Who is the Greatest #22 in Nashville Predators history?

Today's entry makes for an interesting debate - we have the first captain to lead the Nashville Predators to the Stanley Cup playoffs, against perhaps the most popular player in team history, who recently left town to join the Preds' arch-rival in Detroit...

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Greg Johnson

Part of the Preds' haul in the 1998 Expansion Draft, Johnson put up his best offensive totals during that 1998-1999 run, hitting the 50-point mark for the only time in his career as a speedy, defensively responsible center who exemplified the spirit of "Predators hockey". In the fall of 2002, he took over the captaincy from Tom Fitzgerald and led the team to three consecutive seasons of franchise growth, which included the Predators' first-ever playoff berth in 2004. Coming out of the Great Lockout of 2004-2005, he then led Nashville to its first 100-point season and another playoff spot during the 2005-2006 season.

A heart condition caused him to retire from playing in September 2006, however, as he was about to suit up for Detroit, the team with which he started his career. With the Predators, he still ranks 5th in Games Played (502), 9th in Assists (145), 8th in Total Points (238) and still leads the franchise with 11 Shorthanded Goals, one ahead of David Legwand.

Jordin Tootoo

If you're not familiar with Tootoo's story, I'd wonder what the heck you're doing here. The first player of Inuit descent to play in the National Hockey League, Tootoo made the transition from junior hockey to the NHL back in 2003 and endeared himself to fans with his energetic physical game and willingness to scrap with anybody. The sound of Tootoo Whistles whenever he hit the ice served as just one sign of his popularity among the fan base.

After wearing #55 and #14 early on, he switched to #22 for the 2006-2007 season. Over the last few years, he started to contribute more offensively and hinted at the potential to make an impact in a larger role, but injuries and inconsistency dogged his play. Following a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse program in 2010-2011, he put together his best offensive totals last season with six goals and 24 assists, before leaving as a free agent to join the Red Wings.

He leaves Nashville ranked 7th in Games Played (486), and 1st in Penalty Minutes (725).

Poll

Who is the Greatest #22 in Nashville Predators history?

• Greg Johnson
• Jordin Tootoo

  649 votes | Results

Town Hall strikes positive notes: Tuesday's notes

Last night's Town Hall meeting provided another chance for the Nashville Predators to lay out their vision for the upcoming season, both in terms of the on-ice product and everything which surrounds it at Bridgestone Arena. Things sure have come a long way since 2007, when we didn't know whether the team would even stay here, haven't they?

For an organization whose vision is to become the top entertainment venue in the country, centered on a Stanley Cup-winning hockey team, the fact that they've been in the Top 8 on both of those counts (6th-busiest venue, final 8 in the playoffs) for two straight years certainly makes a strong argument that they're headed in the right direction.

Now if only we can make sure the 2012-2013 season starts on time, to keep things moving forward...

Best of Nashville 2012 - The Nashville Scene

This year they have a reader poll for "Best Sports Blog". Can you help us defend our title from 2011? Vote daily!

Nashville Predators News

The View from 111: Predators Skate of the Union
Mark shares the highlights from last night's event...

Smashville 24/7 - Fisher, others offer thoughts on CBA
... while Ryan sums up the commentary on the labor situation.

Kevin Klein loves Nashville; expects to discuss new contract soon - Nashville Predators Examiner
With one year left at $1.35 million, Kleiner's due for a raise.

Monday Night Forehand 08/20 by HasBeenSports | Blog Talk Radio
Congratulations to the crew here, who are joining 102.5 The Game as they add another local podcast to their lineup.

The Predators Defense gets an Extreme Makeover - The Hockey Writers
Much depends on how Roman Josi develops in Year Two.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL searches for standards on hooking, holding and interference penalties - The Globe and Mail
So this is why Barry Trotz couldn't attend last night's Town Hall. He's part of a workshop examining officiating standards.

8 Points To A Compromise: A New Model For The NHL's CBA - SBNation.com
Mike Chen attempts to find a solution which works for the owners and players.

When Gary Bettman promised lower tickets prices, and the lockout failed to deliver | Puck Daddy
A nice breakdown of a point which continues to get brought up from time to time.

