The timing couldn't be better to package the rights to Alexander Radulov in a trade for a top forward. Its been over 3 years now that he bolted for the KHL and I believe he has one year left on his KHL contract. Reports show he has interest in returning to the NHL, but with the impending CBA set to expire and him coming of age to be a free agent Radulov is looking for loopholes in the system to keep from having to honoring his entry level contract. There is no way he will ever play for Nashville without it including a prolonged court battle or a top level 5 to 7 million dollar contract. I say trade his rights now. Toronto or Montreal would have the best chance of luring him back. and they have plenty of dollars and plenty of assets. I presonally would like to see the Preds to get Montreal's 2012 first and second pick for him. But at this point anything would be better than a drawn out wait with nothing in return.

All I read on the net is Suter will be Gone. Suter will be traded. What will the Preds get for Suter? I am trying to enjoy my holidays and the news is not helping. I am of the camp that Suter is probably more valuable to the Prreds D-core than Weber. He may not have the points Weber has, but he is the glue that brings the D together. I believe he is proving that now that Weber is out. I really don't want to see him leave. Please... Any good news on the home front on getting a deal done with him? Anything?

Now if thing were not bad enough. It has come to my attention that on Nov. 1 Directv will e dropping Fox Sports Tennessee due to some spat with the News Corp.  Well if your like me thats the only way to see the Preds on TV. If your in the same boat, contact directv and tell them this is unacceptable.  I just got done with my email and  I am going to call this weekend and complain also.  This action by them will reomve over half of the sports channels now offered and we will also loose National Geographic and FX.    

Was wondering if anyone out there has any Idea of what these extra Games mean to the team and to the City of Nashville?  I read a report from Buffalo in 2003 that each game had an impact of about 2mil With about 1.4 mil going to the team / arena and 600K for the Indirect, parking, hotels, taxes, etc.  Considering BuffalosRink and Market size are comparable and given an average Inflation rate that would put us around 2.4 mil...Correct?
Should give us a bit more $$'s to negotiate with Weber and Suter...maybe?

I must say I have not been a fan of the Barry Trotz we have known for the last Three or Four seasons.  But I must admit, that now I have a hard time seeing that same old Barry in this team.  I see Defensemen playing below the face off circle in the attacking zone. I saw a young third year player, centering the top line. I see a second year winger coming into his stride and not being scratched or moved to the fourth line when he makes a few mistakes.  I see a team which still plays hard on defense  but looks to counter and attack. I see a PK that's near the top of the league. I see a different style with this team. 

So where's Barry? 

Did he finalize realize that his style wasn't working?  Did the plague of injuries cause him to see things in a different light?  Did the New Ownership give him an ultimatum? Well, I don't know and I don't care.  I hope the Old Barry doesn't come back, I like the new look.

The Predators are in a tough spot with this one.  I really don't know why we have not seen a contract yet for Hornqvist.  But I understand the gamble they are taking.  If they go 2 years at say 2.75mil and Hornqvist, and he keeps scoring 30 goals a year, its very likely we will loose him on his next contract.  If they go 5 years starting at 3mil and escalating to say 5mil with a no trade clause and he doesn't produce I can see them getting stuck with another Legwand like contract.  I hope they can make a mid-length deal with Patrick, say 3 years at 3mil with incentives that would allow him to boost his income as it helps the team and then a a 2 year, club option, for around 4 or 5mil to insure we do not loose him.

What do you think?

Wade Belak is a colorful guy and I know his salary won't break the cap, But do we really need a guy like this taking up a roster spot?  Every time he is on the ice I feel he's just killing time.  It wouldn't be bad to see him in maybe 10 or 20 games max, but he played 39 games last year with only 10 fights, and according to hockeyfights.com he only won 1. I say just turn Tootoo loose again and go from a team with a goon to a team with a real P.I.T.A.

I really consider this a year a transition year for the Preds. By the end of this season they should be clearing house of the Old Unproductive Staff starting from the Coaches down. But one player in particular need to have the reins removed and acutally see what he is capable of.  The first selection of the Preds in 1998 really needs to turn it on and see if he can be part of the future of this team or does he have to go out with the wash at the end of this season.  Maybe Legwand is capable of producing more in a more aggressive offensive system maybe he can help a contender bring home a cup, but until we change coaches, it is what it is, here in Smashville. His $4,500,000 cap hit is a great burden on this team.  And even if he scores 20 we are looking at $250,000 a goal. Going forward he's just not worth it.  Its really up to the F.O. to see what he has left. I know he has a No Trade Clause, but there are ways around that, no player wants to ride the pine. So I say turn hm loose on the ice or turn him loose and let him move on.  It might be best for all involved.

Remember MOVEMBER … Like many other Historic Battle Crys “Remember MOVEMBER” needs to be this years Playoff Mantra that will help lift our Preds past the high flying Hawks in the first round of the Playoffs and truly make this a historic year .  Yes it sounds silly.. Movember (November) the official month of the Moustache. But in a emotional turn around to dismal start of the 2009 season, the Predators went 9-4 in November Winning 70% of their games, growing their “Staches” and making the month a truly memorable “Movember” in Nashville.  We need to see this kind of emotional play from them now.  A 70% win ratio will give the Preds the series in 6 games. With the series not due to start until Friday, I hope some of those Movember moustaches have started to come back in and the emotional fire, that will lead them past the Hawks, comes back with them.  

Its time Nashville Sports Council, The Tennessean, local media and Middle Tennessee to stand up and show some appreciation to the #1 Draw in attendance for a professional sports team in Nashville.  With a projected paid attendance of 14,300 fans per game, the Predators will have put 600,600 paying fans in seats at the end of this regular hockey season. Compare that to the sellout 8 games at 68,798  or 550,384 fans that showed up for the Titans regular season games and the Preds come out on top by over 50,00 paying fans. The potential is also there to draw 100,000 more fans into the arena each season by reaching max attendance. With that kind economic impact, it’s clear that Nashville needs the Predators Downtown. And what good for Nashville is good for our local businesses, media and government?   So I challenge the Local Media, Papers and Politicians to stand up and start leading the cheers. Start supporting rink improvements, Start providing extra media coverage, stir up the fan base in Middle Tennessee and show some love for the #1 Fan drawing, professional sports team in Tennessee and more importantly Nashville.

Go Preds!

Dhack