Nashville Predators get better by adding Hal Gill

The Nashville Predators took a step towards solidifying their team to make a run in the playoffs Friday afternoon by acquiring Hal Gill from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and a conditional draft pick.  While lots of Predators fans originally shook their heads in confusion at the acquisition of Gill, this trade can help strengthen the Predators defensive unit even more.  While it is undeniable that the Predators true needs are on the offensive side of the puck, the addition of Gill will down the road become an essential part of the Predators.  The Predators have been relying strongly over the past several years on the defensive pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter to carry the load of the team playing big minutes all season long.  Weber and Suter are currently both in the Top 5 in the league in time on ice per game so far this season with both averaging around 26:30 per game.  Both players play key parts on the Predators even strength, and special teams. 

With the addition of Gill the Predators have added a player who can step in and play key moments in all aspects of the game.  Gill is also a player that Nashville can count on to play a shutdown roll at times against teams top lines.  In the span of the regular season and postseason the wear and tear of the game on players can be great, especially when playing as much as Weber and Suter are.  So Predators fans, even though defense was not exactly the biggest hole in a strong Predators team, welcome Hal Gill as a player with lots of playoff experience who knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup, as well as a player who will only bolster an already strong Nashville blue line.  Do not lose faith in David Poile’s ability to build a team that can contend come playoff time, as the Gill trade will most likely not be the only move Nashville makes before February 27.  The Predators are still on the prowl for a veteran forward who can add some offensive firepower to a lackluster offensive attack.   

- Isaac Berky

The Nashville Predators Deserve the Respect of the NHL

As a team from a nontraditional hockey market the success of the Nashville Predators has been widely overlooked over the course of the franchise's history.  The Predators have never quite received the publicity or respect that the Chicago's, and Detroit's have.  However, with the recent string of strong play going 8-2 in their last 10 games the national media, and other teams around the league have begun to take notice. 

Recently when the Predators took on the Philadelphia Flyers the media began to acknowledge the strong play of the Predators calling the match up a game between two of the leagues elite.  Not a bad titling if you think back to the times that the media ripped the Predators apart.  There were times when everything was said from they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs, they’ll never win a playoff series, their style of play will never be effective in the NHL.  Well now it is the Predators who are getting the last laugh.  Barry Trotz has been a finalist for the Jack Adams trophy and looks to be in the running again this year.  Their scoring by committee style of play has landed them in 5^th place in the conference at the moment and number three in the most recent NHL power rankings.

The Predators have always been and will continue to be overshadowed by the other teams in the Central Division.  However with realignment imminent even though the first attempt was squashed the Predators could be moved out of the Central division and into a weaker division allowing them to become an even more consistent league powerhouse.  So next time when you start to think about the elite teams in the NHL make sure you take time to consider what’s going on in Nashville because its something special this season.  And if you have not gotten a chance to watch the Predators play this year take some time and just watch a period or so if not a whole game.  You will be surprised by the boys from the south who still don’t get the respect they deserve. 

- Isaac Berky

Big Changes Coming with the Nashville Predators

When Ryan Suter announced at media day for the NHL Allstar game in Ottawa that he would not be signing an extension with the Predators until after the season because he felt contract talks were a “distraction” the sports media went crazy.  People started making claims that Suter and Weber, both having made similar statements, were done in absolutely done in Nashville.  Others said Suter wants to see how David Poile and the Predators handled the trade deadline this year. 

While some Preds fans all over immediately hit the panic button, there is really no need.  This move by Suter is not his way of saying he wants out as a lot of people think.  Suter merely wants to focus on hockey, as does Weber.  The Predators have assembled most likely the best team in franchise history so far, and Suter and Weber do not want the team and themselves to be distracted by talk of who will and will not return.  Both players, as well as the owners and fans, want to return to Nashville.  Now that being said there have been rumors of Suter being shopped around to different teams, these claims are unsupported and frankly most likely not true.  The Predators have done business with the Flyers several times in the past, but as well as Nashville played heading into the Allstar break, Philly is not going to want to part with what they would have too to get Suter as a rental for the last part of the season.  So Predators fans do not worry there does not appear to be any support to claims that Suter is on the market.  Suter also appears to be happy in Nashville and wanting to stay as long as the team continues to move towards becoming a strong contender. 

With the number of trade rumors flying around these days it would not be surprising to see the Predators make a move at the deadline.  Rumors that have been flying around have included names from Parise to Hemsky, to Ruutuu to Blake.  While those first two names have any Preds fan salivating at the thought of those in a Preds sweater, lets be realistic.  Nashville will more than likely make a trade at the deadline looking to bolster their offensive fire power but its more likely to be Ruutuu or Blake.  These guys are similar to Mike Fisher, who was picked up last year at the deadline, in a sense that they can be very productive and can play many different roles, but do not have the big name status.  These players seem to fit into the Predators style of play a little better.  Plus lets be honest wouldn’t it be fun to see a lineup that had Ruttu and Tootoo

- Isaac Berky.

