Black Friday's Dump & Chase: Dark Times for the NHL, Indeed

Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators decline to participate in labor talks - The Tennessean
The news here? Martin Erat's staying in Nashville rather than head overseas.

20 Questions with Mike Moore - JSOnline
Here's your chance to get to know the Admirals' captain a little better.

Geoffrion Releases Statement - Eyes On The Prize
Boomer has much to be thankful for, that's for sure.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

2012 Top Seven Gifts for the Hockey Lover in Your Life | Hockey Gal Milwaukee
Oh yeah, I'll take #7!

The Hockey Players' Guide to Black Friday 2012 - Hockey Gear HQ
Avoid the Black Friday 2012 madness at retail stores, and do your shopping online - there are some incredible deals on all kinds of hockey equipment!

NHL lockout: Owners shouldn’t underestimate the Fehr factor - The Washington Post
Some insight from a baseball scribe on how Don Fehr leads a union into battle.

Kypreos on NHLPA: Is decertification next? - sportsnet.ca
The players have their ace in the hole, and that's to threaten to throw the entire situation into a sea of chaos by ditching their union, something discussed here a couple months ago.

Larry Brooks: NHL dismissal of players’ compromise offer unites players behind distaste for commissioner Gary Bettman’s insinuation players are unwilling to bargain seriously - NYPOST.com
The players are considering decertification in part because of the league's out-of-hand rejection of their proposals.

McKenzie: Three CBA-related issues to be talked about soon - TSN
Bob McKenzie talks through some of the mechanics of decertification.

Players' Association Nov. 21 proposal to the owners - Lightning Strikes | Tampa Bay Times
Here's a detailed review of what the NHLPA put on the table earlier this week.

Hamrlik: "We Have to Push Fehr to the Wall to Get the Deal" - Japers' Rink
For all the players sounding off on Twitter over the last few months, it's interesting to hear a dissenting voice.

Hockey at the Movies: The Ultimate Fictional Hockey Team : The Hockey Writers
Since this is the only kind of hockey many of us are likely to see these days...

Wednesday's Dump & Chase: Back at the Table Again

Nashville Predators News

The View from 111: Even Without Hockey, Predators Keep Making an Impact
Mark celebrates the way the Preds have kept busy during the lockout.

Economics professor sees framework of deal | The Tennessean
Vanderbilt's John Vrooman drops a little supply & demand on you.

PuckCast Episode 13: Chris Mueller | PuckScene.com
Patten chats up his first NHL player podcast guest.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL players' next move is crucial | Hockey | CBC Sports
Today could prove to be a pivotal one in the CBA negotiations, as the league asked the players to submit a comprehensive proposal, rather than focus on a few specific items.

Mirtle: A closer look at the NHLPA's last offer – and what may be next - The Globe and Mail
James Mirtle gives us a peek at what might be on the table today.

NHL lockout: NHLPA, league finding common ground - thestar.com
Accentuate the positive, right?

NHL games too expensive for Canadians - sportsnet.ca
This is, in part, why Toronto could use a second team.

Down Goes Brown: A moment with the guy who has to answer the phone when Gary Bettman orders a pizza
So, so true!

Book Excerpt: Best of Down Goes Brown – A complete transcript of every postgame call-in show ever | Backhand Shelf
A double-dose of DGB this morning? Yes, please!

Building a NHL Fantasy Predictor: Do NHL Coaches Have Zone Start Trends? | NHLNumbers.com
A good look at just why Vancouver bears watching whenever fantasy hockey season starts.

Phoenix Coyotes Lease: A Vote Is Certain Even If Outcome Is Not - Five For Howling
Hey, at least our comrades in Phoenix still have plenty to write about!

Tuesday's Dump & Chase: Mike Fisher Picks Up an Assist

Nashville Predators News

In case you didn't catch Sunday night's American Music Awards, we can at least rest assured that Mike Fisher still has soft hands. Check out how smoothly he takes this pass from Carrie Underwood (then thinks about setting that purse on her chair... but nah):

via CJ Fogler on Twitter

Beck recovering for Admirals - Predators Insider
Josh Cooper gets the scoop on Taylor Beck, after he took a nasty spill into the boards Friday night.

