Paul McCann: Busy September in Pred Nation

First! Hockey is upon us ladies and gents

For those of you who remember when Nashville had TWO hockey bloggers on this site, Mr. Felder has resurfaced with his take on the broadcast crew changes for the upcoming season. I can't say that I disagree with him. Willie has definitely educated himself on hockey, but I think his cadence is more in line with hockey discussion, not play-by-play.

http://www.thepredatorial.../08/31/broadcast-changes/

For those of you who remember when Nashville had TWO hockey bloggers on this site, Mr. Felder has resurfaced with his take on the broadcast crew changes for the upcoming season. I can't say that I disagree with him. Willie has definitely educated himself on hockey, but I think his cadence is more in line with hockey discussion, not play-by-play.

http://www.thepredatorial.../08/31/broadcast-changes/
- RockiesTop

Thanks for reading!

For those of you who remember when Nashville had TWO hockey bloggers on this site, Mr. Felder has resurfaced with his take on the broadcast crew changes for the upcoming season. I can't say that I disagree with him. Willie has definitely educated himself on hockey, but I think his cadence is more in line with hockey discussion, not play-by-play.

http://www.thepredatorial.../08/31/broadcast-changes/
- RockiesTop

Talent vs. Tenure


Clearly tenure won out...

Talent vs. Tenure


Clearly tenure won out...
- nikoli1206

I actually look forward to Stu being in with Pete but I cringe thinking about Willy doing the radio broadcast.

I actually look forward to Stu being in with Pete but I cringe thinking about Willy doing the radio broadcast.
- Graydayz

I think Stu will be better than he was as the "sideline" guy...time will tell.

Willy brings nothing to the table as a "personality" on radio or TV. He sounds so fake and scripted when talking about sports. I have never understood why this town keeps giving this guy a job. There are so many more better options out there.

I actually look forward to Stu being in with Pete but I cringe thinking about Willy doing the radio broadcast.
- Graydayz

Stu has the knowledge, but I find him too stiff for a team's color analyst. I've always enjoyed the passion, enthusiasm, knowledge, and banter that Crispy added to the broadcast. For similar reasons to Stu, I didn't like Eli Gold on our broadcast. When someone scored, I couldn't tell by his delivery whether it was Nashville or our opponent. I don't want a blatant homer with no objectivity, but I do like to hear some passion that reflects what the home fans feel.

Stu has the knowledge, but I find him too stiff for a team's color analyst. I've always enjoyed the passion, enthusiasm, knowledge, and banter that Crispy added to the broadcast. For similar reasons to Stu, I didn't like Eli Gold on our broadcast. When someone scored, I couldn't tell by his delivery whether it was Nashville or our opponent. I don't want a blatant homer with no objectivity, but I do like to hear some passion that reflects what the home fans feel.
- RockiesTop

Willy couldn't get a fly excited for a pile of poop.

Stu has the knowledge, but I find him too stiff for a team's color analyst. I've always enjoyed the passion, enthusiasm, knowledge, and banter that Crispy added to the broadcast. For similar reasons to Stu, I didn't like Eli Gold on our broadcast. When someone scored, I couldn't tell by his delivery whether it was Nashville or our opponent. I don't want a blatant homer with no objectivity, but I do like to hear some passion that reflects what the home fans feel.
- RockiesTop

Stu tends to be too verbose or at least I=he did as the sideline guy. If he starts running over Pete, we may have a problem.. Brandon has a good theory about the long term thinking of the Preds front office but Lord I hope it isn't how it works out.

I agree they should have chosen someone who has done hockey for more than what 60 games? Oh well, I will either be in at The Stone or watching TV so I don't have to worry about listening to him.

Thanks for reading!
- Brandon Felder

What happened to Callahan ?

What happened to Callahan ?
- wrister

I don't think Tom Callahan ever revealed why he left. It was very sudden and happened not long after last season started. Shortly thereafter, he had a late night show on The Game called "The Night Shift". That has morphed into an early afternoon show on The Game2. I suspect that the travel and time commitments were hurting his personal life, but I don't know. I am just glad that we can still hear him. We suffered through Willie on an interim basis last year, hoping that Aaron Sims (Milwaukee Admirals Play-by-Play) would get the call up this year.

