Predators media thread - Page 3

PredDave · 12-20-2006, 12:47 PM

Chicago dogs Preds
Nashville can't defeat Blackhawks these days

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612200444/1028

It used to be that when the Predators played the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville couldn't lose. Now the Predators can't do anything but.

Despite winning six of eight contests against Chicago in 2005-06, the Predators are 0-3 against the Blackhawks this season, including a 4-3 overtime defeat in the Windy City on Dec. 2.

Now, as the teams ready for their fourth bout, at 7:30 p.m. today in Chicago, it seems that collecting that elusive win could prove even more difficult.

Although the Blackhawks dropped 10 of their first 14 contests, they since have gone 7-1-3 and now sit in third place in the Central Division behind Detroit and leader Nashville.

"They are full of confidence," Predators right wing J.P. Dumont said. "They know they beat us three times, and we are first in the division. So it's a big game."

New Blackhawks Coach Denis Savard has focused on playing a faster-paced game, much like the Predators. To that end, he has brought in right winger Peter Bondra, who has a goal and an assist in his first two games with Chicago.

In addition, the team is celebrating the return of Martin Havlat, who was the NHL's leading scorer before suffering an ankle injury in October.

So the question is if the Predators couldn't beat Chicago before, how — as the Blackhawks show continued improvement — are they going to beat them now?

PredDave · 12-20-2006, 12:50 PM

Preds Limp Home from Roadtrip

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/nas061216.html

Facing injuries to their starting goaltender, their leading scorer, their top two centers, and a top grinder and penalty killer, the Nashville Predators returned from a long stretch of six out of seven games on the road licking their wounds with a 3-3 record.

However, the three wins came against Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Los Angeles, hardly playoff contenders they, while two of the three losses came against Anaheim and San Jose.

The good news for Preds fans is that most of their injured players have returned. David Legwand returned on Dec. 12 for the game against the Edmonton Oilers, netting the game-winner.

Steve Sullivan and Jason Arnott returned the next game, with the former scoring a natural hat trick and the latter chipping in two assists. While Tomas Vokoun did suffer a minor setback in his recovery, he is still expected back within 3-4 weeks.

Another plus for the Predators, who have played the fewest home games in the league, is that five of the team's final eight games in December are at home. The Predators the only team in the league with just one regulation loss at home all season.

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 08:23 AM

Dumont good fit with Preds

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210415/1028

Tonight's showdown between the Predators and the Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo Sabres will hold plenty of meaning for Nashville right wing J.P. Dumont.

Dumont spent his last five seasons in Buffalo, but had a rocky breakup with the Sabres last summer.

After collecting 40 points in 54 regular-season games and adding 14 points in 18 playoff contests, Dumont went to arbitration with Buffalo and was awarded a one-year, $2.9 million contract.

The Sabres chose to walk away from the ruling, allowing Dumont to become an unrestricted free agent. He eventually signed a two-year deal with the Predators, one that will pay him $2 million this season and $2.5 million next season.

"Definitely that's the game I first looked at on the calendar when I came here,'' Dumont said of the Buffalo contest. "It's going to be fun. I had been there for a long time and I have a lot of friends there.

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 08:26 AM

We won't dominate 'Hawks

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210414/1028

The Predators finally found a way to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks.

But even after a grinding 2-1 victory Wednesday, none of the Predators were expecting the win to lead to the kind of domination Nashville enjoyed over Chicago last season.

That's a tribute to how far the Blackhawks have progressed over the last several weeks, especially since Coach Denis Savard took over for Trent Yawney. Chicago has gone 7-2-3 after making the switch.

"That's a much better team than people give credit for,'' Predators left wing Steve Sullivan said. "They've got skill guys, character players, solid goaltending and a defense that's pretty mobile. We definitely think it's a team that's going to be in playoff contention by the end of the season.''

That's something the Predators never would have said last season, when they were piling up a 6-2 mark against Chicago and outscoring it 32-16 along the way.

PredDave · 12-21-2006, 08:32 AM

Marathon Mason

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210415/1028

Predators goalie Chris Mason played in his 14th straight game on Wednesday and made his 13th consecutive start.

The 13 consecutive starts ties the stretch he put together last season, when Mason started the final eight games of the regular season and all five playoff contests for Nashville.

"It feels awesome,'' Mason said. "I love playing hockey and getting a chance like this.''

Mason's 13 straight starts have come in a span of just 26 days; he's recorded a 9-3-1 mark.

"Like anyone, you start feeling more comfortable with more playing time,'' Mason said. "I'm not great playing the puck with my stick, but it's been better since I started playing more. Playing more gives you confidence and makes you feel good.''

PredDave · 12-22-2006, 09:46 AM

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612220439/1028

Leighton finally gets onto ice

Goalie Mike Leighton made his first appearance for the Predators in his first NHL game of the season Thursday when he replaced starter Chris Mason to begin the third period of Nashville's 7-2 loss to Buffalo.

Mason, who had won his five previous contests allowing six goals over that stretch, let in five goals in the first two periods against the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres bringing.

Leighton logged 19:47 of ice time, allowing two goals on 10 Buffalo shots. Both goals came in the final three minutes when the Sabres were on a five-minute power play brought on by a fighting penalty against Scott Nichol.

Mason was given the loss.

"I just felt Mason was under siege there," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "He played really well, made some real good saves. I just felt enough was enough. Mas was doing his job, but we didn't have anyone else doing their job. That created an opportunity to put Mike in there."

Leighton, a 6-foot-3, 186-pound native of Petrolia, Ontario, was collected off re-entry waivers on Nov. 27 as Anaheim attempted to recall him from the American Hockey League Portland Pirates.

He was brought in to help backup Mason, who has been filling in for the injured Tomas Vokoun since Nov. 22. Leighton, however, hadn't gotten in goal as Mason has a personal-high 14 consecutive starts.

Leighton had 42 games of previous NHL experience, which he collected over two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2002-2004.

PredDave · 12-23-2006, 02:34 PM

Preds fail second test against top NHL team
Turnovers factor in loss to Sabres

Preds fail second test against top NHL team - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 12/23/06 - Tennessean.com

Embarrassed.

That's how Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he felt after Thursday's 7-2 thrashing by the Buffalo Sabres.

The hockey world was undoubtedly watching as the Eastern Conference leaders, who had dropped two in a row for the first time this season, smashed the second-best team in the West.

The Predators had won five in a row, but they viewed the matchup as an early indicator of their playoff potential.

"That's why it's frustrating for us, knowing there was a lot of attention," right wing Steve Sullivan said. "This was a benchmark hockey game. … And how did we fare up? We didn't give them much of a matchup, and we don't see them again, so this is all people are going to remember."

PredDave · 12-26-2006, 08:21 AM

Kariya's surge fuels victories - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 12/26/06 - Tennessean.com

snippets from several stories...

Tip, tip, score: J.P. Dumont needed several chances to get his second goal of the night against the Kings, but when he finally did knock in the puck it was in memorable fashion.

All-star berth: Predators equipment manager Pete Rogers has been named as an equipment manager for the NHL All-Star game in Dallas next month. Rogers will be working for the Eastern Conference because both of the Dallas Stars' equipment managers are working the Western Conference room.

Another record: In addition to it being the first time that Nashville was awarded two penalty shots in the same game, and the first time that three players scored two goals each, Nashville set another franchise record on Saturday against the Kings — largest margin of victory.

Assist makers: Overlooked in the Predators 7-0 win against Los Angeles was a trio of assists from Steve Sullivan and Alexander Radulov.

Sullivan had tallied three assists earlier this year in a Nov. 25 game against Detroit. For Radulov, it was an NHL career-high in points and assists. Six Predators finished with multi-point performances against the Kings.

PredDave · 12-26-2006, 08:22 AM

Preds may not bask in All-Star spotlight - Nashville, Tennessee - Monday, 12/25/06 - Tennessean.com

Preds may not bask in All-Star spotlight
No dominant scorer, injury to Vokoun may hurt Nashville

The Predators will head into the post-Christmas portion of their schedule fourth in the NHL in wins, third in the league in points and second in the Western Conference in goals.

So it stands to reason that a passel of Predators will be representing the team at next month's NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, correct?

Maybe. Maybe not.

The league no longer mandates that a player be chosen from every team, so even one Nashville selection isn't a given.

The only Predators on the all-star ballot — left wing Paul Kariya, left wing Steve Sullivan and goalie Tomas Vokoun — don't appear as if they'll be voted in as starters.

PredDave · 12-26-2006, 08:27 AM

Lehtonen's return on hold - Nashville, Tennessee - Sunday, 12/24/06 - Tennessean.com

Predators defenseman Mikko Lehtonen returned to Milwaukee for his third stint with the American Hockey League Admirals last Wednesday. He was sent down with the intent that he would return to Nashville today and rejoin Predators practice after the holiday break.

