Thursday, January 27, 2011

Predators Lose But Still in Good Shape Heading into the All-Star Break and Thursday Thoughts

Predator fans and players would have loved to have gone 6-0 on the Predators' road trip that ended the pre-all-star game portion of the schedule. The fact remains that 3-3 on a 10 day trip with quality opposition in the Western Conference is a successful venture.

It is amazing that the Predators remain in fourth place in the West after a January that had only three home games and considering the tightness of the race from fourth though fourteenth, where only nine points separate eleven teams. Nashville was 9-4 for the month.

In the preseason, if you were told that the Preds would be in their current position at this point, I doubt many folks would have asked for more.

After the break, the schedule tilts in the Predators' favor with 21 of the remaining 32 games being played at Bridgestone Arena. There will be two or three home games a week from now until April so fans need to rest up over the next few days and be ready for the stretch drive.

Shea Weber is the only Predator participant in the All-Star festivities but the Preds' "Bloggers Row" will he heavily represented with Ryan Porth, Amanda DiPaolo, and Jeremy Gover in attendance.

I am heading for New Mexico for the weekend and leaving the duties of POTG in the hands of our special on-site correspondent, Ryan Porth. He will do a great job manning the fort in my absence.

Predators - Canucks Wrap-Up...

Here is our game story from last night.

Josh Cooper had his game story, notes column, and a special 100th edition of postgame ponderings.

From the blog world reports come from Amanda DiPaolo, Mark Willoughby, Chris Burton, and Hockey Night in Nashville.

The winning side of the game comes from The Province, Vancouver Sun, Nucks Misconduct, Kurtenblog, The Canucks Way, and Canucks Hockey Blog.

In Pred Nation...

Puck Daddy gets in on the "Shea Weber leaving" chain of stories.

Dan Bradley checks in on the great one on his birthday.

The Province had a video of Shane O'Brien after yesterday's morning skate. Someone needs to show him where Tootsies is so that he can be true promoter of the city of Nashville. They also had a feature on former Canuck, Brent Peterson.

Paul McCann's SlapShot Radio featured XM Home Ice's Mike Ross and Ryan Porth and Jeremy Gover on last night's show. The podcast is up now. Paul also had a few comments about the NHLPA's decision to hire Richard Rodier.

Around the NHL...

Jeff Skinner moved from the rookie skills contest to the main squad for the All-star game, giving Carolina a third player in the game. Skinner will be the youngest to play in the All-Star game under a pure stars format (not the world champs as in the old days).

Puck Daddy has more additions with Paul Stasyny being added to the draft and P. K. Subban and Jamie McBain being added to the rookie crop.

NHL Network announced their plans for the All-Star weekend. Steve Lapore has the details.

Chris Botta reports that Dough Weight may be moving into the Islanders front office next season.

No rest over the all-star break for five Rangers who are getting sent down to Connecticut.

John Forslund, the Carolina Canes TV man, will have plenty of duties during All-Star weekend.

Kingscast celebrates two wins in a row in Episode 88.

Adrian Dater may not be able to watch the All-Star game due to a sinus infection.

The rumors about the Coyote sale will never end. They are still hoping in Winnipeg.

A year ago today, Vancouver set out on their 46 day road trip.

Intent to Blow has the story of Kyle Wellwood being upset that the #wellwoodissothing meme has not taken off.

Odds and Ends...

Overlooked with all the recent news about a surfer being injured is the fact that this year's Mavericks event will include the best line-up ever including 10 time World Champ, Kelly Slater.

Social Media accounts are now contestable in court since they have alleged value.

The New York Times has a "hangover" room for it's employees. Many years ago, when I worked at Safeco, they had a "sick" room that served the same purpose. I think a "power nap" room should be required of all workplaces.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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