Starting off on a personal note – I want to say thank you for all of your expressions of sympathy and comfort as my family grieves the loss of our nephew, SSG Shawn McCann. Hockey fans never cease to amaze me with their capacity for love and you may never know how your support has helped. Thanks to each and every one of you.
I would also like to send out condolences to former Pred Ryan Suter and the Suter family on the loss of Bob Suter, who passed from a heart attack earlier this week.
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The rookies are in town and the official beginning of training camp is only days away. The Nashville Predators are sponsoring their first prospect tournament at the brand new Ford Ice Center in Antioch, welcoming prospects from the Florida, Boston and Tampa Bay organizations. Admission to the games is free, come on out to say hi as I will be doing the PA for the Predator games over the weekend.
In my mind, beyond the obvious choices, there are five Predators to watch during the tournament and a question to be answered over the next few days and weeks…
Zach Budish - 2nd round pick in the2009 Entry draft (41st overall) – 6’3”, 223 lb. Right Wing – It may be “fish or cut bait” time for this talented, but oft-injured prospect. Budish was a tantalizing pick back in ’09. A big bodied, brawling, talented forward … but coming off a knee injury. His career in college was also dotted with injury issues and after 57 games between Milwaukee and Cincinnati last season, this may be Budish’s last real chance to make an impression in Nashville.
The question to be answered – Is it decision time for this prospect, keep or release?
Brendan Leipsic – 3rd round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (89th overall) – 5’9”, 165 lb. Left Wing – Any player that posts 211 points in his last two junior seasons brings dreams of red lights dancing in Pred Nation’s heads. The diminutive 20 year old will make a case to join the big team, he is a classic pest with some real offensive upside. Biggest thing for Leipsic is to stay on the right side of the edge he normally plays on.
The question to be answered – Is Leipsic ready to make the “leap” (sorry about that… couldn’t resist) to the big club directly from juniors?
Jonathan-Ismael Diaby – 3rd round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft (64th overall) – 6’5” 223 lb. Defenseman – You can’t teach size, and this youngster has that. Some scouts saying that this player could be ready for primetime already. Diaby does play with an edge and has learned to use his size in his punishing physical style of play. The Knows how to get that first pass out of his zone with pace and accuracy. The 19 year old may not start out the season in Pred colors, but the thought of a top four blueline consisting of Weber/Josi and Jones/Diaby is what Stanley Cup dreams are made of.
The question to be answered – He has size, attitude and smarts… can he develop into an NHL blueliner?
Magnus Hellberg – 2nd round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (38th overall) – 6’5” 185 lbs Goaltender – Since the re-signing of Carter Hutton, the pressure is relieved a bit on this young goaltender. The young Swede was pressed into backup action for one NHL game last season and spent the rest of the season in Milwaukee and Cincinnatti. Hellberg showed well in rookie camp back in July and follows in the Nashville tradition of big goalies that cover a lot of net. Solid positionally, he has learned to adjust to the North American game.
The question to be answered– Is Hellberg the obvious successor to Carter Hutton as Rinne’s backup?
Pontus Aberg – 2nd round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (37th overall) – 5’11” 189 lb. Left Wing – The 20 year old has spent the his career playing in Sweden and is now ready to ply his trade on the smaller ice. Known for his speed and compete level, the only knock on Aberg is consistency. He does have a very high hockey IQ and a real awareness on the ice that shows itself in his outstanding passing.
The question to be answered – Has he adjusted his game for success in the NHL?
The process begins today as the rookies hit the ice for their first official session at Centennial Sportsplex. The action moves to the brand new Ford Ice Center tomorrow.
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Random Notes
- I can’t let this one pass… if the folks at the Tennessean want people to buy their paper… laying off excellent local reporters like Chip Cirillo and Josh Cooper isn’t the way to do it. If I want to buy the USA Today… I’ll buy it, turning the Tennessean into it (by not covering local prep sports and hockey) will not help sales. I wish I was surprised by this… oh well… their lack of coverage is what keeps this blog going!
- The Ford Ice Center has it’s official Grand Opening ceremony today as the mayor of Nashville will cut the ribbon on the new facility at 4:30pm today… all are welcome to attend.
- Five more players have been added to the Predators rookie tournament roster… forward Viktor Arvidsson, defensemen Johan Alm and Garrett Noonan and goaltenders Rob Madore and Devin Williams.
- Informal skates continue at Centennial Sportsplex in preparation for next week’s official opening of training camp on 9/18.
- All of the new acquisitions for the Predators are in town and getting used to their new surroundings.
- RFA Ryan Ellis is still not signed but indications are things will be worked out before the start of camp…
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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
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The countdown is on and SlapShot Radio is back on the air starting Wednesday night October 1st with our annual season preview show! We are back on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network.
Pre-season advertising specials are available featuring some of the lowest rates of the season… so please… reach out to me. You can email me at paul (at) slapshotradio (.com)
The SlapShot Radio Road Trip is back!!! Go to our
Facebook page for more information and join us as we hit the road to Big D!
We need to nail down tickets quick gang… so head on over!
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