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Monday Thoughts and Notes

October 10, 2011, 10:06 AM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
First off, a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Canadian readers, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and pause to remember all of our blessings on this day.

The first weekend is in the books and the Predators are getting back to work today after a well deserved off day. As I pointed out in yesterday’s blog, there are some things to get cleaned up. I always think that coaches love the type of wins that allow them to jump on the team with credibility afterward. The giveaways and defensive breakdowns give Coaches Trotz, Horachek and Lambert that ability. It always helps a team not get too high after such a great start.

The defensive ice time tells a very revealing story from the weekend. Josh Cooper points this out in his story published today in the Tennessean, noting that the third d-pair (Laakso/Hillen) had significantly less ice time then last year’s third d-pair. Is it a lack of trust? Or simply getting used to new players in the system. This is a stat that bears watching over the next few days. Not sure if I agree with the assertion that Weber and Suter can’t maintain 27-28 minutes of ice time a game…

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Random Notes

- There are rumors flying that former Pred JP Dumont may be going overseas. First reported by the blog “Fang Finger,” it is an interesting possibility. Not sure if I see JP doing that long term, but stranger things have happened.

- Welcome Back Winnipeg! What a party last night at the MTS Centre… they put on one helluva show. Truly glad to see the Jets back, and very happy to see the warm welcome Jets fans gave NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Way to stay classy Winnipeg!

- The fans blew the roof off MTS Centre last night, which was a good thing because it was a good way to vent the odor coming off the on ice product. I know it is only one game, but the Jets do not look like a very good hockey team. You can take the Thrashers out of Atlanta, but they sure looked like the Thrashers last night…

- Talk about an interesting impact of sending a player down. The New York Rangers sent Sean Avery down to their minor league team. Avery was claimed off re-entry waivers by the Rangers in 2009, meaning tat Dallas is still responsible for $1.9 million of his salary against their cap. By sending him down, Dallas may have to add a player to get back to the cap floor.

- Don Cherry doubled down on Saturday night regarding his comments on former players like Stu Grimson… and now the calls are going out for CBC to cut ties with the popular commentator, and even his co-host on McLean is being taken to the woodshed by the Canadian media. We’ll be chatting with Grimson on Wednesday night’s SlapShot Radio.

- The pressure to win in Washington is growing by the minute. Coach Bruce Boudreau is under fire for his decision to start Michal Neuvarth on opening night instead of Tomas Vokoun. Whoda thunk it… pressure to win in DC?

- The controversy around Brendan Shanahan’s job is starting to swirl. Shanahan’s suspension of Pierre-Marc Bouchard has drawn a fierce reaction from Bouchard’s agent, Alan Walsh. I understand defending your client… but I happen to agree with Shanahan’s assertion that the player is responsible for their own stick… besides, a slash across the wrist for a simple bump during a faceoff? Silly…

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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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On the next SlapShot Radio

This week’s SlapShot Radio will feature Stu Grimson, talking to us about Don Cherry’s silly comments on HNIC. Also, Bob Heethuis will join us to preview the Coyotes game. SlapShot Radio is on every Wednesday night at 6 on 102.5 the Game.

The season premier of SlapShot Radio was a roaring success on our new home, 102.5 the Game! We did our NHL annual preview show featuring Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek and legendary Pittsburgh Penguin play by play man Mike Lange. Then Pete, Charlie and I previewed the Preds.

Wait what? You say you were spinning around the wrong places on the dial… you missed it???

Not to worry… the podcast is posted on the SlapShot Radio website.

Click here to listen...

Click here to subscribe via iTunes or RSS…
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