I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking for my take on the new leadership that has been named to the Preds front office. The Nashville franchise now has a new CEO in Jeff Cogen and a new president in Sean Henry, both executives with deep and successful hockey resumes. Before I go into this subject however, I feel like it is only appropriate to recognize and appreciate the outgoing president, Ed Lang.

Ed Lang has been with the Nashville Predators since the very beginning, coming to Music City as the CFO of the organization. He has been with the team through the heady days of expansion and the lows of the sale process, from the first playoff appearance through fighting off potential relocation. He has been a stabilizing force during ownership transition and a willing foil for the occasional video clip on the MegaTron. He hides his twisted sense of humor way too much...

Ed has not only been a solid member of the leadership team of this franchise, he has also been a great addition to the Nashville community. He and his family have contributed greatly (and quietly) to many different areas and charities. He has been deeply involved in the youth hockey community, both as a member of the franchise and as a hockey dad.

Ed Lang is quoted as saying he is ready for new opportunities and that it is “time to move forward.” I wish him well, and salute him for doing an incredible job in seeing this franchise through very rough waters. Good luck Ed!

While I am saddened to see such a dedicated leader leave the organization, I am equally excited at the addition of two very experienced and successful hockey executives in Jeff Cogen and Sean Henry.

Cogen has the kind of experience needed to kick this franchise to the next level, coming from a very successful run with the Dallas Stars. His knowledge of the game and of arena operations will be critical to continue the Predators growth. In an interview with Pete Weber available on the team’s website, Cogen states that developiong youth hockey will be very important to the continued growth of the team, following the model that Dallas has created, referring to the development of “Dr. Pepper Stars Centers” calling them “fan factories.” I couldn’t agree more. Not doing something like this twelve years ago is the single largest strategic mistake the original ownership made when bringing this franchise online.

Sean Henry comes to the team after eleven years with the Tampa Bay Lightning and is almost considered a bonus, as the team was really only looking for one executive to take over as CEO, adding a president to the front office shows a commitment to making the Predators the best organization it can be. In Henry’s interview with Pete Weber, he states that “the business philosophy has to marry the hockey philosophy.” He shows a nice sense of humor and a deep knowledge of the business of arena operations, filling a need that the organization has had since Hugh Lombardi left for Boston.

New leadership always brings a new energy and a fresh look at things, I am truly looking forward to the impact these two seasoned executives will bring to the Nashville Predators.

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Random Notes

- The Predators have re-upped the Cincinnati Cyclones as their ECHL affiliate for the fourth consecutive season. The Cyclones have won a pair of Kelly Cups during their tenure as the Preds secondary developmental affiliate.

- Individual game tickets go on sale this weekend for the Preds 2010-2011 regular season.

- If Eric Berlanger was talking to the Columbus Blue Jackets, no one (except Columbus fans) would care… Why is it such a big story that Toronto may or may not be talking to him?

- Now that Teemu Selanne has re-signed with the Ducks, can Paul Kariya be far behind?

- Did you see the story about the six year old schooling LA King Jack Johnson? Pretty funny, you can check it out at Pro Hockey Talk.

- 58 days to Opening Night!! Summer sucks… Drop the Puck!

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

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