UPDATE - Trade announced as the Predators trade Ryan Parent and Jonas Andersson for
defenseman Shane O’Brien and forward Dan Gendur from the Vancouver Canucks.

from the Preds press release...

O’Brien, 27 (8/9/83), appeared in 65 regular-season games for the Canucks a season ago, posting eight points (2g-6a) and 79 penalty minutes, and in all 12 of Vancouver’s playoff games registering three points (1g-2a) and 25 penalty minutes. In 299 career NHL contests with Vancouver, Anaheim and Tampa Bay since the 2006-07 campaign, the 6-3, 224-pound blueliner has 55 points (8g-47a) and 605 penalty minutes. The Port Hope, Ont., native was originally drafted 250th overall (eighth round) by the Ducks in the 2003 Entry Draft held at Bridgestone Arena.

Gendur, 23 (5/21/87), split the 2009-10 season between Victoria and Johnstown of the ECHL, combining for 12 points (2g-10a) in 29 games. As a rookie pro in 2008-09, the 5-11, 190-pound winger posted one goal in 10 games with Manitoba (AHL), and 38 points (9g-29a) in 52 contests with Victoria. A native of Vancouver, B.C., Gendur was selected 206th overall (seventh round) by the Canucks in the 2007 Entry Draft.

Initial reaction from Pred Nation is not positive... most of the reactions I have seen on Twitter, and other sources indicate head scratching all around. Vancouver has put Parent on waivers immediately and also sent Andersson down to Manitoba. Vancouver bloggers are calling this a cap casualty, which may indeed be true.

So, a couple of new Preds to welcome to Nashville... Vancouver gets cap relief, Nashville gets a bit more beef on the blueline. This is a trade that will take a little while to determine a winner or loser on.

----------------------------------

- Injuries are affecting the Predators a bit as they make the final decisions on the opening night roster. Word just came down that Aaron Johnson was sent down to Milwaukee, seemingly setting the defensemen. The roster stands at 25 with a minimum of two cuts to go… maybe. Sergei Kostitsyn is being called doubtful for Saturday’s lid lifter against Anaheim, with a fractured foot and Jamie Lundmark is still battling a groin injury. Putting both of them on IR would solve the roster for now… if that is the way the team chooses.

- The Meet the Team party for full season ticket holders was last night, a great crowd turned out.

- Today is the annual Faceoff Luncheon at the Wildhorse… festivities get going at around 11:30am.

- The NHL season officially drops the puck in Helsinki with an 11am faceoff Thursday in a game featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and the Minnesota Wild… gotta love that daytime hockey! There are four more games being played Thursday night.

- Looks like there is a free preview of NHL Center Ice for most of the month of October… at least on DirecTV.

- Hockey Night in Canada is going 3D this season with two special 3D broadcasts. At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, I’m just not that excited about 3D… I’ve spent thousands of dollars on Lasik and contacts to not wear glasses… now I have to in order to watch a game and have a puck come flying at me??? I just don’t see it.

- The NHL and the NHL Officials Association reached a new four year contract. Glad to see that happen, didn’t really want to start the season with replacement refs.

- So… now Dish Network is shortchanging hockey fans… Wow… this is getting silly. We DirecTV customers feel your pain Dish customers… only this one looks worse! Dish is not carrying any of FS TN’s Pred coverage… that would make me switch, I don't care who's fault it is.

- Speaking of FS Tennessee, they will carry Predators Snapshot (DirecTV Channel 646) at 9pm CDT tonight.

- Opening Night tickets have really started to move, so plan on being in Smashville this Saturday night. I’ll be hosting the Opening Night festivities on the plaza with a red carpet event, lots of games, a beer garden, and the gang from the Preds new flagship station 102.9 the Buzz will broadcasting live from the Bridge all day. The Red Carpet event starts at 4pm on the plaza, so get there early to welcome the boys in blue back to Smashville!!

---------------------------------------

Tune in to SportsRadio 560 tomorrow (Wednesday) morning as I will be filling in for Greg Pogue on the Morning Sports Page. Call in for some great sports talk! We’ll be previewing the MLB playoffs, the NHL season and talk plenty of football as well… that’s 6-9am on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, listen online at www.wnsr.com

---------------------------------------

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.

--------------------------------------

COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

SlapShot Radio drops the puck on our new season tomorrow night with our NHL Preview show, San Jose broadcaster (and color voice on the NHL 2K series) Drew Ramenda is joining us to break down the Western Conference and our very special guest to give us the lowdown on the Eastern Conference is Michael “Doc” Emrick from the NHL on NBC. Pete Weber will have a chat with Predators head coach Barry Trotz to get his take on the season as well. It’s all on SlapShot Radio, SportsRadio 560 WNSR, every Wednesday at 6pm… listen online or on podcast at www.slapshotradio.com

For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville