Tag: Kevin Fiala

NHL Expansion Draft: Nashville Predators Primer

After a rousing and surprising postseason run Nashville’s expansion strategy is clear – protect that blue line. The Predators’ top-four defensive core may be the best in the game, and they’ll need to adopt the eight skaters/one goalie protection plan…

Kevin Wickersham

Expansion Draft Strategy: Nashville, New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Winnipeg

In the upcoming expansion draft NHL teams can protect either seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie or eight skaters (in reality four forwards and four defensemen) and one goalie. The latter option seems the less popular, as it permits…

Kevin Wickersham

NHL Injuries: Penguins, Senators, Ducks and Predators

On the Pittsburgh Penguins ... Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Mike Sullivan on Sidney Crosby: "Sid skated this morning. He is in the process of rehabbing. We'll leave it at that. It's a day-to-day process." Dave Molinari: Skating doesn't guarantee that Crosby has…

Mark Easson

NHL Injuries: Penguins, Capitals, Predators, Ducks, Stars, Lightning and Bruins

On the Pittsburgh Penguins ... Pens Inside Scoop: Coach Mike Sullivan said that Carl Hagelin is close to returning and is listed as day-to-day. He took some limited contact at practice yesterday. Pens Inside Scoop: Goaltender Matt Murray is still…

Mark Easson

NHL Injuries: Ducks, Capitals, Penguins, Predators, Canadiens and Stars

On the Anaheim Ducks ... Anaheim Ducks: Defenseman Kevin Bieksa suffered a lower-body injury and they'll continue to evaluate him today. On the Washington Capitals ... Tom Gulitti: Defenseman Karl Alzner (upper-body) skated as an extra defensive pair with Taylor…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors: Jets, Coyotes and Matt Duchene Best Fits

On the Winnipeg Jets ... Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Connor Hellebuyck will be one of the Jets goaltenders next season. Ondrej Pavelec could be traded before the deadline, and if not, the pending UFA likely won't be back…

Mark Easson

2016-17 Top 10 Nashville Predators Prospects

The Nashville Predators prospect pool is starting to look a little shallow. In the past six drafts the Predators have only had three first round picks, the highest being fourth overall with Seth Jones in 2013 who was later traded…

Peter Harling

NHL Rumors: RFAs, Predators, Las Vegas and Blue Jackets

On remaining restricted free agents ... Cap Friendly: There are nine restricted free agents that remain unsigned: Johnny Gaudreau, Rasmus Ristolainen, Rickard Rakell, Hampus Lindholm, Jacob Trouba, Tobias Rieder, Nikita Nesterov, Nikita Kucherov and Stefan Elliott. On the Nashville Predators…

Mark Easson

Rumors: Lightning, Devils, Preds, Scouting Avs-Kings

On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos ... Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos said he didn't expect to not have a contract extension in place in January. He wants to remain with the team and thinks…

Mark Easson

Rumors II: Ryan Johansen – His Future and Potential Fits

Matt Larkin of The Hockey News: Larkin looks at five potential fits for Ryan Johansen, taking into consideration need and what they can offer in return for Johansen. Philadelphia Flyers - would the Flyers trade Sean Couturier or one of…

Mark Easson

Nashville Predators 2015-16 Season Primer

Looking at the Nashville Predators heading into this season – outlook, potential lines, roster, top prospects, draft history, stats and season schedule. 2014-15 record: 47-25-10, 104 points Where they finished: 2nd in the Central Division, 3rd in the Western Conference,…

Carolyn Wilke

2015-16 Nashville Predators Top 10 Prospects

A look at the Nashville Predators top 10 prospects heading into the 2015-16 season. Since their arrival in the NHL, the Nashville Predators have had the identity of a strong defensive and physical team. Offence and prolific scoring has never been…

Peter Harling