A sold out crowd at Bridgestone Arena saw the return of Pekka Rinne last night, and he announced his presence with authority, turning aside two quality scoring chances in the first two minutes of the game. The thoughts of “what might have been… certainly danced in Smashville’s head. The loss to the best team in the east was not entirely unexpected. Pittsburgh is a high-scoring team, and frankly, without Rinne in net, that game is a 6-1 blowout that was over by the middle of the second period, instead of a 1-1 nail-biter as the third began.
So attention turns to trade deadline day and as I said yesterday, I don’t expect a lot to come out of 501 Broadway today. The war room is in effect and all the key players are behind closed doors looking to see if a deal comes along that they can’t pass up. It’s been a quiet morning so far after a busy day yesterday. Busier than most expected… the first shot was the Ryan Miller trade late last week… then a period of quiet was busted yesterday when Anaheim and Washington got the party started as the Caps acquired Dustin Penner for a 4th round pick.
Then the fun really began as goalie trades followed in quick succession… Ilya Bryzgalov to Minnesota for a 2014 4th rounder and Edmonton replaced Bryz with Viktor Fasth for a couple of mid-round draft picks to Anaheim. Anaheim appeared to be clearing some cap room for their big deal of the day, acquiring Stephane Robidas for a conditional 4th round pick in this year’s draft, finishing their published activity for the day.
The action moved North and East as the Vancouver Canucks finally pulled the trigger on trading Roberto Luongo back from whence he came… to the Florida Panthers. The Canucks sent Steven Anthony with the netminder for Shawn Matthias and Jacob Markstrom, the rebuild in Vancouver is on. Other minor deals happened during the day until the day ended with one that peaked the interest of Pred Nation. Washington sending Martin Erat and John Mitchell to Phoenix for Chris Brown, Rusty Klesla and a 4th rounder in 2015, thus ending the year long Martin Erat saga in DC and cement the Erat for Forsberg trade as a complete fleecing of the Capitals.
It has been a quiet morning thus far… and as I write that, the first trade of the day comes across. The Rangers send Ryan Callahan, a 2015 1st rounder and a 2014 2nd rounder to Tampa for Martin St. Louis.
Let the craziness begin… I will be updating this blog as necessary…
----------------------------------
Random Notes
- You have to give Tanner Glass credit… he took two Shea Weber bombs on a PK in the first period and lived to tell the tale… bet he’s hurting today though.
- The hell of last night’s loss is that Nashville got help with Dallas and Winnipeg losing.
- Note to the group of Penguins fans sitting near me last night… Saluting members of our military is a thing we do as Americans… refusing to stand, cheer… ok, I don’t like it but I accept it… but don’t belittle or make fun of it… that’s just wrong.
- The no goal call on the Predators first scoring play of the night was simply silly. A plain hockey stop, the puck bounces off the skate, NO distinct kicking motion… sorry… completely disagree with overturning the call made on the ice.
- Four games tonight – 6pm start – Maple Leafs @ Rangers. 7pm starts – Capitals @ Flyers. 8:30pm start – Senators @ Flames. 9pm start – Canadiens @ Ducks
- Who to root for/against tonight – No impact games.
- Playoff Point Tracker – Need - 36 out of 46… Got – 2 out of 6 … Playoff Chances – 1.4%
--------------------------------------
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! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.
-------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. We are off until March 12th… but don’t forget to visit our advertisers… The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills, Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (615-872-7762), Nolensville Collision Repair Center and Burger Republic, check their excellent menu out at their website, Defend Quality… Burger Republic.
Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family?
Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base, we have special deals available as we head toward the playoffs with the best hockey talk in the mid-South. Contact me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
Radio station owners/programmers, contact us to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via SkyView on the SlapShot Radio Network.
Our podcasts are posted… Click here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.