NHL Stickhandles through a new media world - The Globe and Mail
The noise on Twitter serves to distract more than enlighten all too often. Seriously, why is anyone giving the Insiderr bozo any more ink? JUST STOP, PEOPLE.

1907 Stanley Cup Championship banner stolen in Kenora, Ont. - The Globe and Mail
Booooo...

No monetary damages for Ducks GM Bob Murray in chair-tossing trial, despite jurors’ desires | Puck Daddy
Anaheim GM ducks the damages, apparently due to a goof by the plaintiff's lawyers.

The Dallas Stars and the semi-shady dealings of auctioning off the role of "team doctor" | Backhand Shelf
Is it valid to worry about getting the absolute best care when a team's relationship with their medical provider involves advertising as well?

Scott Hartnell signs six-year contract extension with Flyers - Broad Street Hockey
Philadelphia inks another long-term contract, even while owner Ed Snider is part of the drive to enact strict limits on such things.

The importance of player unions | Backhand Shelf
Should junior players unionize? Now there's an interesting thought.

Who is the Greatest #21 in Nashville Predators history?

We are now moving on to #21 in our jersey series. Two candidates will forever be remembered by the Predators' faithful, while two will be more remembered for having their teammate's backs at every turn.

Tom Fitzgerald

After two successful runs to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Florida Panthers in 1996 and Colorado Avalanche in 1998, Fitzgerald joined the expansion Predators before the commencement of their inaugural season and named the veteran winger their first captain. A leader and penalty killer for the Predators, Fitzgerald recorded 32 goals and 88 points in four seasons, though he had incurred a horrendous -45 +/- rating during this time period. Due to his declining play during his last season with the Preds, Fitzgerald was dealt in the latter half of the 01-02 season to the Chicago Blackhawks for a fourth-round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Andreas Johansson

An alum of seven NHL teams, Johansson left his mark on the Predators after being signed as free agent at the beginning of the 02-03 season. The Hofors, Sweden native had prolific first year in Music City, leading the team in goals scored (20) and shooting percentage (16.1 %). During his two seasons with Preds, Johansson scored a total of 32 goals and 64 points. He became a free agent after the 03-04 season and returned to the Swiss National League for the lockout season, though he would never end up making his way back to NHL for the remainder of his professional career.

Peter Forsberg

Arguably one of the most hyped-up trades at the Trade Deadline in recent NHL history, Forsberg was traded in 2007 to the Preds from the Philadelphia Flyers for Ryan Parent, Scottie Upshall, a first-round pick and third-round draft pick in the 2007 Entry Draft. This was the first time in the history of the fledgling franchise that the Preds made a move for such a high-profile player as Forsberg. Unfortunately, the Preds received him in the latter part of his career, and the center who had won two Stanley Cups on top of the Hart and Art Ross Trophies did not necessarily have the impact that Preds fans and upper management had counted on. That year, the Predators were beat in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks.

Nevertheless, Forsberg's numbers were still fairly impressive, considering his age and the amount of games he played with the team. In only 17 games with the Preds in the regular season, he amassed 2 goals and 15 points, and in the playoffs, he managed 2 goals and 4 points. During the offseason, Forsberg underwent foot surgery and became a free agent, eventually being resigned by the team for whom he won two Stanley Cups, the Colorado Avalanche.

Triston Grant

Grant was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers along with a seventh-round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft for defenseman Janne Niskala on June 24, 2008. He played 3 games with the Preds, sat in the penalty box for 9 minutes, and was thereafter reassigned to the Admirals for the remainder of the season. In 74 games with the Ads, Grant scored 12 goals and 25 points. He did not fail to maintain his tradition of sitting in the box, accumulating 236 in that time span. He became a free agent in the offseason and was eventually picked up by the Rochester Americans, farm team of the Buffalo Sabres.

Zack Stortini

Contrary to popular belief, Stortini has once crossed paths with the Predators organization, seven years ago. In the 05-06 season, he played 37 games with Milwaukee, tallying seven assists before being sent to the Edmonton Oilers organization the following season. Five years later, the Predators signed him to one-year, two-way contract. Shortly after the beginning of the season, Stortini was placed on waivers by the Preds, but he was eventually reassigned to Milwaukee. This past year, Stortini had a sub-par season, amassing 9 goals and 15 points, though he did rake in 146 PIM.