Last night, Mitch Korn held a goaltending seminar at Bridgestone Arena, and Cooper shared some video:

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Little Progress as N.H.L. Labor Talks Resume in New York - NYTimes.com
No surprise here...

Exclusive: NHL commissioner discusses lockout issues - Winnipeg Free Press
Behold Gary Bettman, in all his frustrating reluctance to answer questions as asked.

30 Thoughts: Season of growing discontent | Hockey | CBC Sports
The prospect of Sidney Crosby heading over to the KHL shows up in Elliotte Friedman's weekly column.

A Corsi-centric discussion on advanced stats | Backhand Shelf

Are we approaching a time when Corsi isn't considered exotic anymore?

If you can play, you can play | mc79hockey.com

The notion that defensemen often take time to mature is accepted wisdom, but does it really hold up under scrutiny? Perhaps the answer lies in looking at how ice time varies by player age & position (i.e., do forwards get major ice time earlier than D).

Monday's Dump & Chase: NHL CBA Talks to Resume

Nashville Predators News

Preds' goalie coach offers tips to area players, coaches | The Greenville News
Local goaltenders can join Mitch Korn for an evening of 'tender talk tonight at Bridgestone Arena.

Goals for Dreams Highlights | Illegal Curve Hockey
Check out a few of the sights as Shea Weber & Chris Mason participated in a charity game in Winnipeg over the weekend. Audio of an interview with The Captain is included here.

Oklahoma trip can’t end sooner | Admirals Roundtable

It was a rough weekend for the Admirals against Edmonton's farm club.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Where the sides stand as NHL talks resume Monday - USA Today
Kevin Allen provides a handy overview to set up this week's events.

Shannon on NHL: Little optimism for Monday - sportsnet.ca
John Shannon looks around for reason to hope, but doesn't find much.

Larry Brooks’ Slap Shots: NHL Players Association rejects decertification option floated by Don Fehr, NHLPA executive director - NYPOST.com
It looks like the idea of dumping their union has been discussed among the players, something we discussed here a couple months ago.

NHL Lockout: The plight of the fourth-liner paycheck - Puck Drunk Love
Not good enough to earn a job overseas, too old for the AHL, and without millions of previous earnings to get by with. There's a pretty hefty portion of the NHLPA facing financial difficulty during the lockout.

Saturday's Dump & Chase: Can Bubba Save Hockey?

Nashville Predators News

Without Predators on ice, Nashville bars, hotels fear a long winter - Nashville Business Journal
The businesses downtown are starting to feel the impact of this lockout. I know I almost never make the trip into Nashville unless it's for a Preds game.

Also, the Preds have posted their video of Tuesday's night's Smashmob event:

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Is Flyers' Snider helping thaw NHL talks? - Philly.com
There's a lot of speculation in here, the most interesting of which would have a former U.S. President mediate the CBA negotiations.

NHL Lockout: Why do billionaires keep buying teams that lose money? | Edmonton Journal
An outstanding example here of why I have a hard time believing NHL teams when they claim to be losing money.

Charts obtained by Star Tribune show how far apart NHL believes it is from NHLPA | StarTribune.com
According to this report, the players are still asking for a guaranteed amount of money ($1.9 billion) this season, despite the prospect of a shortened season. No wonder this is going nowhere.

NHL fan writes Donald Fehr letter; Donald Fehr wrote him back | Puck Daddy
Marginally more effective than an angry blog comment, perhaps?

How to Give Up | Backhand Shelf
A sobering link between Blake Geoffrion and his great-grandfather is made here.

Selanne Likely To Retire If Season Is Cancelled - Anaheim Calling
How many other prominent graybeards might do the same?

Players vs. Police for Winnipeg Charity- NHLPA
Shea Weber & Chris Mason will represent the Preds in a charity game.

Friday's Dump & Chase: NHL CBA Talks Going Nowhere, Fast

Nashville Predators News

Blake Geoffrion out of hospital | Hockey Inside/Out
Outstanding news for Boomer, who still faces a long recovery.

