I apologize for not keeping up the rumour mill as much today. I will be back tomorrow I promise. I personally felt that this was a very important thing to do and I appreciate you all for sticking with all the Preds talk today.


I have been talking hockey on the radio in Tennessee for almost 12 straight hours.

I think I am in a hockey town....

The rally was unreal...some say at least 7500 people, maybe as many as 10,000 crazed hockey fans on July 19 in the American South filled the floor and arena to say "enough already. this is our team. Get your own."

There was a feeling even hanging out with Legwand, Suter and Fiddler backstage that this was unreal. "I never expected this kind of a turnout," one player said. "Unreal."

The reality is simple... No one saw this coming...they were hoping to sell 300 tickets...that would have been a huge deal for a single day in July...as I write this they have blown through the 700 new season tickets and may be passing 800 by the time this posts..

There was a great sign near the stage a woman held up..

"You will get nothing from us."

The fans in the arena were getting more and more excited, almost celebrating, as the word continued to go through the arena that the “tide was turning.”

...a few weeks ago there was a glimmer of chance that the team would stay beyond this season. Now, from what I am hearing from all sources, the local group is gaining huge momentum and has blown the perception of these Preds playing anywhere else AT ALL AT ANY TIME in the near future.

I came down here, and I have to say this has been one of the most rewarding days I have ever experienced in my Hockey career…You can’t help but want to root for this town and these fine folks who love this sport as much as any fans in ANY city....these fans, the radio station 104.5 “The Zone”…They have all gone above and beyond to make this happen…They truly and sincerely appreciate this sport and this team. They are the beginnings of a hockey history that almost did not get a chance to continue…Years from now the little kids that are walking by me now on the concourse will bring their kids and tell them, “Yup, we almost lost the Team in 07. Your grandma and granddad brought me and your uncle to the arena in July. They held a drive, and they sold tickets.”

Their kids will say, “You could buy tickets back then?”

I will tell you this…Hockey southerners know how to enjoy themselves and know how to throw a party...Because of what happened here today they may get to one day throw the ultimate party….you can see them parade a Cup down the street that runs in front of the rink. Past some of the greatest country bars on the planet....and that would be a hell of a party...

Added at 10:46ET

I couldn't honestly believe some of the comments regarding this incredible day in Nashville. Countless people treating Nashville hockey fans like second class citizens and trying to diminish what was an amazing amount of work and a truly great accomplishment. I really was ready to throw my hands up in the air until I read the following post from a poster in Toronto, that I think nails the whole argument that is being beaten to death here...

I have a question.

Why do you believe people in Nashville are completely different from you and me? Why are you prejudiced against them? If you aren't prejudiced against them and can recognize that the reason you like a sport, is the exact same potential reason that everyone of them will like the sport. The fact is "build it and they will come" has never been true, and even less true in sports. It's always taken time for sports to grow into a society. Always. It did in Canada, and it did in Toronto and Montreal.

Do you honestly think one day the Toronto Arenas were created and 15,000 fans showed up at the game? No, that never happened. Ever. Either get a clue or frankly, don't speak about the matter.

If your expectations were, honestly, that an expansion team going into a new market should just turn a profit in 5-10 years when it's in direct competition with franchises that have 90+ years on them, then what school system have you went to... AND why are you not demanding money back for that education which has so clearly failed to provide you with any sort of credible reasoning ability?



If someone is sitting here and looking at this situation, and see no potential for the team in Nashville, then I shake my head and wonder why. Get some perspective, the ONLY reason a team in Hamilton could survive is because the people have been buying into a franchise already for 90+ years in Toronto or Montreal or wherever. Everyone knows sports is a family affair, which is passed down from father to son. (or mother to daughter :p)

If none of you can understand what putting a team in Nashville means, then don't comment. It's purpose is only longterm. Personally I'd love another team in Canada or even Ontario (more rivalries for the Leafs.. just what we need :p), but moving a team from an area that has shown progress, is just not smart economically.

If you want a team in Hamilton, advocate for an expansion team in Hamilton. OR lobby for a team that has shown no progress at all; Nashville isn't one of em. (I can think of at least two)
- gonofxgo

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