Poll

Who is the Greatest #21 in Nashville Predators history?

• Tom Fitzgerald
• Peter Forsberg
• Triston Grant
• Andreas Johansson
• Zack Stortini

  404 votes | Results

Nashville Predators & Cromwell Group extend radio agreement for 5 years

Here's one bit of news which I can expect you'll hear more about at tonight's Town Hall meeting - the Nashville Predators have extended their radio agreement with the Cromwell Group (proprietors of 102.5 The Game) for five years. In addition, it sounds like you'll be hearing a lot more of Stu Grimson as a color commentator on the radio broadcasts, as he moves into a full-time role.

Last year around this time the team and Cromwell trumpeted a "multi-year extension", but this apparently gives us a more definite timeline. The team's press release follows after the jump...

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The Nashville Predators and the Cromwell Group, Inc. today announced a new five-year extension, keeping all Nashville Predators broadcasts on their flagship station, 102.5 The Game, through the 2016-17 season. The Cromwell Group/102.5 The Game has been the home of the Nashville Predators since 2010.

Game broadcasts include a 30-minute pregame show, intermission reports and an hour-long postgame show hosted by Willy Daunic. All postgame shows following home games originate from Bridgestone Arena's Patrón Platinum Club and are open to all ticketed fans in attendance. In addition to game broadcasts, 102.5 The Game will also host significant Predators shoulder programming including player radio shows, Coffee with the Coach, Extra Crispy and much more.

"We are thrilled to have signed this five-year extension with the Nashville Predators," 102.5 The Game Station Manager Jeff Kolb said. "The Predators organization is first class and to have our team, a perennial Stanley Cup playoff contender, locked in long term is a big deal for us as we build Nashville's premiere sports station."

"102.5 The Game has been a fantastic partner and a great ambassador for hockey in Middle Tennessee," Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. "Their dedicated broadcasts and shoulder programming keep the Predators on the airwaves and on people's minds on a consistent basis. We are thrilled to be extending our strong partnership with Cromwell and look forward to an even more exciting partnership in the future."

Former Preds enforcer Stu Grimson rejoins the broadcast team as the radio Color Analyst, joining radio play-by-play announcer Tom Callahan. This will be Grimson's first full-time season as a member of the Preds broadcast team. He and Callahan will call the radio action for every Nashville Predators game.

"Stu is a tremendous addition to our broadcast team," Predators Senior Director of Broadcasting Bob Kohl said. "As a former player, Stu has the ability to uniquely combine expert analysis and terrific insight with his engaging personality. His style is a perfect complement to partner Tom Callahan's sharp play-by-play. This team is yet another great addition to Nashville's thriving hockey culture."

Cromwell Group, Inc. affiliate WYCQ, Inc owns three stations in WPRT 102.5 The Game, 102.9 WBUZ The Buzz and WQZQ 102.1 The Light. This season, 102.5 The Game will carry select preseason, all regular season and postseason Predators games. This marks the third consecutive season that all Predators regular season and playoff contests will be aired on the same station.

Several regional affiliates complete the broadcast radio network of the Nashville Predators during the hockey season, as games are broadcast throughout the state of Tennessee, as well as parts of Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia. In all, the Predators radio network covers more than 50,000 sq. miles. These affiliates are as follows:

WPTN Cookeville, TN 106.1FM

WMSR Manchester, TN 1320AM

WHOP Hopkinsville, KY 1230AM/95.3FM

WCDS Glasgow, KY 1230AM

WAKI McMinnville, TN 1230AM

WBGN Bowling Green, KY 1340AM

WMLR Hohenwald, TN 1230AM

WMRB Columbia, TN 98.5FM/910AM

WKRO Paducah, KY 1490AM

WNTC Drakesboro, KY 103.9FM

WALV Chattanooga, TN 105.1FM

WLME Lewisport, KY 102.7FM

WWIC Scottsboro, AL 1050AM

Carrie Underwood's husband signs contract extension with Nashville Predators

A nice bit of news comes today at the Town Hall as the Nashville Predators have locked up center Mike Fisher for 2 more years for a total of $8.4 million. Together with the year remaining on his current deal, this keeps Fisher with Nashville through 2014-2015. The guy has fit like a glove with this team since coming over from Ottawa in a February 2011 trade, and serves well both as an on- and off-ice leader for the Preds.