Predators Coach Barry Trotz said the suspension of Scott Nichol altered plans, however, and Lehtonen will now be staying in Milwaukee. The decision is presumably to allow the Predators more freedom to bring in forwards if needed, now that they are down to 12 on the roster. They are also without Scottie Upshall (groin) and Vern Fiddler (shoulder), who are both on injured reserve.

Trotz said there is no time period for Lehtonen's return.

PredDave · 12-27-2006, 08:02 AM

Mason stars in win - Nashville, Tennessee - Wednesday, 12/27/06 - Tennessean.com

Chris Mason stood tall for the Predators on Tuesday night, blocking all four of the Blues shootout attempts on the way to Nashville's 3-2 win.

Two of those stops came with his right leg pad as he fell into the splits to cover the bottom of the net. And one of those – a shot by Martin Rucinsky on the Blues' second attempt – came under review.

As Mason dropped to the ice, the puck bounced off his leg pad and changed momentum, beginning to travel away from the goal. The top of Mason's stick then came down and hit the puck, sending it back toward the goal line. Although Mason's leg was still blocking the area, the puck snuck partway over the line.

Officials stopped for several minutes to review the play, which they eventually ruled was not a goal.

Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he did not know why the review took so long.

"The rule is pretty clear … as soon as the puck comes to a stop it's a dead puck," Trotz said. "So no matter if the goalie knocks it in or if it goes off the guys shin pad as soon as it changes direction and stops movement it's no goal."

Mason is 3-1 in shootouts this season, including two wins against the Blues. He has made 10 saves in 14 attempts.

"For the most part I really try not to make a move before they do," Mason said of his shootout defense. "It's a little bit of patience and a little bit of luck."

PredDave · 12-27-2006, 10:05 AM

INSIDE HOCKEY | Get Inside!

Cool articles about the Predators...

PredDave · 12-28-2006, 08:21 AM

Fourth-liners fighting for ice time
Players must be ready to energize coming off bench

Fourth-liners fighting for ice time - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday, 12/28/06 - Tennessean.com

Like batteries, fourth-line hockey players are charged with a specific purpose.

For the Predators, those players are to bring energy and ignite a connection between the crowd and the team with physical play, game-changing momentum and, at times, chaos.

But a battery has two terminals — positive and negative — and sometimes the energizers of the fourth line experience negative results.

They are often the first to be scratched in favor of more skilled players. They get less of an opportunity to contribute on special teams, the power play in particular.

And having to make the most of only seven or eight minutes of ice time a night can be draining.

"You have got to gain confidence out there and to do that you have to be comfortable and play the game," said Predators fourth-liner Jordin Tootoo. "I am very comfortable, but at the same time the more minutes you play the more you mature as a player, and it's kind of tough to mature when you don't play."

PredDave · 12-30-2006, 12:50 PM

Ex-Star Arnott: No negative feelings - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 12/30/06 - Tennessean.com

Jason Arnott returned to the American Airlines Center on Friday for the first time since he left it last April following the Stars playoff loss to Colorado.

As he sat in the visiting, and not the home, dressing room following the morning skate, he said being back was strange but nice.

Arnott played a little over three seasons for Dallas, posting his career-best offensive numbers last season. He ranked second on the team in points (76) and goals (32).

"I played a lot of great games (in Dallas) and the fans here are great," Arnott said. "I loved playing here. I had no negative feelings at all. It was a lot of fun."

In July, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound center signed a five-year, $22.5 million, free-agent deal with Nashville, giving the Predators the type of large offensive body it needed.

PredDave · 01-04-2007, 12:51 PM

Trotz in line for all-stars - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday, 01/04/07 - Tennessean.com

Predators Coach Barry Trotz might be headed to the NHL All-Star game later this month.

If Detroit loses in regulation tonight in San Jose and the Predators win in Chicago on Friday, Nashville would have the Western Conference's second-best winning percentage.

That would mean Trotz would be an assistant to Anaheim Coach Randy Carlyle, whose Ducks have the Western Conference's best mark.

"It would be an honor, obviously," Trotz said. "I didn't really pay attention to that. But you get the brightest stars and some of the most creative people in the business there."

Trotz is hopeful that some of his players — including Paul Kariya, Steve Sullivan, Martin Erat, Kimmo Timonen, Chris Mason and Tomas Vokoun — will receive consideration when the Western Conference names its all-star reserves.

The Predators also believe that defensemen Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, as well as forward Alexander Radulov, have a good shot at being selected for the NHL's YoungStars game.

