points (175) among blueliners.

After the 2007-2008 season, he was traded to Minnesota in exchange for Ryan Jones and a 2nd-round draft pick in 2009 (Charles-Olivier Roussel). At the trading deadline last season we was sent to New Jersey, where he helped the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Wade Belak (2009-2011)

What can you say about Wade Belak? On the ice, he was the consummate enforcer (his 2009 fight with Donald Brashear is the stuff of legend), so his impact on wins & losses was undoubtedly less than the other members of this list. He was, however, one of the most popular players on the team, thanks to his infectious humor and outgoing manner.

His sudden, unexpected passing last summer rocked the team and the rest of the hockey world.

Like I said, this won't be an easy one to decide - who gets your nod as the greatest #3 in Nashville Predators history?

Poll

Who is your favorite #3 in Nashville Predators history?

• Wade Belak
• Bill Houlder
• Karlis Skrastins
• Marek Zidlicky

  62 votes | Results

Report says potential Coyotes owner still short on cash: Sunday's notes

Will the long saga of the Phoenix Coyotes ever come to a satisfying conclusion? Our around-the-league hockey notes begin today with news that Greg Jamison, the man trying to buy the Yotes from the NHL, still doesn't have all the money together to complete the deal.

Who knows, maybe if he's lucky he'll find a coupon in the Sunday paper...

Looking for a custom Preds jersey? Ice Jerseys has a deal to save 10-30% on your order, but only until July 31!

Nashville Predators News

Sunday AJenda | Tough Love for the Preds; Tough Luck for the Other Guys (Part 1 of 2) | Predators AJenda
AJ takes a long look at the events of this summer...

Sunday AJenda | Tough Love for the Preds; Tough Luck for the Other Guys (Part 2 of 2) | Predators AJenda
...and calls out Shea Weber's agents for the rather obvious drum-banging they did for Philadelphia.

Preds On The Glass: Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood do Disney
Buddy's on the entertainment news beat...

Checking In With Team President Jon Greenberg | Admirals Roundtable
Ryan interviews Milwaukee's top dog about the big moments from last season, and what lies ahead with new head coach Dean Evason.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Jamison $20M short in Coyotes bid, courting investors - Phoenix Business Journal
Maybe he can get Shane Doan to play for an IOU? Seriously, at what point can we say that things are looking grim?

Jessica Redfield's memory will live on forever - Denver Post
Adrian Dater was in San Antontio for the memorial service, and appreciates Jessica's life for making giving him a dose of perspective on what it means to work in sports journalism.

Forwards and NHLE - 2012 Draft | NHLNumbers.com
Take a look at how this summer's draftees would likely fare in a transition to the NHL.

Claude Julien Has Brought Stability and Success to Bruins With Longevity Rarely Seen in NHL - NESN.com
He's got a long way to go to catch up with his professed idols, Barry Trotz and Lindy Ruff, but Julien's gig in Boston is working out a lot better than his time in New Jersey.

Sales & Free Shipping get you & your gear ready for Hockey Season | Hockey Gear HQ
Whether you need to replace some equipment, or are interested in hockey training aids, this weekend's a great time to shop online.

Alexander Semin's style & substance polarizes critics: Saturday's notes

Settling in for a nice long weekend of watching the Olympics, are we? Well, that's no excuse for not keeping up with your hockey reading!

Our around-the-league notes start off with two interesting pieces about Alexander Semin, who recently signed a one-year, $7 million contract with Carolina. The Hurricanes appear to find great value in the Russian sniper, while his demeanor and playing style cause some commentators to label him as a "coach killer"...

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Nashville Predators News

The Hippodrome: Shea You, Shea Me. Shea It For Always. That's The Way It Should Be. | Pith in the Wind
J.R.'s weekly review is made all the more entertaining by a Charles Nelson Reilly appearance.

Smashville 24/7 - Smashville On The Glass podcast – Preds CEO Jeff Cogen featured
Ryan chats up the Preds' chief salesman.

Smashville 24/7 - Weber willing to take on role of ‘recruiter’
Anything to lure the college football fans, eh?

Calling for Back-up: The Predators Defensive Concerns | The Predatorial
Another vote is tallied for Carlo Colaiacovo. Just watch, now that I've had enough practice that I can spell his name correctly on the first try, he'll sign somewhere else.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Jim Rutherford "Analytics Show Semin A Different Player Than What Critics Think" - Canes Country
I would be very interested to see an analysis of exactly how persistent this notion of measuring performance in "pressure situations" is.

Holding Nash to the same standard as Semin | Backhand Shelf
I love this article, I really do. Good Canadian boys like Rick Nash are praised by all parties, while Alexander Semin catches every cheap shot in the book from TV analysts. But who has actually done more to help their team in recent years?

Down Goes Brown: Great Obscure Moments in Leafs History - That time Pat Quinn screwed up the lineup card during a playoff game
Just when you thought one of the funniest moments in NHL history couldn't be made any funnier...

Trending Topics: Let’s make offer sheets a regular thing | Puck Daddy
I'm totally down with this. I want owners & GM's to compete hard just like the players do.

NHL 13′s GM Connected mode to take your dynasty worldwide | Puck Daddy
More sneak previews of what NHL13 will bring to the table.

Apparently Scott Howson’s asking price for Rick Nash came down a touch this summer | Backhand Shelf
To dream... the impossible dream...

Claude Giroux points the finger at Sidney Crosby for causing his wrist injuries | Backhand Shelf
I can't stand hacks to the hands & wrists like that, Steve Sullivan used to drive me nuts the way he'd do that once he lost position defensively.

Ex-Avalanche Steve Moore's lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi delayed - Denver Post
Will this thing ever get to trial? Yeesh.

Fundraiser for Jack Jablonski brings out NHLers, raises over $120,000 | Puck Daddy
Encouraging stuff for the young paralyzed hockey player.

Sales & Free Shipping get you & your gear ready for Hockey Season | Hockey Gear HQ
Whether you need to replace some equipment, or are interested in hockey training aids, this weekend's a great time to shop online.