Ryan Ellis Bound to be a Star for the Nashville Predators

When Predators captain Shea Weber missed games with a concussion last month Predators fans feared for what the repercussions of this could mean for the team.  Very few people realized that the repercussions of not having Weber in the lineup would be the emergence of a future NHL star on the Predators blue line.  Predators fans and those who have seen Ryan Ellis play throughout his junior career and his times with Team Canada at the World Juniors knew it was just a matter of time before Ellis cracked the NHL lineup on the consistent basis, but no one could have predicted it to happen as soon as possible. 

Ellis stepped up right away proving that his lack of size is not going to affect his play in the NHL.  Ellis has been a player who thrives on the power play, much like Weber, his whole career and he fit into that role in Nashville right away.  Through six games this season for the Predators he has produce two goals and two assists for four points including a two game goal streak Ellis is currently on.  However Ellis’ offensive production is not the only thing that has allowed him to stay in Nashville even after Weber was reinserted into the lineup.  Ellis has proved to be solid in the defensive end of the ice holding a +2 rating through his first six games.  

During a season when Predators fans have to worry about whether or not their top two defensemen will return next season(Suter and Weber), Ellis is proving to be a bright spot of hope for the future for Predators fans.  Ellis has been a dominate player at all levels he has played at whether it was the OHL, or World Junior Championships, or even the AHL.  Ellis was named an AHL All-Star for the 2012 All-Star game proving his dominance at even the AHL level.  Predators fans everywhere can be thankful for this first round draft pick as potential changes loom in the background throughout the rest of this season.  Ryan Ellis has all the makings to become the next big defenseman to wear the sabre tooth tiger logo, and represent the city of Nashville.  So Predators fans be thankful and enjoy watching Ellis through the years because he is bound for greatness. 

- Isaac Berky

             

The Nashville Predators Are on a Roll

The Nashville Predators picked up their fourth straight win Thursday night defeating the Red Wings 4-3 in Nashville.  A pair of late goals from Captain Shea Weber capped off a three goal comeback in a game that held the intensity of a playoff game 7.  The Predators were looking to avenge 4-1 loss on November 26 in which they looked flatter than a month old bottle of Coke.  The Red Wing powerplay tallied 2 goals on the night and helped the Wings build a 3-1 late in the 2^nd period.  The Predators 3^rd line would bring the game within one as Jordin Tootoo, in his second game back from suspension, scored with just over 2:30 left.  Tootoo has been a huge factor for the Predators as of late netting ten points in his last ten games.  In the third period the Red Wings made on crucial mistake allowing the Predators back in the game.  The Wings, having not taken a penalty all game, took their first of the game and allowed a red hot Nashville powerplay an opportunity to tie the game up.  The Predators didn’t waste that opportunity as Weber’s blast from the point beat a screened Jimmy Howard to tie the game up.  Weber would strike again just under three minutes later to tally the game winning goal.  The Red Wings would try and mount one last attack but Pekka Rinne stood tall in net for Nashville shutting the door.

The Predators extended their season long win streak to four games and ended Detroit’s three game win streak.  Nashville recently has been getting solid play all around but could be looking to make a move for a big time goal scorer soon.  On Friday morning Nashville sent Kyle Wilson to Milwaukee of the AHL leaving them with only 12 forwards on their NHL roster.  Could this be a sign of David Poile looking to make a move before the Rosters are frozen on the 18^th?  Preds fans can only hope as the team is playing well and the addition of another scoring threat can only help players like Hornqvist, Fisher, Kostitsyn, and others.  So keep your ears open as I have a feeling some trades are in the works.

- Isaac Berky

Will Jordin Tootoo of the Nashville Predators be Judged Fairly ?

The NHL announced Tuesday afternoon that Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been given a two-game suspension after his hit on Buffalo’s Ryan Miller.  NHL Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan explained the reasoning behind the suspension by citing several things he felt Tootoo did wrong.  Tootoo, according to Shanahan, after losing the puck made no attempt to continue playing the puck, or avoid contact with Miller.   While this suspension was a step in the right direction of providing more protection for goaltenders, it brings up several questions for fans and players.  The main of these being: Why Tootoo and why not Milan Lucic? 

Tootoo made contact with Miller inside the crease while driving hard to the net.  Lucic made contact with Miller around the top of the circle in open ice.  Lucic received no suspension for the hit, however, Lucic did give Miller a concussion.  Tootoo, on the other hand, left Miller maybe a little bit rattled but unscathed.  The argument can be made that Tootoo’s actions were in immediate result of a player driving to the net and being directed by the Buffalo defender into Miller.  When reviewing the replay from certain angles it appears that Tootoo jumped in order to lessen the blow to Miller.  Once again Lucic could have avoided Miller and made no attempt to lessen the blow. 