The YoungStars game will be played Jan. 23 in Dallas, one day before the NHL All-Star game is played there at American Airlines Center.

12-20-2006, 12:47 PM	#31 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Chicago dogs Preds Nashville can't defeat Blackhawks these days http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612200444/1028 It used to be that when the Predators played the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville couldn't lose. Now the Predators can't do anything but. Despite winning six of eight contests against Chicago in 2005-06, the Predators are 0-3 against the Blackhawks this season, including a 4-3 overtime defeat in the Windy City on Dec. 2. Now, as the teams ready for their fourth bout, at 7:30 p.m. today in Chicago, it seems that collecting that elusive win could prove even more difficult. Although the Blackhawks dropped 10 of their first 14 contests, they since have gone 7-1-3 and now sit in third place in the Central Division behind Detroit and leader Nashville. "They are full of confidence," Predators right wing J.P. Dumont said. "They know they beat us three times, and we are first in the division. So it's a big game." New Blackhawks Coach Denis Savard has focused on playing a faster-paced game, much like the Predators. To that end, he has brought in right winger Peter Bondra, who has a goal and an assist in his first two games with Chicago. In addition, the team is celebrating the return of Martin Havlat, who was the NHL's leading scorer before suffering an ankle injury in October. So the question is if the Predators couldn't beat Chicago before, how — as the Blackhawks show continued improvement — are they going to beat them now?

12-20-2006, 12:50 PM	#32 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Preds Limp Home from Roadtrip http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/nas061216.html Facing injuries to their starting goaltender, their leading scorer, their top two centers, and a top grinder and penalty killer, the Nashville Predators returned from a long stretch of six out of seven games on the road licking their wounds with a 3-3 record. However, the three wins came against Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Los Angeles, hardly playoff contenders they, while two of the three losses came against Anaheim and San Jose. The good news for Preds fans is that most of their injured players have returned. David Legwand returned on Dec. 12 for the game against the Edmonton Oilers, netting the game-winner. Steve Sullivan and Jason Arnott returned the next game, with the former scoring a natural hat trick and the latter chipping in two assists. While Tomas Vokoun did suffer a minor setback in his recovery, he is still expected back within 3-4 weeks. Another plus for the Predators, who have played the fewest home games in the league, is that five of the team's final eight games in December are at home. The Predators the only team in the league with just one regulation loss at home all season.

12-21-2006, 08:23 AM	#33 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Dumont good fit with Preds http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210415/1028 Tonight's showdown between the Predators and the Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo Sabres will hold plenty of meaning for Nashville right wing J.P. Dumont. Dumont spent his last five seasons in Buffalo, but had a rocky breakup with the Sabres last summer. After collecting 40 points in 54 regular-season games and adding 14 points in 18 playoff contests, Dumont went to arbitration with Buffalo and was awarded a one-year, $2.9 million contract. The Sabres chose to walk away from the ruling, allowing Dumont to become an unrestricted free agent. He eventually signed a two-year deal with the Predators, one that will pay him $2 million this season and $2.5 million next season. "Definitely that's the game I first looked at on the calendar when I came here,'' Dumont said of the Buffalo contest. "It's going to be fun. I had been there for a long time and I have a lot of friends there.

12-21-2006, 08:26 AM	#34 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	We won't dominate 'Hawks http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210414/1028 The Predators finally found a way to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks. But even after a grinding 2-1 victory Wednesday, none of the Predators were expecting the win to lead to the kind of domination Nashville enjoyed over Chicago last season. That's a tribute to how far the Blackhawks have progressed over the last several weeks, especially since Coach Denis Savard took over for Trent Yawney. Chicago has gone 7-2-3 after making the switch. "That's a much better team than people give credit for,'' Predators left wing Steve Sullivan said. "They've got skill guys, character players, solid goaltending and a defense that's pretty mobile. We definitely think it's a team that's going to be in playoff contention by the end of the season.'' That's something the Predators never would have said last season, when they were piling up a 6-2 mark against Chicago and outscoring it 32-16 along the way.

12-21-2006, 08:32 AM	#35 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Marathon Mason http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612210415/1028 Predators goalie Chris Mason played in his 14th straight game on Wednesday and made his 13th consecutive start. The 13 consecutive starts ties the stretch he put together last season, when Mason started the final eight games of the regular season and all five playoff contests for Nashville. "It feels awesome,'' Mason said. "I love playing hockey and getting a chance like this.'' Mason's 13 straight starts have come in a span of just 26 days; he's recorded a 9-3-1 mark. "Like anyone, you start feeling more comfortable with more playing time,'' Mason said. "I'm not great playing the puck with my stick, but it's been better since I started playing more. Playing more gives you confidence and makes you feel good.''

