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Game Night - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

September 25, 2018, 11:06 AM ET [0 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to write, It’s Game Night in Smashville! The Predators close out the home portion of their preseason schedule with a tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators are coming off back-to-back losses to Eastern Conference power Tampa Bay and want to get back on the winning track.

The Predators roster is down to 28 as 24 players have been sent to Milwaukee’s camp over the weekend including four that had to clear waivers. There are five players (minimum) that are left to be sent down by October 4. What spots are available? Let’s take a look…

The goaltending is obviously set, Juuse Saros and Pekka Rinne are the only goalies left in camp.

On the blueline there are three players fighting for two spots. You know that Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, PK Subban, Roman Josi and Dan Hamhuis has the first five slots. The battle between Anthony Bitetto, Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber should continue to be an interesting one. Injuries obviously will play a role here (if any) but if a player can clear waivers will also factor into the decision, and frankly… I’m not sure any of those three players would clear in order to be sent to Milwaukee. This situation bears watching over the next week. The team could also make the choice to carry eight defensemen…

At forward, the situation is much more murky. There are sixteen players (not including the suspended Austin Watson) completing for up to 14 slots. Figure that Viktor Arvidsson, Nick Bonino, Kein Fiala, Filip Forsberg Ryan Hartman, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Johansen, Craig Smith and Kyle Turris are the “duh!” selections. That leaves seven completing for three or four slots (again depending on decisions made on the blueline.) I can see Colton Sisson being the tenth forward… so now it’s six competing for 2 or 3.

The six remaining are Miikka Salomaki, Eeli Tolvanen, Zac Rinaldo, Rocco Grimaldi, Frederick Gaudreau and Colin Blackwell. Blackwell, a speedy little center has impressed in camp and appears to have played his way into a top six spot in Milwaukee, but I would be shocked to see this player selected over any of the remaining five. Freddie Gaudreau, can still be sent to Milwaukee without clearing waivers and is on a two-way contract. Unless he really begins to tear it up, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him heading to Milwaukee again. Rocco Grimaldi will get some time in Nashville this season, he has had a really solid camp and the coaches love him but I don’t see him making the team out of camp.

So that leaves Salomaki, Tovanen and Rinaldo. At least two, possibly all three will make the opening night roster. The Wrecking Ball needs to get back to his old ways, Salomaki needs to throw his body around in order to be his most effective, his entire game seems to fire off of his physicality. Zac Rinaldo is auditioning for the Austin Watson role, while Watson serves his 27 game suspension. Rinaldo has shown well in preseason and it is well known that head coach Peter Laviolette really likes his game.

And that leaves Eeli Tolvanen. There is quite a bit of pressure being heaped on those 19 year old shoulders. His NHL debut was less than auspicious. There is no doubt the young man has the talent, but he will need to persevere in order to break through in the best league in the world. Quite possibly, for the first time in his career playing the game. Now it’s more than a test of talent, it’s a test of will. Perhaps Tolvanen could benefit from some time in Milwaukee, the question is, will he take the option if offered to him?

Plenty of questions to answer in the last week of camp. Perhaps we start seeing thos eanswers become evident tonight. Game time is 7pm. Game coverage is on 102.5 the Game, starting with pregame at 6pm… Fox Sports Tennessee will provide game coverage of a preseason game for the first time in team history tonight. That coverage starts at 7pm.

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SlapShot Radio returns tomorrow night on 102.5 the Game, Zack and I will be back along with our new co-host, former NHL player and coach… Brent Peterson! Join us at 7pm tomorrow for our 11th season premier.

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Random Notes

- Carolina comes into tonight’s game with an unblemished preseason record of 3-0-0

- The Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 15-3 so far in preseason.

- Hurricane Relief efforts will be a big part of tonight’s game… text RELIEF to “52182” to donate to the effort.

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We are very excited to announce an event to benefit Best Buddies of Tennessee… It’s a Murder Mystery specifically written for this event called Five for Murder! This is presented by The Murder Mystery Company , the nationwide leader in mystery-themed entertainment. Our presenting sponsors are SlapShot Radio and by Jackalope Brewing Company.

So, what’s the story? The hockey community is rocked when a high-profile hockey personality is found dead! Now it is up to you and your teammates to find the ice-cold killer… and put him in the penalty box – for life!

If you ever wanted to take part in a live game of Clue, this is your chance!

Join us for a hockey-themed murder mystery show where guests will enjoy an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and a chance to meet some Predators personalities. Throughout the night, the plot will unfold and we need your help to solve the mystery! Guests will get to interrogate suspects, gather clues and work with their team to crack the case before the suspect gets away.

All proceeds benefit Best Buddies programs devoted to changing the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through meaningful one-to-one friendships and supported employment.

This will be a show you won’t want to miss, so grab your tickets today… click here to get your tickets.

The details…
When? Friday, October 12, 2018
6–7 pm: VIP Reception (early access and seat choice, meet and great with the cast and Predators personalities)
7 pm: Doors open for General Admission
8–10 pm: Show

Where? The Barn at Chavis 4054 Wilson Pike Franklin, TN 37067

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SlapShot Radio’s is now prepping for it’s 11th season. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day. We are on every Wednesday night on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. We debut our 11th season tomorrow.

We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and Patrick J. Brown’s Farmer Insurance Agency in Mt. Juliet… I switched to them a few years back and their service has been incredible! Give Pat and his team a call at 615-288-2086.

Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great preseason advertising deals available for our eleventh season. You can send me a message on the SlapShot Radio Facebook page or by messaging me right here on HockeyBuzz.

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.

If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at on SoundCloud.

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