Nashville Predators: Five Thoughts For Friday, January 12th
The NHL is filled with success stories, and the Nashville Predators have some of their own. One of my favorite stories this year lies with a rival though.
Jeff Glass, the goaltender for the best Team Canada World Junior team ever in 2003 finally made it to the NHL. He’s played everywhere from the KHL to the AHL, but he finally got his chance. He even accomplished his dream of getting a win in his first ever start. No matter who you root for, I think we can all take a moment to recognize the hard work and patience Glass showed in getting to the top of the mountain. I know that I’ll be rooting for him, whenever he’s not playing the Nashville Predators, of course.
After Glass made his first ever start for the Blackhawks, the Chicago based franchise made some waves.
5. STOP BAILING OUT THE BLACKHAWKS
Stan Bowman pulled off some more wizardry as he acquired Anthony Duclair for pretty much nothing. It’s a small move that probably won’t change anything, but I think we can all agree that Duclair is better than Richard Panik. This leads me to my point though, general managers in the NHL need to stop taking Bowman’s calls.
He’s ripped so many teams off, why does anyone try anymore? It’s like picking up a beautiful looking snake, dropping it after it bites you, and then picking it up again because maybe it won’t this time.
Seriously though, this was a veteran move to pick on the novice GM, John Chayka, and it’s what David Poile does. If you look at who Poile trades with, it’s usually younger managers or managers with their backs against the wall.
Desperation makes people do stupid things, but this move from the Coyotes makes no sense. Their season is a wash as they’re clearly #FallinForDahlin. Why help out the Blackhawks in this way? We’ll see if this changes the landscape at all, but it’s safe to say that the Central just got a little bit better.
4. Cheer for a Jokerit collapse
If you want to see Eeli Tolvanen before the start of the 2018-19 regular season, root for Jokerit to choke. Tolvanen can’t break his contract but is free to head to the NHL as soon as Jokerit’s season ends. Wouldn’t Tolvanen look wonderful behind Forsberg and Fiala? Although there is an argument to be made that Tolvanen should play with Johansen and Arvidsson while Forsberg capitalizes on his chemistry with Jarnkrok. That’s just a theory though, and a flawed theory at that.
3. Hedman Injury
Victor Hedman went down with an injury during a Thursday game where the Lightning lost to the Flames. The Tampa Bay Lightning are clearly the best team in the NHL, but they’re not without weaknesses. A huge weakness just opened up if Hedman is out for more than a few weeks.
Hedman was my pick for Norris last season, but could’ve easily won it this year. He covered a few holes in the Lightning’s defensive corp. No offense to Mikhail Sergachev, but he’s not a true #1 defenseman yet and Anton Stralman can’t bear the load alone. If this injury is as bad as it might be, the second wildcard in the East is breathing a huge sigh of relief.
2. Signing all the third pair defensemen
I don’t really understand why the Nashville Predators did this. I understand Weber and Irwin, but Bitetto doesn’t make much sense. This probably means that upper management has little faith in both Alexandre Carrier and Dante Fabbro to make the jump within the next two years.
I personally think Carrier should get a few games, especially with how bad Weber can be in his own zone. But poor statistical play in Milwaukee have all but locked him out of the NHL until the beginning of next year. Hopefully the Nashville Predators will take a few more risks because I think it will pay off.
1. Rinne makes the all-star team
I actually like the all-star game and skills competition, but let’s be honest, it’s a joke and barely any stars actually want to go. Many players would rather rest up and heal from the general bumps and bruises that come from playing 82 games in a season.
Despite maybe not wanting to go, Pekka Rinne was announced as a goalie for the Central Division team. It’s much more deserved than his past all-star showing but overall, I’m glad that he’s being recognized. Rinne has been the main reason that the Nashville Predators have been winning this season.