Who is the Greatest #26 in Nashville Predators history?

Sometimes speed and tenaciousness can overcome size and strength, and I have a sneaking suspicion that will prove to be the case with our latest poll, in which a whirling dervish of a scorer is likely to stand tall over three hulking bangers...

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Phil Crowe

A big lug of a winger (6'2", 230 lbs), Crowe played 4 games for the Predators during the 1999-2000 season, recording no points but fighting Vancouver's Donald Brashear twice in the same game on November 20, 1999.

Bubba Berenzweig

A candidate for Most Appropriate Name in Nashville Predators history (alongside Vern Fiddler), Berenzweig was a popular, if little-used defenseman in the early days of the franchise. He played only 37 games over the course of four seasons at the NHL level (1999-2000 through 2002-2003), spending the rest of the time with the Milwaukee Admirals.

His most productive stretch came in 2001-2002, when, in 26 games, he scored 3 goals and added 7 assists.

Wade Brookbank

Brookbank began his career as a Nashville Predator, suiting up for nine (scoreless) games at the start of the 2003-2004 season before being traded to Vancouver on December 17, 2003 for "future considerations".

Steve Sullivan

The first player in Preds history to take home a trophy from the NHL Awards (winning the Masterton in 2009), Sully's time in Nashville was highly dramatic from start to finish. From the hat trick he recorded in his first game as a Predator (February 18, 2004 after his trade from Chicago) to the dazzling goal he scored in the 2011 playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks, Sullivan was always one of the most dynamic players on the ice.

Perhaps the most dramatic story in Sullivan's career came in that gap from 2007-2009, when he lost almost two full calendar years due to back trouble. For a long time it looked like his career was done, but when he returned to action in January 2009, it provided a shot in the arm for a team that needed his offensive skills. Up until his January 10 debut, the Preds averaged 2.45 goals per game. From there on out that season, they averaged 2.71.

In 317 career games for Nashville, Sully ended up with 100 goals and 163 assists, leaving him high on the Preds' franchise lists for goals (4th). assists (7th), and total points (5th) all-time.

Poll

Who is the Greatest #26 in Nashville Predators history?

• Bubba Berenzweig
• Wade Brookbank
• Phil Crowe
• Steve Sullivan

  290 votes | Results

NHL Lockout nearing a certainty as players & owners call off talks

SB Nation -- 15 days before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, talks have broken off between the NHL and NHLPA while optimism has been thrown out the window.

"At this point, talks are off," NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said at NHL headquarters in Manhattan Friday after a meeting that lasted approximately 90 minutes. He noted that it was the owners who opted to call off talks and that the players are ready to resume at any time. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called that claim inaccurate.

The union made a counter-proposal Friday based on a proposal submitted by the league earlier in the week, and cautious optimism had filtered through the hockey world due to the simple fact that the two sides were at least discussing the same proposal.

But Friday's news seemingly brings us back to square one: The owners want more money -- whether that's from a direct roll back in salaries or increased escrow -- and the players do not want to give it to them. The players are sticking by their initial CBA proposal, one from which the league is not prepared to work, saying that the players are not willing to budge on the "core financials."

Fehr: players are not prepared to see a reduction in their salaries.

— Steve Lepore (@stevelepore) August 31, 2012

Fehr: if players are not prepared to take "meaningful reduction" than owners see no point in discussing or responding to NHLPA proposal.

— Steve Lepore (@stevelepore) August 31, 2012

The NHLPA's initial offer two weeks ago called for a reduction in player salaries for the next three seasons after which the deal would "snap back" to again give the players a 57 percent share of hockey-related revenue, the same terms under the current CBA. Fehr called the give back in the first three years meaningful, but Bettman called the fourth year a non-starter.

Bettman says salaries snapping back to 57% in the 4th year "isn't acceptable".

— Steve Lepore (@stevelepore) August 31, 2012

The PA's initial proposal also called for greater revenue sharing -- the NHLPA believes that larger-market teams should spread wealth around to smaller-market teams, and he praised the idea of an "industry growth fund" similar to one he negotiated as head of the MLB Players' Association that would help struggling clubs.

The owners want a longer-term deal, and Bettman cited the 10-year agreements reached in both the NBA and the NFL a summer ago. The players disagree, citing an uncertain economic future and high player turnover rates as reasons to stick to a three or four year agreement.

All in all, it seems as though the two sides are back to the beginning and no real progress has been made.

We'll always have hockey: Saturday's notes

Perhaps it's best for this Labor Day weekend to tune out the NHL and all the CBA news, and think instead about the game of hockey at others levels. Our notes today jump from rec leagues, to the 2014 Winter Olympics, and then to the streets of Mexico - how's that for a whirlwind tour?

Join us Tuesday, September 4 at Sam's Sports Grill for the OTF Meetup!

