predators news

It's been a whole three days since i last posted about the Predators, and there actually has been some news today, so here's a big huge update:

City Paper had a great article* today about how he thinks we will actually be pretty good this year and that we could surprise people "the most talented team does not always win the Stanley Cup". Of course he's the coach, he has to say that. But i agree. We certainly have a better team than our first playoff year when we barely made it in. And that team actually won two games in the first round before getting knocked out, as opposed to just one game the last two years. With Arnott being one of our main guys up front, and trading Hartnell and Timonen for Bonk and de Vires, we are a much bigger team overall. I will be really curious to see if we keep going after more size with other free agents or prospect call-ups. Though after seeing him in camp last year, don't hold your breath for 6'7" Yonkman to be in the lineup regularly.

Speaking of camp...
Here's the schedule so far (finally announced today!!!)
Training Camp starts Sept 13th
     with testing and physicals at the Sommet Center
First open, on-ice session will be Sept 14th
     at Centennial Sportsplex (as usual)

The Preseason was also announced today. Looks like an all South East schedule for us, which is kinda fun. I really wish we were in a division with all these teams. Would really help build the sport in the south i think (all the SEC'ers would be more likely to get into it). But the NHL is so eastern heavy that Nashville, Columbus, and Detroit are all in the Western Conference. How nuts is that. Anyway - i'm hoping to go visit some friends in Atlanta for the pre-season game there, but we'll have to see since its a "school" night.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS 2007 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Day	Date	Opponent	Site		Time (CDT)
Sunday	Sept. 16	Columbus Blue Jackets	Nationwide Arena		4:00 PM
Thursday	Sept. 20	Atlanta Thrashers	Sommet Center		7:00 PM
Friday	Sept. 21	Carolina Hurricanes	RBC Center		6:00 PM
Saturday	Sept. 22	Carolina Hurricanes	Sommet Center		7:00 PM
Tuesday	Sept. 25	Atlanta Thrashers	Philips Arena		6:00 PM
Saturday	Sept. 29	Columbus Blue Jackets	Sommet Center		7:00 PM

I also just got the latest email update from Section 303.
Lots of "Save the Predators" events going on. I'm just going to do a cut and paste for ya here...

1) IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY, GET SOME SEASON TIX..OR ADD-ON!
http://www.seats3d.com/nhl/nashville_predators

2) COME TO THE BIG "SAVE THE PREDATORS" RALLY ON THUR. JULY 19.
Sponsored by 104.5 "The Zone" and OurTeamNashville.com, this event at the Sommet Center (the new name for the Nashville Arena) will be an all-day affair from 6 AM to 8 PM, but they want to pack the arena out at 6:00 PM. There will be tons of media coverage for this so we want to see the joint rockin'!

The event will be inside to avoid any problems with inclement weather. Folks will be able to roam around the arena to look at season ticket locations. Current Predators players will be on hand to answer phones and help sell tix.

More info:
http://www.1045thezone.com/?pid=6506

If you would like to volunteer to help at the rally, go to:
http://www.ourteamnashville.com
Phone: 615-259-4754

3) SAVE THE PREDATORS BENEFIT CONCERT
(was tonight at the Rutledge)

4) BUY A NASHVILLE LOVE HOCKEY WRISTBAND
Price is $5.00 and 70% of the money goes to buying tickets for worthy groups. For more info go to:
http://www.nashvilleloveshockey.com

5) ZANIES SHOW 7/25 TO SAVE THE PREDS
Featuring Patti Vasquez
Wed. July 25 at 7:30 (doors open at 6:00--seating first come, fist served)
Tickets are $16.00
100% of proceeds go to SavethePredators.com
Call 615-269-0221 to reserve seats

6) SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE PREDATORS
http://www.petitiononline.com/19972007/petition.html

7) FILL OUT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SURVEY ABOUT THE PREDATORS
http://www.nashvillechamber.com/predators/


Like i said, the concert for SaveThePredators.com was tonight. We didn't go, but Christy and i did order shirts from the site to support the effort. They aren't anything special and i don't know if i'll ever where it in public (i have about 6 Predators shirts that are cooler and i have to wear collared shirts to work now), but it's nice enough. Anyway...interesting thing is that the City Paper announced the concert. Had a little write-up next to the main Predators article.

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And for those still trying to keep track of the off-ice Predators news, On The Forecheck just posted that the Nashville Post is reporting that Jim Balsillie is apparently out of the running for purchasing the Predators. It is now just down to "Boots" (the Kansas City guy) and the local offer. I like the idea proposed that they may combine. Of course, there is also always the possibility that Leipold will decide to work with the local group to do what he asked for way back in the spring - partial ownership from locals. No one took that talk seriously back then, and now suddenly this group has to play catch-up. How different might this have all looked if a few of these local businessmen had just stepped up with a few million back then?

I wonder if one person can own a minority stake in two NHL clubs at the same time? I'm not sure why "Boots" would want to trade a small share of the Sharks for a share of the Predators. I mean, i love the Preds, but the Sharks are a stronger team financially than we are right now.

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* Of course, i would love to link to the Preds article in the City Paper, or the write-up on the concert tonight - but noooo. The City Paper's new online version (as cool as that is) keeps me from linking to it. I like that i can now see the pictures (the old site had no pics) but how the heck am i supposed to bring them extra readers if i can't link to their articles?!