I actually look forward to Stu being in with Pete but I cringe thinking about Willy doing the radio broadcast.
- Graydayz

im not a Stu fan. IMO he has zero personality/enthusiasm.

im not a Stu fan. IMO he has zero personality/enthusiasm.
- predswilrule

I can't say that I am either...but the role he was in (sideline reporter) is a doodoo position anyways. It will be interesting to see if he can adapt in the new role.

- Friday, September 12th – Official grand opening of Ford Ice Center. Time 5pm
- pmccann

Jacobia Dowell posted the event timelines. The ribbon cutting is supposed to be at 4:30pm.

Friday, September 12 – Grand Opening Ceremony
• 4:30 p.m. - Ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Karl Dean, Nashville Predators personalities, Olympian Scott Hamilton, Metro Council and Sports Authority members.
o VIP tours and reception to follow
• 5 p.m. - Open Skate - Free to the public
• 5 p.m. - Party in the Park
• 7 p.m. - Fireworks!
Saturday, September 13
• 11 a.m. - Party in the Park
• 1 p.m. - Rookie Game featuring Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins
• 3:15 p.m. - Annual Nashville Predators Skate of the Union address
• 4:30 p.m. - Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
• 6:30 p.m. - Autograph signing with select Nashville Predators prospects
Sunday, September 14
• 4 p.m. - Rookie Game featuring Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins
• 7 p.m. - Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs Florida Panthers
Tuesday, September 16
• 10 a.m. - Rookie Game featuring Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
• 7 p.m. - Rookie Game featuring Nashville Predators vs Boston Bruins

(Located at Former Hickory Hollow Mall)
5264 Hickory Hollow Pkwy
Antioch, TN 37013
Parking accessible throughout entire campus of rink

I'm not sure what they're thinking with fireworks scheduled at 7pm, but I digress.

I would also recommend that people access the rink from Mt. View rather than Hickory Hollow Pkwy, otherwise you'll have to drive around to the opposite side of the venue.

I think Stu will be better than he was as the "sideline" guy...time will tell.

Willy brings nothing to the table as a "personality" on radio or TV. He sounds so fake and scripted when talking about sports. I have never understood why this town keeps giving this guy a job. There are so many more better options out there.
- nikoli1206

I don't think he sounds fake and scripted when talking about sports, but I do feel that way when he calls the Preds games. It seems like he has to manufacture his excitement level when the Preds score. His falsetto is terrible, and he pauses to much during the call, trying to figure out what he's going to say.

Callahan was a HUGE loss. He could carry a broadcast on his own, and he had a broadcast voice. Willy has a talk show voice. I won't listen to the radio anymore as long as Willy is calling the games. No offense to him, he's a nice guy, but he makes me uncomfortable when I listen to his call.

I completely agree with Felder's assessment that it's a minor league move by the Preds.

I don't think he sounds fake and scripted when talking about sports, but I do feel that way when he calls the Preds games. It seems like he has to manufacture his excitement level when the Preds score. His falsetto is terrible, and he pauses to much during the call, trying to figure out what he's going to say.

Callahan was a HUGE loss. He could carry a broadcast on his own, and he had a broadcast voice. Willy has a talk show voice. I won't listen to the radio anymore as long as Willy is calling the games. No offense to him, he's a nice guy, but he makes me uncomfortable when I listen to his call.

I completely agree with Felder's assessment that it's a minor league move by the Preds.
- Predaceous

Wtf, Thinessean????? Professional team in town without a beat writer?????? Just proves that current editorial staff don't know their collective butts from a hole in the ground!

Best of luck Josh Cooper!

Wtf, Thinessean????? Professional team in town without a beat writer?????? Just proves that current editorial staff don't know their collective butts from a hole in the ground!

Best of luck Josh Cooper!
- im4preds

Considering the animosity that the Tennessean has historically shown against the Preds, I am not surprised. Most of the paper's "Newsroom of the Future" isn't fit to line a birdcage. Cooper didn't give the Predators the Cass & Rau treatment, and now he is losing his job. I hope he can find another gig in Nashville so that we don't lose another hockey voice.

http://uversechannels.att.com/channel-survey




If you are stuck in Uverse hell like me , please take 1 minute to fill this out and request the NHL Network.

They have the NHL Network already in their drop down menu for this survey so hopefully they are close to adding it back on .