---

Mike Fisher

#12 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 208

Born: Jun 05, 1980

---

The Preds issued the following:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Mike Fisher to a two-year, $8.4 million contract that will pay him $4.2 million in both 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Fisher, 32 (6/5/80), ranked second on the Predators in goals (24) and third in points (51) in 2011-12, in addition to ranking 11th in the NHL in game-winning goals (7). His offensive numbers - coupled with his solid defensive play (he posted a +11 and tied for eighth among NHL forwards in blocked shots with 76) - earned him the seventh-most votes for the Selke Trophy. The Peterborough, Ont., native also became the franchise's second-ever award winner as the recipient of the 2012 NHL Foundation Award, which recognizes a player who applies the core values of hockey - commitment, perseverance and teamwork - to enrich the lives of people in his community. In 774 career regular-season NHL games with Ottawa and Nashville since 1999, Fisher has amassed 411 points (196g-215a). In 97 playoff contests, he has 39 points (18g-21a) and advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.

Ottawa's second selection, 44th overall (second round), in the 1998 Entry Draft was acquired by the Predators on Feb. 10, 2011 and proceeded to pace the club in points (3g-3a-6pts) during the franchise's first-ever series victory over Anaheim in the 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals. He has twice represented Canada at the World Championships (2005 and 2009), earning a silver medal on both occasions.

The dynamic to watch over the next few seasons is to what extent any of the young centers can work their way past Fisher and David Legwand into leading roles on the team. Do you think Nick Spaling, Craig Smith, or Colin Wilson can take that step this season?

What can be done to improve Nashville Predators TV ratings?

Clay Travis of 104.5's 3HL got Nashville Predators fans stirred up this morning with an observation tied to Goodlettsville's outstanding run so far at the Little League World Series:

Goodlettsville's LLWS game yesterday does a 5.9 in Nashville. Higher rating than any Predators game in 14 years. Really.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) August 20, 2012

This, of course, elicited a spirited response from many Preds fans, which allowed Travis to reply with this:

I need to start doing a column with Pred fan excuses for why no one watches the Preds on TV. Even Bama fans think logic is worthless.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) August 20, 2012

But my thinking is, rather than complain about Travis kicking hockey fans around, why not ask what can possibly be done to improve the team's local TV ratings? We all know that some ideas may be impractical, but let's get 'em out there at least. Here are a few which occurred to me:

1. Get all games on a single channel, no more bouncing around from Fox Sports Tennessee to SportSouth (and alternates)
2. Even better, partner with a local station (i.e. 2, 4, 7, 17) as Kevin Ingram suggested on Twitter.
3. What's Heather Locklear doing these days? She sure seemed to boost ratings for every show she joined.

Seriously, rather than moan & groan about perceptions, what constructive ideas can people come up with to improve ratings? We all know that establishing a culture which tunes into hockey on a regular basis is a long-term challenge in the South, and it seems like things are headed in the right direction, but how can the team build upon that momentum?

Nashville's next great agitator? Sunday's notes

It's a lazy Sunday in middle of August, so the hockey notes are few and far between this morning! We start off with a good one, though, a bit of advanced scouting for a Nashville Predators prospect who you're probably not very familiar with...

Best of Nashville 2012 - The Nashville Scene

This year they have a reader poll for "Best Sports Blog". Can you help us defend our title from 2011? Vote daily!

Nashville Predators News

Coming Down the Pipe!: One To Watch: Nashville Predators
Guy Flaming predicts that Brendan Leipsic, drafted in the 3rd round by Nashville this summer, will develop into a crowd favorite.

Nashville Predators remain close to Central Division rivals | The Tennessean

Thanks to the Red Wings' summer of swing & miss, the Preds haven't lost much ground. St. Louis remains the favorite, though.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Lubomir Visnovsky escapes serious injury after crashing Ferrari during race in Slovakia | Puck Daddy
Whoopsie.

Melky Cabrera Cooked Up A Phony Website To Try To Beat His Suspension - Deadspin
Not hockey-related, but hilarious nonetheless.