Another thing that must be looked at when assessing the suspension is who the goaltender was.  If Tootoo had run into almost any other goaltender in the league he would have received a 2 minute minor for goaltender interference, possibly faced the other teams tough guy and been still playing.  So that causes one to ask if this had been Paul Gaustad running Nashville’s Anders Lindback would Gaustad be serving a suspension.  Gaustad after the fact appeared to be threatening Lindback which is something he was wise not to follow up on later on as Nashville has guys from their captain’s down who are willing to shed the mitts to protect their goaltender, unlike the Sabres. 

In the end there is nothing the Predators or Tootoo can do except deal with the two game suspension.  The league, however, needs to take a step back and think about its suspension policy.  The league needs to start using the same set of rules across the league.  If the league is going to toss out a suspension to Jordin Tootoo for two games, then Milan Lucic should have been suspended for at least three or four games.  In order to protect the goaltenders to the extent that they seem, by the Tootoo suspension, to want to the NHL needs to suspend any players who touch goaltenders.  As for the days where the players policed themselves well I guess the league has decided that the players cannot take care of this themselves.  Hey Buffalo there are some enforcers out there whose services you might want to look into.

- Isaac Berky

The 5 Best Movember Mustaches of the NHL

In honor of the end of “Movember” in the NHL its time to look around the league and find the 5 best mustaches in the league.  After searching through pictures and polls I have narrowed it down to what I feel are the five best staches in the NHL.  All five players had to be current active players in the league, and coaches were not considered(if they had we could very well have coaches holding 3 or 4 of the top five spots).  So without further ado here is the Top 5 mustaches from the 2011 edition of Movember.  Enjoy.

#5.Tim Thomas-Boston Bruins G

Thomas does not have the Best stache in the league however his efforts to grow one land him in the top five.  The Bruins goaltender not only got into the Movember mood with growing what one person called a “ ol gym teacher” stache, he also had a new mask made up.  If you haven’t taken the time to check it out I highly recommend you do so.

#4. Nate Thompson-Tampa Bay Lightning F

The handlebar mustache is a look that many players have tried to pull off this Movember.  Few players, however have managed to pull it off like Thompson. 

#3 Mike Brown- Toronto Maple Leafs F

While Brown is one of the few players in the league who maintain a stache year round, his was too good to be left out of the Movember Top 5. 

#2. George Parros- Anaheim Ducks F

Parros is easily the man with the best mustache year round in the league.  While he shaved his famous stache before Movember started he still had one of the best ones of the month.

And finally the mustache you’ve all been waiting for.  Coming in at number one is Cal Clutterbuck of the 

Minnesota Wild

#1.Cal Clutterbuck-Minnesota Wild F

Clutterbuck tops the Movember charts for the second year in a row with his unbelievable stache.  While Clutterbuck got a jump start on Movember this season his thick epic stache is to for lack of better words epic to be left out for that tiny fact. 

Honorable Mention

Lanny McDonald

Ok so I said current players and that’s why Lanny didn’t make the top 5, but lets be honest.  Can you really talk hockey mustaches without having Lanny McDonald’s name somewhere?  If you don’t know Lanny’s stache you are missing out on the greatest mustache of all time.  

- Isaac Berky

Nashville Predators Look to the $49 Million Man for the Stanley Cup

The Nashville Predators resigned goaltender Pekka Rinne to a 7-year $49 million dollar contract last week making him the highest paid player in franchise history.  Not only does this signing mean that Nashville is willing to dip a little farther into the cap to keep a franchise and Vezina quality goaltender around.  It also is the first step towards the important goal of keeping captain Shea Weber.  The extension to Rinne’s contract says that Nashville is serious about taking steps towards winning the Cup sometime in the near future. 

Rinne celebrated his new deal, signed on his twenty first birthday, by shutting out the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0.  For Preds fans across the world this shut out was a welcome sight.  Rinne has been absolutely outstanding so far this season, however, at times he has given up goals that were unlike the Rinne of last season.  Rinne is already the franchise leader in shutouts and currently leads the league in shutouts, a trend that probably won’t be changing anytime soon.  As the face of an organization that has struggled to get respected, and publicity the long term signing of Rinne is the best thing that has happened.  Finally the Predators have proved to fans that they are ready to stop the recent trend in the revolving goaltending door.  Over the course of franchise history almost every solid starting goalie has been pushed out by his backup.  Examples are Dunham starting till Vokoun started shining, goodbye Dunham.  Vokoun  enjoyed a stellar career in Nashville until Chris Mason proved to be worthy as a starter, after Mason came Ellis, then Rinne.  Last season the trend appeared it might continue on as backup Anders Lindback stepped up and played unbelievably when Rinne was injured. 

This contract symbolizes several things that Predators fans everywhere can celebrate.  The end of the revolving goaltending, that the Predators are willing to dig deep into their pockets to help make a run at the cup.  Hopefully this is just the first of the Predators resigning the rest of the Big 3.  As a Predators fan I can only hope that Suter and Weber will feel that this is an organization that is moving in the right direction to win a Stanley Cup in the near future, and the sign a long term contract just like Rinne has.

- Isaac Berky