12-22-2006, 09:46 AM	#36 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....612220439/1028 Leighton finally gets onto ice Goalie Mike Leighton made his first appearance for the Predators in his first NHL game of the season Thursday when he replaced starter Chris Mason to begin the third period of Nashville's 7-2 loss to Buffalo. Mason, who had won his five previous contests allowing six goals over that stretch, let in five goals in the first two periods against the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres bringing. Leighton logged 19:47 of ice time, allowing two goals on 10 Buffalo shots. Both goals came in the final three minutes when the Sabres were on a five-minute power play brought on by a fighting penalty against Scott Nichol. Mason was given the loss. "I just felt Mason was under siege there," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "He played really well, made some real good saves. I just felt enough was enough. Mas was doing his job, but we didn't have anyone else doing their job. That created an opportunity to put Mike in there." Leighton, a 6-foot-3, 186-pound native of Petrolia, Ontario, was collected off re-entry waivers on Nov. 27 as Anaheim attempted to recall him from the American Hockey League Portland Pirates. He was brought in to help backup Mason, who has been filling in for the injured Tomas Vokoun since Nov. 22. Leighton, however, hadn't gotten in goal as Mason has a personal-high 14 consecutive starts. Leighton had 42 games of previous NHL experience, which he collected over two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2002-2004.

12-23-2006, 02:34 PM	#37 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Preds fail second test against top NHL team Turnovers factor in loss to Sabres Preds fail second test against top NHL team - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 12/23/06 - Tennessean.com Embarrassed. That's how Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he felt after Thursday's 7-2 thrashing by the Buffalo Sabres. The hockey world was undoubtedly watching as the Eastern Conference leaders, who had dropped two in a row for the first time this season, smashed the second-best team in the West. The Predators had won five in a row, but they viewed the matchup as an early indicator of their playoff potential. "That's why it's frustrating for us, knowing there was a lot of attention," right wing Steve Sullivan said. "This was a benchmark hockey game. … And how did we fare up? We didn't give them much of a matchup, and we don't see them again, so this is all people are going to remember."

12-26-2006, 08:21 AM	#38 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Kariya's surge fuels victories - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 12/26/06 - Tennessean.com snippets from several stories... Tip, tip, score: J.P. Dumont needed several chances to get his second goal of the night against the Kings, but when he finally did knock in the puck it was in memorable fashion. All-star berth: Predators equipment manager Pete Rogers has been named as an equipment manager for the NHL All-Star game in Dallas next month. Rogers will be working for the Eastern Conference because both of the Dallas Stars' equipment managers are working the Western Conference room. Another record: In addition to it being the first time that Nashville was awarded two penalty shots in the same game, and the first time that three players scored two goals each, Nashville set another franchise record on Saturday against the Kings — largest margin of victory. Assist makers: Overlooked in the Predators 7-0 win against Los Angeles was a trio of assists from Steve Sullivan and Alexander Radulov. Sullivan had tallied three assists earlier this year in a Nov. 25 game against Detroit. For Radulov, it was an NHL career-high in points and assists. Six Predators finished with multi-point performances against the Kings.

12-26-2006, 08:22 AM	#39 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Preds may not bask in All-Star spotlight - Nashville, Tennessee - Monday, 12/25/06 - Tennessean.com Preds may not bask in All-Star spotlight No dominant scorer, injury to Vokoun may hurt Nashville The Predators will head into the post-Christmas portion of their schedule fourth in the NHL in wins, third in the league in points and second in the Western Conference in goals. So it stands to reason that a passel of Predators will be representing the team at next month's NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, correct? Maybe. Maybe not. The league no longer mandates that a player be chosen from every team, so even one Nashville selection isn't a given. The only Predators on the all-star ballot — left wing Paul Kariya, left wing Steve Sullivan and goalie Tomas Vokoun — don't appear as if they'll be voted in as starters.

12-26-2006, 08:27 AM	#40 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Lehtonen's return on hold - Nashville, Tennessee - Sunday, 12/24/06 - Tennessean.com Predators defenseman Mikko Lehtonen returned to Milwaukee for his third stint with the American Hockey League Admirals last Wednesday. He was sent down with the intent that he would return to Nashville today and rejoin Predators practice after the holiday break. Predators Coach Barry Trotz said the suspension of Scott Nichol altered plans, however, and Lehtonen will now be staying in Milwaukee. The decision is presumably to allow the Predators more freedom to bring in forwards if needed, now that they are down to 12 on the roster. They are also without Scottie Upshall (groin) and Vern Fiddler (shoulder), who are both on injured reserve. Trotz said there is no time period for Lehtonen's return.

