An apology, if you will. Sorry I haven’t been blogging over the last week or so. My family has been graduating our youngest from high school, culminating in the ceremony yesterday afternoon, and party last night. I could not be prouder of my daughter and I wish her well as she goes forth into college. I also wish the entire class of 2012 all the best.
The graduation got me thinking… and comparing it to the Nashville Predators graduating from “the little franchise that could” to “serious playoff contender fallen short” … from “just happy to be here” to “damn mad to be gone so soon.”
A graduation has you looking back at the past with sentimentality, remembering the good times that may have not been so good, or the players that hold special places in the fan’s hearts that, honestly, wouldn’t have the talent to be on the current roster, but it doesn’t reduce their place in your history.
Graduation has you looking forward to a new world with new opportunities and new people in your life. The people you spent the last few years with end up going to new schools, some far away… the relationship changes and you form a new group of friends, a new support group that gets you through the rough patches of a new environment.
As the Predators franchise looks forward, a sort of graduation may take place. Players that have been with the team for quite awhile, Jordin Tootoo may find himself looking at new surroundings. Ryan Suter will decide if he wants to transfer to a different team. Transfer students like Brandon Yip, Hall Gill and Alexander Radulov find themselves at crossroads… look for a new location, or re-sign in Nashville.
It is a time to look back… and look forward… graduation season is upon us…
------------------------------------
Ron’s Diabetic Assist Dog Update
As 11am this morning, pledges stand at
$5,555. We are 69% to goal… less that $2500 to go...
Please keep spreading the word. Social media is driving this effort, and the generosity has been so very typical of hockey fans!
Click on the
link to contribute.
-----------------------------------
Random Notes…
- Predator players and prospects are making an impact at the Worlds. Craig Smith, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist, Roman Josi and the Kostitsyn brothers are all participating.
- A lot of “tea leaf reading” is going on with Alexander Radulov. It is fairly obvious that he wants to stay in the NHL, he has nothing left to accomplish in the KHL, but that specter looms large. My take? I have no clue what will happen… I like to hold onto him, but there is way too many option to make a call right now.
- Former Predator Jim McKenzie has signed a two-year extension as coach of the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. He left the Nashville area and took over the program in January when the Lumberjacks decided to make a coaching change.
- Game one of the Western Conference Finals went to the more poised team. Los Angeles continued their road warrior ways by keeping their unbeaten road record intact. The Kings cannot lay back, as their two mistakes ended up in their own net, but this one wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
- Watch out Coyotes fans… here comes the Goldwater Institute looking like they will try to scuttle another deal to keep the franchise in the desert. I guess these folks would rather pay debt service and maintenance on an empty building... shortsighted, misguided, attention grabbers that they are. Seriously, how does anyone do business in that environment?
- The only difference in game one of the ‘Yotes/Kings series and the ‘Yotes/Preds series was LA converted their chances where the Preds did not. If LA can continue to finish, this could be a short series.
- Game one of the Rangers and Devils is tonight. As a guy who grew up hating both of these teams, I wonder… can a series end in a tie???
- What an insulting column from Jeff Blair in the
Globe and Mail today… calling Canadian hockey fans “sheep” and accusing the NHL of “rigging” these playoffs to result in a New York / Los Angeles final. I know it is a columnist’s job to stir things up, but Mr. Blair goes over the line here.
- These playoffs are drawing improved ratings and much more buzz than the last few years. Great… it must be time to talk CBA…
- Team USA has clinched a berth in the quarterfinals of the IIHF World Championships after taking apart Finland 5-0. There is a good chance that the quarter-final game could be against that same Finland team.
----------------------------------
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!
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
-------------------------------------
On the next
SlapShot Radio
We are finalizing the guest list for this week’s show…
Click
here to download or listen to our current or previous podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»