UPDATE - per Press Release - Nashville Predators
Nashville, Tenn. (May 1, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn will not play Game Three of the team’s Western Conference Semifinals series vs. the Phoenix Coyotes as result of violating team rules.
“The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things,” Poile said. “We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates.”
The Predators practice today at 11 a.m. CT at Centennial Sportsplex and play Game Three at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, May 2 at 8 p.m. CT.
Well... this changes a few things... no further details are available but I have to admit... I like the message being sent here... no one is above the team.
UPDATE - 12:08pm - Looks like the team is punishing a curfew violation. Plenty of reports coming out that both players were spotted in a bar after curfew prior to game two.
UPDATE - 12:54pm - Reports from Willy Daunic at the Trotz media scrum says that Matt Halischuk, Craig Smith and Jordin Tootoo will be ready for tomorrow's game... two of those three will be in the lineup.
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After a particularly frustrating loss, I tend to wait for a bit before reacting, it saves me from having to extract my foot from my mouth more than I already have to. Sunday night’s game two loss to the Coyotes was one such loss. I was as frustrated as any member of Pred Nation as this team clearly is not playing “Predator Hockey.” It is what made NBC Sports Keith Jones’ tirade against Alexander Radulov in the second intermission of Sunday’s game even more puzzling.
Does Keith Jones think the only issue with the Predators being down 0-2 in this series is Radulov? Really… because I can point to numerous other players with brain farts, bad plays and incomplete efforts that are having even larger effects on this series. I just wonder why Jones picked the Russian to eviscerate in his analysis? I don’t disagree that Radulov’s play has not been up to snuff in the first two games of this series, but I wonder why Jones expects A-Rad to be a defensive genius? That is not his game.
My biggest problem with his analysis was the nastiness of it, sarcastic and very personal in tone. The content was fine and in most cases, right on the money, but the tone was simply mean, and below the analytical standards Jones had previously lived up to. Singling out one player sends the wrong message, and head coach Barry Trotz said as much in his comments, saying that the criticism “was warranted,” however “there’s a lot of guys who have to look in the mirror right now who aren’t playing as well as they’ve played, who aren’t contributing in any significant way.”
Count on the coach to deliver the accurate analysis. The Predators practice this morning at Centennial Sportsplex with an 11am start time.
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You have to love when the media gets questioned about their stories. I will give Nate Rau of the Tennessean a couple of points for going on line yesterday to discuss his front page story on the Predator’s finances. I also give him bonus points for the tap dancing around the questions about his comparisons.
Several questioners asked him to compare Predators financial performance with other NHL teams, Rau only used a loosely defined “SunBelt hockey teams.” He also refused to respond to a question on “whether or not it’s the ‘norm’ for an NHL team to operate at a loss.” Once again, when pushing the agenda he is given, Rau refuses to look at the big picture… he even ignored another commenter supplying him with information about the profitability of all NHL teams.
The other interesting question that Rau danced around was quoting Steve North in his piece, here is the exchange…
Comment: Steve North has missed 12 SA meetings (an entire year's worth) during the last three years. Was there not anyone else sitting on the SA who could speak to the matter? His lack of attendance seems to undermine his credibility somewhat.
Nate Rau: Mr. North is a contract attorney who has closely examined the Predators financial standing, and their compliance with the lease terms as well as any member of the authority. He was re-appointed by Mayor Dean, so obviously the mayor doesn't have a problem with the job he's doing.
So, let me get this straight… according to Rau’s own words, “any member of the authority” could’ve spoke to this… but Mr. Rau chose to quote a member that hasn’t deemed it necessary to attend SA meetings with any kind of consistency… and then uses the mayor’s trust as good enough for him for his credibility?
Glad to see the newspaper’s financial watchdog is so closely tied to elements of the Metro government and is so easily led around by the nose.
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Ron’s Diabetic Assist Dog Update
As 7am this morning, pledges stand at
$4,220. We are 53% to goal… Pred Antion has been awesome in this… please keep spreading the word. Social media is driving this effort, and the generosity has been amazing!
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Playoff Look
East
NYR vs. WSH – Series tied 1-1 – Next game is Wednesday
PHI vs. NJD – Flyers lead 1-0 – Next game is tonight
West
STL vs. LAK – Kings lead 2-0 – Next game is Thursday
PHX vs. NSH – Coyotes lead 2-0 – Next game is Wednesday
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Random Notes…
- Today is the second anniversary of the Nashville Flood, one of the most terrible days of my memory. But… it was also the genesis of some of the most amazing examples volunteerism and community spirit I have ever witnessed. It made me proud to call myself a Nashvillian. We Are Nashville!
- Special game time tomorrow night at the Bridge, 8pm puck drop… plaza party begins at 5pm, I will be hosting, so come on out and have some fun!
- The Predators have called up reinforcements as Milwaukee’s season is done. They called up defensemen Jonathon Blum and Victor Bartley, forwards Chris Mueller and Kyle Wilson, and goaltender Jeremy Smith.
- This Predators / Coyotes series is going in the exact opposite way everyone expected, crazy goal scoring, sub-par defensive efforts, just OK goaltending.
- One of the few positives the Preds can build on is their power play performance, it is finally showing some of the punch of the regular season.
- The other remaining Central Division team is down 0-2 as well, but in much more trouble than their divisional rivals. St. Louis dropped both games at home to the LA Kings, losing last night 5-2. The Kings scored early and often last night, scoring four in the first period and never looking back.
- The Kings are now undefeated on the road in games one and two in this playoff season…
- Alexander Ovechkin scored the game winner last night as those pesky Caps tied their series with the Rangers, getting a split and heading back to DC for Game 3.
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