You simply can’t get any classier than former Predators head coach Barry Trotz, wow, that’s weird to write that. Coach Trotz took out a full page ad in yesterday’s Tennessean to thank Nashville. Here is the text of the ad…

I came to Nashville in 1997 as a young NHL coach, but found a family and a home. This community welcomed me, my family and the Predators with open arms and, over the last 16 years, together we have experienced so many great moments creating a special bond between the team, the players and the fans.
It has been an honor to coach the Nashville Predators for the last 16 seasons. Special thanks to the absolutely first class ownership group, David Poile, who I am thankful for giving me a chance and allowing me to work along side him. I am forever grateful. Thank you to the hockey operations staff, the front office, and most importantly, to the fans of Smashville for making Bridgestone Arena such a great hockey environment.
My wish is that this community continues to support those individuals and organizations such as Best Buddies and My Friends House that are near and dear to my heart. Thank you to the ownership for your generous donation this week to the Best Buddies of Tennessee program. This epitomizes your character and commitment to this organization. This community is a wonderful place to live and work and my family will always be grateful for the hospitality we have received and the friendships we have formed that will last a lifetime! We've been blessed.
Thank you Smashville!

No… thank you Barry… you and your family have given so much more than you got and Smashville is grateful for your passion, commitment and your dedication to our fair city. Please, don’t be a stranger!

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Monday Random Playoff Notes

- We are back at Tavern 96 this Wednesday for a Party on the Patio with SlapShot Radio. The forecast is great and the doors will be wide open to enjoy this great Nashville spring weather! We’ll be playing cornhole, talking hockey and watching the playoffs, all with the great food and libations at Tavern 96. Come join us! We’ll get going around 5:30pm so come by after work.

- The Predators may be done for the season, but the Milwaukee Admirals are preparing for a best of 5 quarter final against the Toronto Marlies. The series gets going Friday night in Milwaukee.

- Minor move over the weekend as Nashville acquired Jaynen Rissling from the Washington Capitals. The Preds sent their 7th round selection from the upcoming draft in exchange for the blueliner. Rissling just completed his fifth season with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, leading the Hitmen to the WHL title. The 6’4” 204 pounder has a bit of an attitude and plays with an edge.

- Chicago’s Brent Seabrook was suspended for three games for his filthy hit on David Backes. Bad timing for the Hawks as they are already down 0-2 in the series as it resumes tonight in Chicago. 7:30pm faceoff on CNBC.

- Belated congratulations to the Columbus Blue Jackets on finally getting their first playoff game win. Their series with Pittsburgh is tied at 1, game three is tonight at Nationwide Arena. 6pm faceoff on NBCSN.

- Colorado is up 2-0 on Minnesota and the Wild are looking for answers. Given the dollars spent on the Wild, the pressure is on to recover at home and get back into this series. You can’t help but think that changes are coming if the Wild fall in round one.

- It’s an 8:30pm faceoff for Dallas and Anaheim as the Stars try to crawl out of the 0-2 hole they find themselves in. Dallas has not played badly at all, they simply can’t seem to buy a break.

- The Lightning are in an 0-3 hole and look to go gently into that good night

- There’s some good ole fashioned nastiness brewing in these series… NY/Philly got chippy yesterday, San Jose / LA is heating up, and Detroit/Boston is getting downright mean.

- Speaking of nasty… Milan Lucic should be disciplined for his “cup check” … and some Boston media types should be ashamed of their reaction… no… spearing a guy in the nuts is not “part of the game”

- Did I read that right? Seven unanswered goals against LA last night? Yikes!

- Mark your calendar for Saturday May 3rd for Petey’s 5K Face-Off, the annual run/walk to support the Peterson for Parkinsons Foundation. It was a blast to do it last year so make sure to join the SlapShot Radio team for this fun event. More information is available at the PFP Website.

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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! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

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SlapShot Radio, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. We are back for our playoff run Wednesday, live from Tavern 96 at Bridgestone Arena. Showtime is 7pm.

Don’t forget to visit our season’s advertisers… The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills, Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (615-872-7762), Nolensville Collision Repair Center and Burger Republic, check their excellent menu out at their website, Defend Quality… Burger Republic.

Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family?

Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base, we have special deals available as we cover the playoffs with the best hockey talk in the mid-South. Contact me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com

Radio station owners/programmers, contact us to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via SkyView on the SlapShot Radio Network.

Our podcasts are posted… Click here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.

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