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Random Notes for a Thursday - Update - Dumont Bought Out

June 30, 2011, 10:29 AM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
- UPDATE - The announcement of JP Dumont being bought out really shocked me. I really didn't expect the team to eat that cost... While I agree with the move, I hate that I lose my signature PA call... I wonder if they could go after T.J. Oshie? RJ Umberger? TJ Galardi maybe?? :-)

- UPDATE - After development camp I ended up having lunch at Five Guys where I ran into a senior member of the Preds business team. I asked him if he had seen the article that stated the Predator's lost over $10 million dollars in the last two seasons. He called the figure "stupid" and completely inaccurate... he then went on to say how he couldn't understand a journalist quoting a source (Forbes) with no sound information coming from the teams themselves. I couldn't agree more. Looking at the last two seasons available (2010-2011 is still being compiled)... the Predators had a season where they made a small profit and a season where they had a small loss...

- UPDATE - Looks like there will be an arbitration on the whole qualifying offer controversy. Preds Hockey Ops is adamant that they followed the process correctly.

- UPDATE - By the way... could somebody get the Globe and Mail headline writers a spell checker? Ummm it's spelled g-r-i-e-v-a-n-c-e :-)


- UPDATE - Got a good look at Salomaki today. His equipment arrived late yesterday and you could tell, he looked MUCH more comfortable out there, showing some very nice skills. Hellberg also looked much better, but he's still using Rinne and Lindback's gear...

- UPDATE - Lots of long timers gone from the lineup, now that we know Sullivan and Dumont won't be back. That leaves David Legwand and Martin Erat as the longest tenured Preds.

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- According to our good friends over at On the Forecheck, the NHLPA has initiated a grievance over the RFA Qualifying Offers given to seven Preds. Of course a union can also file a grievance over a ham sandwich with not enough cheese on it, an accusation is not proof… I’m waiting to see the evidence before I join the freak out brigade that is forming.

- I just can’t help but think that there is an agenda at work on this whole QO thing, and no one is asking the questions that would reveal it.

- Predators Development camp has an on-ice session today at 10am. The session is at Centennial Sportsplex and open to the public. Hope to see everyone there!

- I am glad to hear the news of Paul Kariya’s retirement. Before you flame away, I’m glad because he’s being smart. I could be selfish and say I want to see him play more, but not at the expense of his quality of life, for the rest of his life. A first ballot Hall-of-Famer to be sure…

- We had a good discussion on Kariya, and the Vancouver riots last night on the season finale of SlapShot Radio from an eyewitness, Jeff Marek from HNIC’s iDesk. It’s a great discussion and is available on podcast.

- The Florida Panthers signed Tomas Kopecky to a four year $12 million deal… huh??? If Kopecky gets that kind of money, what will Joel Ward be getting, from someone else!

- Christian Ehrhoff is doing the Dan Hamhuis routine this season, first to the Islanders, now to the Sabres. In this talent thin UFA season, he’s not signing anywhere until after 7/1.

- I keep seeing Ville Leino and Scottie Upshall as potential Pred free agent signings. Not sure on either one to be honest… I don’t think Philly will be dumb enough to let Leino go, and I don’t know if Nashville will be willing to bring Upshall back… We only have about 24 more hours to wait before the questions begin to be answered.

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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, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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SLAPSHOT RADIO

We closed out our season with one of our favorite guests, Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada Radio joined us along with an interview with Predators Assistant GM Paul Fenton…

You can get check out our podcasts at the SlapShot Radio podcast page.
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