STU GRIMSON ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF THE NASHVILLE JR. PREDATORS
There's no word on how badly he beat the other candidates, literally or figuratively.

Rec League Memories: Playing Against Coach Trotz and Lambert | The Predatorial
That's the cool thing about playing in the beer leagues in Nashville. It's a small hockey world...

There's also this good news for the Preds on the regional Emmy front:

#Preds broadcast dept with 2 Emmy nominations tonight- our playoff broadcast vs Det and Gold Record, our hockey history doc. Congrats to all

— Mitch Jordan (@skyking626) November 16, 2012

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

The Big Post About Why Europe’s Sport Structure Is Better Than Ours | mc79hockey.com
Tyler goes a'windmill tilting, and it's a fun ride. Read this and think about the struggles of the Nashville Sounds to maintain relevance on the local sports scene, for example.

NHL asks for 2-week break in lockout talks; Daly: ‘Union leadership has no genuine interest in agreement’ | Puck Daddy
Ridiculous, simply ridiculous.

NHL's Bill Daly: "Maybe they should get a reality check" | StarTribune.com
Well, they certainly aren't getting a paycheck... zing!

Will President Obama intervene in NHL lockout? Hockey fan petitions the White House | Puck Daddy
Hey, it's no more stupid than those secessionist petitions.

10 tips for restaurant dining with teams or first, you confiscate the salt shakers - The Trophy Mom
Wise words for any sporting parent!

Could College Hockey Expand Through Atlantic Hockey Association? | The United States of Hockey
Alabama-Huntsville continues to wander the hockey wilderness, looking for a conference to call home.

Thursday's Dump & Chase: Kevin Klein Heading to Denmark

Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators' Kevin Klein signs with Danish team | The Tennessean
Just don't eat too many Danishes while over there, Kleiner.

2012 NATD Honors | View photo - Yahoo!
Again, can someone explain this picture to me? Why was Mike Fisher honored by the Nashville Association of Talent Directors?

Blake Geoffrion injury: Medical expert explains scary skull fracture - SBNation.com
Our resident medical guru walks through the nuts, bolts, and titanium plates of Boomer's skull fracture.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Let's start off with the cheery stuff first:

Source: if there isn't a deal in place in next 7days, NHL will cancel games thru Dec. 15. Next cancellation could be the season.

— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) November 15, 2012

Former players questioning NHLPA’s direction: Cox - thestar.com
Some want former players to quiet down, but there is a valid question of what the NHLPA's gameplan is for a protracted shutdown.

Renowned mediator wants crack at talks - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN
Nice idea, but fat chance of that happening.

2012 NHL Lockout: How The Lockout & Twitter Ruined My Life - Defending Big D
Brandon does a nice job capturing the bloggers' state of mind these days, which ain't good.

NHL Lockout: Three Reasons Why The NHLPA Should Jump At Two-Year Entry Level Deals | Edmonton Journal
Interesting points, but Jonathan's head is in the clouds here. Current members of the NHLPA won't be affected by an change in entry-level contracts, so I doubt it's a huge deal to them.

Brian Burke has some thoughts on sports management | Backhand Shelf
Where there's an open microphone, Burke can be found. Hey, he's always entertaining.

The First Draft of Gary Bettman's Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Speech - Grantland
Yup, DGB nails it again.

Reference library: Variance and regression | NHLNumbers.com
The first entry under "Team Performance" will bear watching here in Nashville, if the NHL ever decides to play again. The Preds ranked #1 in PP performance thanks to an outlandish shooting percentage...

Track the Ducks and other NHL Players During the Lockout With Our Interactive Map - Anaheim Calling
Whoa, this is cool.

Screengrab Snafu: Fun with the David Petraeus scandal - Awful Announcing
When a blogger grabs a photo off of Google Images in violation of copyright, the damage is relatively minor. But when someone in the local TV newsroom does the same thing, the consequences of a misstep can be much, much more visible.

And to hold you over a little bit, you can at least catch some Predators action in the latest KHL highlights: