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So, the coaching search is complete and a surprise name comes out. Welcome to Smashville Dan Muse. Muse will replace recently departed Phil Housley, who left to take the head man job in Buffalo. Yesterday was Muse’s 35th birthday and he celebrated by signing a deal to be the next assistant coach of the Nashville Predators.
Dan Muse is from Canton, Massachusettes and comes to Nashville after leading the Chicago Steel to a Clark Cup, the USHL’s championship trophy. Muse has also won a NCAA Championship with the Yale Bulldogs in 2013 and won the Ivy League titles in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Four conference titles in six seasons along with a championship? Not a bad pedigree at all.
Also part of the announcement was the news that Kevin McCarthy has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. McCarthy will take over the defensemen and power play, Muse will handle the forwards and the penalty kill.
In other Predator news… the arbitration hearing for Viktor Arvidsson is scheduled for today, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the two sides were almost two million and a year apart in their asks. Arvidsson asked for a year at $4.5 million, the Predators are coming in with a two year offer with an AAV of 2.75 million.
It’s a tough call… Arvy had a break out year last season… 31 goals in the regular season after never breaking double digits previously. Was this past year a fluke? Wondering if a “prove it… contract comes out of the situation… two years maybe… 3.5 million each? With the hearing scheduled today, news may break if they avoid it… it can also be settled any time before the announcement of the decision.
The second arbitration case is Austin Watson, scheduled for a Tuesday hearing. Watson is asking for $1.4 million, the Preds are offering $700k. Fairly close and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one doesn’t hit the hearing room.
Nashville avoided arbitration with RFA netminder Marek Mazanec… the young Czech goaltender will return to Milwaukee. Mazanec signed a two way deal, for $650k/$100k. 55 days until training camp opens 59 days until first preseason game 74 days until season opener 79 days until home opener.
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Offseason Notes
- Congratulations to our own Gnash on winning the NHL Mascot Bracket, smoking the Jersey Devil 62% – 38%... way to go Gnash!
- Montreal has begun charging an extra $150 for them to print season tickets... wow.
- St. Louis avoided arbitration with Colton Paraygo... signing him to a five year deal worth $27.5 million. Value deal.
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------------------------------------- SSR’s ninth season finale is in the books and we are already planning season ten. SlapShot Radio is the longest running hockey show in the region and we have some awesome stuff planned for next season.
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