UPDATE - According to Jordin Tootoo's agent, he will not be re-signed by the Predators and will hit the open market on Sunday. The curse of the player's show strikes again!

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The draft is done and now focus turns to Development Camp, which begins tomorrow at Centennial Sportsplex. A fairly decent haul over the weekend in Pittsburgh, considering the lack of a first round pick, the Predators may have gotten some offensive help, selecting forwards with their first five picks.

The class of 2012 is drawing favorable comparisons to the Predator’s 2009 class, a draft that brought Ryan Ellis, Craig Smith and Gabriel Bourque to the team. The draft class is being called a winner by several knowledgeable hockey writers, calling both Pontus Aberg and Colton Sissons players that very well could’ve gone at the bottom of the first round.

Development camp is an off-season event that Pred Nation looks forward to… one final hit of hockey before a long hot summer. This year’s development camp starts tonight with physicals and hits the ice tomorrow morning at 9am. On Ice sessions will also be held Thursday at 9am, Saturday at 9am and Sunday at 2pm. The prospects will also be out in the community on Friday afternoon.

Besides the chance to get a look at the new class of baby Preds, it is also a chance to check the progress of some draft picks from previous years… here’s some that I will be looking out for…

- Zach Budish – The 6’3” power forward has been hampered by injuries over the past few seasons. The second round pick from 2009 finally had a full season for the University of Minnesota and has shown tremendous growth. Staying healthy for another season will be a key in this player’s development.

- Austin Watson – Watson is coming off of a very good Memorial Cup run with the London Knights. The 20 year old has been bounced around a bit in the OHL spending time with three different teams over the past two seasons. Watson was the Preds first pick in the 2010 draft. I expect him to begin the season in Milwaukee, but he will be closely watched to see if he is ready to make the jump.

- Charles-Olivier Roussel - Another 2009 pick, Roussel had an excellent season for Saint John, making it all the way to the Memorial Cup final. Another one I expect to be in Milwaukee when the season starts.

- Magnus Hellberg - Another 6”5” goaltender from Sweden… wonder how long it will take for the @FakeHellberg Twitter account to activate.

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ROAD TRIP!!!!!

SlapShot Radio has circled the date... February 9th at the Verizon Center in DC for our next SlapShot Radio Road Trip... we are working out details and will forward as we get them. Keep an eye on the SlapShot Radio page on Facebook for details.

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Random Notes

- Congratulations to Gerry Helper, Kevin Wilson and the Predators Hockey Communications staff on being awarded the 2012 Dillman Award for media relations. At least the PWHA got one award right…

- Any RFA qualifying offers are due today. Insert your own fax machine joke here…

- Can you believe that Fred Shero, legendary two time Cup winning coach is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame? Me neither…

- A meeting of player reps and alternates is taking place in Chicago starting today to determine the NHLPA’s positions for the upcoming CBA negotiations.

- The Pittsburgh Penguins may have signaled a serious run at both Zach Parise and Ryan Suter with their clearing of cap apace.

- The situation in Vancouver regarding Roberto Luongo is getting interesting. Damien Cox in today’s Toronto Star poses an interesting scenario… the Leafs dropping an offer on RFA Corey Schnieder with the intent to get Luongo… fascinating.

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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!

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

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On the next SlapShot Radio

We will be back with our season finale Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game, featuring the voices of the Predators, Tom Callahan and Stu Grimson joins Pete Weber and I to put a bow on the season and look ahead.

Click here to download or listen to our current or previous podcasts.

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