It’s Deadline Day and a Game Day in Smashville. As deadline day dawns, Pred Nation is on pins and needles trying to figure out what will happen, if anything today. After the deadline, Nashville focuses on Mike Fisher Night tonight at Bridgestone Arena as the Preds take on Edmonton.
Let’s look at the deadline… with Matt Duchene and Mats Zuccarello off the board and a couple of minor deals over the weekend, today could be crazy! Nashville is rumored to be talking to Ottawa about Mark Stone (along with everyone else in the league) however, I keep hearing that the price is crazy. Crazy like a 2019 first rounder, a 2020 first rounder (conditional on re-sign), a current NHL player and a top prospect. Now I really like Stone… but that is nuts and completely not worth it.
Other names being bandied about… Marcus Johansson from the Devils. The 27 year old Swede has been held out of games this weekend, he has 12 goals and 15 assists in 48 games so far this season and will be a UFA at the conclusion of this season. The Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds is still on the board, but the general feeling in Pred Nation is that needs has been addressed by Brian Boyle. Kevin Hayes from the Rangers is another name that keeps coming up, but I am not sure he is the answer for Nashville. It is always my belief that players in markets like New York are sometimes over-valued… and I think this could be the case here.
The other interesting bit of info came from Eklund’s rumor tracker yesterday. Eklund hearing that Eeli Tolvanen isn’t drawing much interest. That is a fascinating take on the 19 year old. This is a player that has dominated at every level he has played at… not just succeeded… dominated. Including on the international stage. After Milwaukee’s head coach talked about him on last week’s SlapShot Radio, I am not sure if GMDP is all that interested in moving him. Ad’s coach Karl Taylor spoke of his concentration on developing all facets of the game, using his body, developing defensively… kinda like Filip Forsberg did. At this point in the kid’s development, I’m not sure it is wise to move him, so if he isn’t drawing much interest… good.
By 2pm today… all the trade deadline madness will be mostly over.
The Predators complete their homestand tonight on the front end of an important back-to-back. Nashville can’t look past this Oiler game to tomorrow night’s division showdown in St. Louis. The Oilers continue to struggle through a really disappointing season. They have changed coaches and GM’s and still no impact. You wonder how long this franchise will waste a generational talent like Connor McDavid… who won’t be playing tonight as he serves a suspension.
For Nashville, the effort expended on Saturday night needs to continue. Look, a loss is a loss, but the Predators couldn’t buy a break on Saturday… terrible calls, plenty of iron hit, no bounces… it was a Murphy’s Law game to be sure. The Oilers have points in three straight games, including a Saturday night win over Anaheim.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Juuse Saros in net for the Predators tonight, Craig Smith and Miikka Salomaki continue on IR as of this writing. Game time is 7pm and limited tickets remain. Get there early as the Predators are honoring former captain Mike Fisher in pregame.
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The Where We Stand section
Nashville holds second in Central Division, one point behind the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds two games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (2 GIH) by five points, Dallas by 10, Minnesota by 11.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Impact Games Tonight – None
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals dropped back-to-back overtime losses to Manitoba over the weekend, the head to Texas to take for a Wednesday night tilt with the Stars.
- Attendance Record – The Predators set a third attendance record for hockey at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night, 17,760 fans witnessed a tough loss to Colorado.
- Ugh – You gotta feel for the Dallas Stars, they pick up Mats Zuccarello, he gets a goal… an assist… and is now out 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury.
- Whining – The Pittsburgh media whining about the conditions at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday night is hysterical! You know they wouldn’t be saying a word if the game went the other way.
- Honor – Congrats to Shane Doan, who had his number retired by the Arizona Coyotes last night.
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