Nashville Predators News

Predators to open new suite for small groups - Nashville Business Journal
It looks like the Preds are moving forward with the idea of mini-suite packages for 2, 4 or 6 people, an idea they tried to push forward three years ago.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Black Dog Hates Skunks: Hockey Who?
A nice bit of perspective here, which makes me feel awful about not being signed up to play with a rec league team this fall.

Ancient Mexican fire hockey is like road hockey, except the ball is on fire (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
Well, this is cool.

The Dark Blue Jacket: Ground Floor: The 2012-13 Columbus Blue Jackets
Now this would be a fantastic marketing slogan.

Blinded by a number: Why Jordan Eberle’s numbers won’t go into free-fall | Backhand Shelf
Justin's buying long on Eberle.

Latest Look at Hockey Facilities for Sochi 2014 | The United States of Hockey
These are some seriously cool-looking buildings.

Labor Day sales mean huge hockey equipment savings | Hockey Gear HQ
This is your chance to start hockey season with new skates or a new stick to help you get the jump on your competition! And yes, goalies can save, too...

Oh yeah, and Go Blue!

NHL CBA dance continues with players' response: Friday's notes

The back-and-forth between the NHL's owners and players continues this afternoon when the players bring forth their latest proposal, in response to one put forth by the league earlier this week. At issue is pretty much everything on the economic side of things. How hockey-related revenue is defined, and then how it would be split up between the owners & players, and between the teams themselves via revenue sharing.

We're down to 15 days left under the current CBA... are you getting nervous yet? Our morning hockey notes include updates from those talks, and a birthday celebration for one of the game's all-time greats.

Join us Tuesday, September 4 at Sam's Sports Grill for the OTF Meetup!

Nashville Predators News

Smartest Spenders in Sports - Businessweek
The Preds placed 9th in the NHL (and 32nd across all teams across MLB, NFL, NBA and hockey) in this measure, which gives added weight to playoff success.

Line Combinations | Admirals Roundtable
Ryan wonders how the lines will shake out, if guys like Craig Smith and Gabby Bourque start the season in Milwaukee thanks to a lockout.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL proposals to change revenue formula would be significant - CBC Sports
When does 50/50 really mean 54/46 for the owners?

NHLPA response to CBA proposal key to lockout, more NHL news - Allan Muir - SI.com
Gary Bettman used the word "entitlement" to describe the NHLPA's desire to maintain something close to 57% of hockey-related revenues, a pretty naked attempt to stir things up.

Canadiens icon Jean Béliveau returning to fighting form - Montreal Gazette
Happy 81st Birthday wishes go out to Le Gros Bill, who survived a serious health scare earlier this year. I still say the league should rename the Lady Byng Trophy in Jean Beliveau's honor.

Oilers and Eberle Agree to a Six-Year Extension - The Copper & Blue
This will prove an interesting test case for the stats cognoscenti. Eberle looks like a guy who the hockey gods smiled upon last season, and may not be the 80-point player that many hope he is.

Pens Re-Sign Eric Tangradi, Robert Bortuzzo and Alex Grant...UPDATE: Brian Strait too - PensBurgh
A busy day for Ray Shero in Pittsburgh.

What’s going to happen to Brian Elliott next season? | Backhand Shelf
Falling back to Earth could make for an awful mess.

Behold! Roman Amphitheatre begins transforming into hockey rink | Puck Daddy
Sweet!

The Evolution of the Hockey Video Game | The Hockey Writers
Calling "Pong" hockey is a bit of a reach, but for me hockey video games started with Intellivision. Then, when it came time to buy a computer before I headed off to college, one of the main reasons I went with an Amiga 500 was because of a rather awesome hockey game on there. And of course the NHL series on Sega Genesis is why it took me 10 years to get through college...

Fair-weather fans, gym flirting etiquette, the NHL lockout nightmare, and more in this week's Bake Shop mailbag - Grantland
Some handy advice here on how to cope with a work stoppage.

Winners, losers in NBC Sports 2012-13 NHL TV schedule | Puck Daddy
The Nashville Predators' presence on NBC Sports will grow by 50%!!! Assuming, of course, that the season starts on time.

The Neuvirth Translation: Verification and Attribution - Russian Machine Never Breaks
An outstanding and thorough defense of their article from a few weeks ago that touched off controversy in Washington.

Top 30 Best Hockey Fights (Picks 16-30) - The Hockey Writers
The late great Wade Belak makes an appearance here.

Problem Athletes, Not a Problem in Hockey | Overtime
Why are hockey players so gosh darn well-behaved?

Labor Day sales mean huge hockey equipment savings | Hockey Gear HQ
This is your chance to start hockey season with new skates or a new stick to help you get the jump on your competition! And yes, goalies can save, too...

Wade Belak: One Year Gone

It was one year ago today that the shocking news of Wade Belak's passing came and hit us out of nowhere. Chris was on duty that afternoon, and summed all of our thoughts up perfectly:

Wade Belak was an integral member of the organization and will be horribly missed. He was approachable in the locker room, active in the community, and l doubt you'll ever find a funnier NHL player.

