And now… a regular Sunday feature for my blog… Sunday Shots… pics from last night’s action at Bridgestone Arena.


Photos courtesy DLM


The Nashville Predators followed up their most successful season in franchise history with their most successful preseason as well. Their overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes finished their prep for the 2011-12 season with a 7-1 record. OK, that and a couple of bucks will get you a coffee at Tim Horton’s, but it is something to build on.

Last night, the Preds sat quite a few of the regulars to get one final look, one final audition for the group that will make this team… and the group that will be in Milwaukee to start the season.

The audition results were mixed. After last night’s game, three players were sent down, forwards Gabriel Bourque and Chris Mueller and defensemen Tyler Sloan. Defenseman Roman Josi was placed on injured reserve and will start the season with the Admirals according to a team press release. That leaves 27 players in camp. All reports are indicating that Mike Fisher and Francis Bouillon will start the season on injured reserve as well… so that leaves 25 players competing for 21-23 slots on the roster. Traditionally, Nashville has carried 21-22 players, so at least three players on the current roster will end up on Milwaukee’s roster to start the season. We know the goaltending situation is set, let’s consider preseason performance and try to figure out who makes this team.

On the blueline we know that Weber, Suter, Kline are in, Blum is probably in, so that leaves two or three slots to fill…

Ryan Ellis did his best to make the decision very, very difficult last night. He played a smart, effective game, especially as a trigger man on the power play. He set up the game tying power play goal and got a boatload of ice time. Many observers considered Ellis a “borderline” player, not sure if he would make the team, last night may have pushed him on to the opening night roster.

Mattias Ekholm has had a very uneven preseason. He has shown flashes of the player the scouting staff has seen, he has also shown flashes of struggling to adapt to the smaller ice surface of the NHL. His unique contract allows him to go back to Europe if he doesn’t make the Nashville roster, it is my hope that he waives that portion and accepts a role with the Admirals. He does need the AHL seasoning for no other reason that getting used to the smaller surface.

Teemu Laakso has played his way onto the roster, it is time. He has had a solid preseason and should start the year on the third D pair. Jack Hillen has shown the kind of work ethic and toughness that may be just the ticket to fill Francis Bouillon’s spot until the verteran defenseman is ready to return to the lineup. These two players also have the advantage of having to clear waivers before being sent down. I’m not sure if the team would want to risk losing them…

So… on the blueline I believe that Laakso and Hillen start the year in Nashville and if the Predators decide to carry seven defensemen, Ryan Ellis will also make the roster.

At forward it is a much more difficult call… there are 16 forwards left in camp, with Fisher on IR to start the season, there will need to be at least two reassigned from a group that consists of Blake Geoffrion, Matt Halsichuk, Craig Smith and Kyle Wilson.

Blake Geoffrion stuck with the team after his callup last season and had a decent run. His injury severely limited his ice time in camp, missing almost two weeks and struggling a bit in last night’s game. He may get sent down for a few weeks, especially considering he does not have to clear waivers.

Craig Smith has made a statement in this camp, from his rookie game performances to his game winner last night, smart, fast, calm with the puck and unafraid to shoot. He does appear to be what the Preds need. This may be the most difficult decision for the coaching staff as he is the only other forward in camp that is not waiver eligible. That being said… I think he starts the year on the big team.

Kyle Wilson and Matt Halischuk both have to clear waivers. Halischuk has had a very good camp and is a prototypical Predator. I think Wilson may get sent down and potentially lost to the waiver wire.

So… at forward, I think that Smith and Halischuk make the opening night roster, Geoffrion and Wilson get some time in Milwaukee. The big unknown in all of this is what I will call “The O’Brien Factor.” Recall last season at this time when the Predators packaged a couple of players to trade when Shane O’Brien became available. So if a waiver eligible player can be packaged, this could change to dynamic.

The decision making process begins in earnest today.

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Random Notes

- If you need a hockey fix today… head down to the Bridge for some high school hockey as part of Pred Fest. The High School Hockey Jamboree drops the puck at 10am and runs all the way through 10pm. The quality of high school hockey in Nashville continues to improve… check it out.

- No practice today (Sunday)… next on ice is tomorrow, 10:30am at Sportsplex

- I don’t think Predator fans have seen a player learn his lessons better than Colin Wilson. He has been a force in preseason and looks to bring it to the games that count.

- The Milwaukee Admirals dropped their preseason game to Chicago last night as former Admiral Darren Haydar netted the game winner. The Ad’s are 1-1 on the preseason.

- Some interesting discussion over the Alexander Radulov situation last night. Dirk Hoag (On the Forecheck) poised the question about waivers and Radulov. He believes that ARad would have to clear waivers and that the CBA doesn’t comprehend if a player is under contract or not. I don’t think we’ll get a definitive answer on this one as Radulov isn’t going anywhere this year. My belief… Radulov has a contract in effect in North America that precludes waivers… but stranger things have happened.

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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 is on the move… Our season premier is this Wednesday night at 6pm on our new home 102.5 the Game! Join the voice of the Predators Pete Weber and I for the fastest hour on radio… SlapShot Radio… same day, same time, new station! 102.5 the Game.

We will be doing our NHL annual preview show featuring TSN’s Jeff Marek and legendary Pittsburgh Penguin play by play man Mike Lange. Then Pete, Charlie and I will be previewing the Preds. All Wednesday night at 6 on 102.5 the Game!

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