It is Opening Night in Smashville and the gold carpet will be rolled out for a plaza party today. I will be hosting the festivities which get going at around 4pm including a welcome ceremony as the Predators players, coaches and broadcasters will be walking the gold carpet. There will be food, music and lots of fun as well.
Then, Pred Nation gets to welcome the 2-0-0 Nashville Predators home with a game against the Phoenix Coyotes. Phoenix enters its third season of ownership turmoil as the NHL continues its ownership of the franchise. Apparently, there is another owner stepping up, but the situation is rapidly reaching its’ endgame. The off the ice distractions almost seem to be used as a rallying point for the team, but at some point, that doesn’t work anymore.
The Coyotes have some talent, score by committee, stud defenseman leading a group of decent blueliners and goaltending that is not as strong as the past few seasons. Ilya Bryzgalov has moved on to a big dollar contract in Philly and Mike Smith is the man between the pipes. Smith is a decent goaltender, but cannot be considered an upgrade over Bryzgalov.
The Predators injury list is growing, Martin Erat is not playing tonight, neither is Mike Fisher, Patric Hornqvist is a game time decision. The Coyotes come in relatively healthy, Michal Rosival is the only name on the Desert Dogs injury list.
Puck drops at 7pm in Smashville. Coverage is on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee. Plaza party gets going around 4pm…
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Random Notes
- The corporate dollars are continuing to improve with the Predators, they will be announcing a corporate partnership with Nissan, later today.
- Our interview with Stu Grimson was very interesting… I know it is never a good idea to aggravate a guy know to be the enforcer… but it’s even less intelligent to aggravate one that is also a lawyer.
- Nice article on Preds CEO Jeff Cogen today in the Tennessean.
- Philly is off to a nice start, 3-0-0 including wins over last seasons SCF contestants.
- Columbus posted their first point last night, but I don’t think a 0-3-1 start was what the team had in mind after spending big bucks in the offseason.
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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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Great interview with Stu Grimson last night on SlapShot Radio, also got a nice preview of tonight’s game from Phoenix radio voice Bob Heethuis…
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