The circumstances of his death sparked a tremendous amount of discussion about the league's responsibility to care for its own, particularly in light of the deaths of troubled brawlers Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien earlier that summer. But as I said at the time, "It's a dangerous game to draw conclusions from the recent deaths of these three men, as tempting as that might be."

Rather than debate the issues surrounding his passing, let's remember Wade at his best - interacting with fans, and working the camera, letting that larger-than-life personality take over:

Rest In Peace, #3.

NHL Network to air Nashville Predators' season opener (maybe)

Nashville Predators fans have long complained about the team's relative absence from national TV coverage. While teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings are regular combatants on hockey's biggest US stage, those in smaller markets like the Preds are lucky to get on once or twice a season.

Well guess what, the Predators' season opener on October 12th at Detroit is one of those games!

Oh, but then there's that pesky possibility of a lockout... darn.

In all, Nashville makes 3 appearances on NHL Network, 3 on NBC Sports, and none on NBC in 2012-2013 according to information released today by the league.

• October 12th @ Detroit - NHL Network
• January 4th @ Detroit - NHL Network
• January 21st vs. Los Angeles - NBC Sports
• March 19th vs. Phoenix - NBC Sports
• April 2nd @ St. Louis - NBC Sports
• April 4th @ Chicago - NHL Network

Steve Lepore over at Puck the Media has the breakdown for both NBC/NBC Sports and the NHL Network, if you want to check out the full league list.

Do the Nashville Predators forwards bring enough firepower?

Yeah, I miss J.P. Dumont.

I was taking a trip through the OTF Archives, and came upon this ditty from August 29 2006, back when the Nashville Predators had just plucked J.P off the free agent market:

This gives the Preds unrivaled depth up front, with Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan and Paul Kariya supported by a bevy of 20-goal scorers like Scott Hartnell, Martin Erat, and Dumont. Toss in Josef Vasicek, David Legwand, and the highly anticipated Alexander Radulov, and it looks like Nashville is ready to shake off the image of gritty, overachieving scrubs that they've had in years past. Instead of fighting for 2-1 victories and relying on Tomas Vokoun to outplay the other goalie every night, the Preds should have enough firepower to make other teams adjust their gameplans.

Ah, those halcyon days of yore!

That 2006-2007 team was a real delight, as they put together the best regular season in franchise history, and also set a high-water mark offensively with 266 goals. They weren't slouches defensively, either, placing 8th in Goals Against that season.

How Do Today's Preds Forwards Compare to 2006?

One of the main questions facing this current group of Preds is whether or not they have enough talent up front to keep Nashville around the 100-point mark in the standings. Replacing Ryan Suter on the back end will already present one challenge, but if you remember the excitement level when Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn had been added to the mix, well, it's fair to wonder where things stand now.

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The table below shows the Top 9 forwards heading into each campaign, along with their age at the start of that season, and their Points Per Game from the previous one, to give an idea of where they stood. For example, at the start of the 2006-2007 season Sully was 32, and had put up 68 points in 69 games (0.98 PPG) in 2005-2006:

2006-2007			2012-2013
Player	Age	Previous PPG	Player	Age	Previous PPG
Steve Sullivan	32	0.98	Mike Fisher	32	0.70
Jason Arnott	31	0.93	David Legwand	32	0.67
Paul Kariya	31	1.03	Martin Erat	31	0.81
J.P. Dumont	28	0.74	Sergei Kostitsyn	25	0.57
Josef Vasicek	26	0.39	Patric Hornqvist	25	0.56
David Legwand	26	0.59	Nick Spaling	24	0.28
Martin Erat	25	0.61	Craig Smith	23	0.50
Scott Hartnell	24	0.59	Colin Wilson	22	0.51
Alexander Radulov	20	Rookie	Gabriel Bourque	22	0.44
Average	27	0.73		26.2	0.58

So in a nutshell, this current group is slightly younger than that 2006-2007 squad, and I would say quite a bit less accomplished offensively (Radulov's PPG wasn't even included in the 2006-2007 average since he was a rookie). Sully, Arnott & Kariya were all right around the point-per-game mark, while the current Preds don't have anybody near that level of production, and will instead rely on the "committee" approach.

Can The Young Guns Lead?

I'm a firm believer that such an approach can work, but only if it makes up for in quantity what it lacks in quality, and to me, it's all going on hinge on how that 3rd line shakes out. Nick Spaling has earned the coaches' trust with his style of play, but I want to see Craig Smith and Colin Wilson featured as major offensive contributors (heck, if you have to, let Spals play the role of the defensively-responsible winger on that line). Going with a "2 scoring lines, 2 checking lines" approach isn't likely to get the job done when you don't have top-flight scorers leading the way on the first line.

What do you think? Is there enough potential among the younger guys on the current roster to allow them to bolster the attack and make up for the high-profile free agent departures this summer?