12-27-2006, 08:02 AM	#41 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Mason stars in win - Nashville, Tennessee - Wednesday, 12/27/06 - Tennessean.com Chris Mason stood tall for the Predators on Tuesday night, blocking all four of the Blues shootout attempts on the way to Nashville's 3-2 win. Two of those stops came with his right leg pad as he fell into the splits to cover the bottom of the net. And one of those – a shot by Martin Rucinsky on the Blues' second attempt – came under review. As Mason dropped to the ice, the puck bounced off his leg pad and changed momentum, beginning to travel away from the goal. The top of Mason's stick then came down and hit the puck, sending it back toward the goal line. Although Mason's leg was still blocking the area, the puck snuck partway over the line. Officials stopped for several minutes to review the play, which they eventually ruled was not a goal. Predators Coach Barry Trotz said he did not know why the review took so long. "The rule is pretty clear … as soon as the puck comes to a stop it's a dead puck," Trotz said. "So no matter if the goalie knocks it in or if it goes off the guys shin pad as soon as it changes direction and stops movement it's no goal." Mason is 3-1 in shootouts this season, including two wins against the Blues. He has made 10 saves in 14 attempts. "For the most part I really try not to make a move before they do," Mason said of his shootout defense. "It's a little bit of patience and a little bit of luck."

12-27-2006, 10:05 AM	#42 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	INSIDE HOCKEY \| Get Inside! Cool articles about the Predators...

12-28-2006, 08:21 AM	#43 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Fourth-liners fighting for ice time Players must be ready to energize coming off bench Fourth-liners fighting for ice time - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday, 12/28/06 - Tennessean.com Like batteries, fourth-line hockey players are charged with a specific purpose. For the Predators, those players are to bring energy and ignite a connection between the crowd and the team with physical play, game-changing momentum and, at times, chaos. But a battery has two terminals — positive and negative — and sometimes the energizers of the fourth line experience negative results. They are often the first to be scratched in favor of more skilled players. They get less of an opportunity to contribute on special teams, the power play in particular. And having to make the most of only seven or eight minutes of ice time a night can be draining. "You have got to gain confidence out there and to do that you have to be comfortable and play the game," said Predators fourth-liner Jordin Tootoo. "I am very comfortable, but at the same time the more minutes you play the more you mature as a player, and it's kind of tough to mature when you don't play."

12-30-2006, 12:50 PM	#44 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Ex-Star Arnott: No negative feelings - Nashville, Tennessee - Saturday, 12/30/06 - Tennessean.com Jason Arnott returned to the American Airlines Center on Friday for the first time since he left it last April following the Stars playoff loss to Colorado. As he sat in the visiting, and not the home, dressing room following the morning skate, he said being back was strange but nice. Arnott played a little over three seasons for Dallas, posting his career-best offensive numbers last season. He ranked second on the team in points (76) and goals (32). "I played a lot of great games (in Dallas) and the fans here are great," Arnott said. "I loved playing here. I had no negative feelings at all. It was a lot of fun." In July, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound center signed a five-year, $22.5 million, free-agent deal with Nashville, giving the Predators the type of large offensive body it needed.

01-04-2007, 12:51 PM	#45 (permalink)
PredDave Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Trotz in line for all-stars - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday, 01/04/07 - Tennessean.com Predators Coach Barry Trotz might be headed to the NHL All-Star game later this month. If Detroit loses in regulation tonight in San Jose and the Predators win in Chicago on Friday, Nashville would have the Western Conference's second-best winning percentage. That would mean Trotz would be an assistant to Anaheim Coach Randy Carlyle, whose Ducks have the Western Conference's best mark. "It would be an honor, obviously," Trotz said. "I didn't really pay attention to that. But you get the brightest stars and some of the most creative people in the business there." Trotz is hopeful that some of his players — including Paul Kariya, Steve Sullivan, Martin Erat, Kimmo Timonen, Chris Mason and Tomas Vokoun — will receive consideration when the Western Conference names its all-star reserves. The Predators also believe that defensemen Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, as well as forward Alexander Radulov, have a good shot at being selected for the NHL's YoungStars game. The YoungStars game will be played Jan. 23 in Dallas, one day before the NHL All-Star game is played there at American Airlines Center.