Elvis Costello, Bryan Setzer, and Ricky Scaggs play Charlie Rich's "Sittin' and Thinkin'" at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings (3/30/08)
Dan Ellis continues his marvelous play by making it through his third straight regulation game without allowing a goal. Unfortunately, the Wings slip one by him in overtime to leave the Predators with only a point.
Victor Wooten - "Norwegian Wood"
Long time Nashville local and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones band member Victor Wooten plays his bass like no other.
Jordin Tootoo vs. Jared Boll - Fight (3/28/08)
Well, you can't win 'em all. Even so, this is much more of a draw than a loss as Tootoo gets in a few solid punches early on before Boll's reach becomes an advantage. We'll call it 2-0-1 for Tootoo in this back-to-back meeting with the Blue Jackets...not bad at all!
Nashville Predators @ Columbus Blue Jackets (3/28/08)
The Predators continue their dominance of the Blue Jackets as Dan Ellis completes another full game without letting in a goal.
Jordin Tootoo vs. Jason Chimera - Fight (3/25/08)
Tootoo proves yet again that size doesn't matter much as he goes toe to toe with Chimera, even letting Chimera get up before pummeling him again.
Jordin Tootoo vs. Jan Hejda - Fight (3/25/08)
Jordin Tootoo lays a monster hit on Latislav Klesla, and then gets the best of Jan Hejda as he comes in to protest the hit.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators (3/25/08)
Dan Ellis comes up big in net for the Predators as they shut out the Blue Jackets and pick up two critical points.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Living Out Their Dream - Shea Weber
By Warren Henderson - Kelowna Capital News - March 23, 2008
As the history and tradition of the Kelowna Rockets organization grows, so does its presence throughout the hockey world. There are currently more than 40 ex-Rockets now playing the professional game, including 17 who have appeared in the National Hockey League this season. In today’s Capital News, sports reporter Warren Henderson catches up with three former Rockets who are living their dreams of playing in the NHL.
For a former star of the Kelowna Rockets, making the adjustment to the NHL has meant enduring some emotional and physical highs and lows. A couple of early playoff exits at the hands of the San Jose Sharks the last two seasons didn’t sit well with Shea Weber and his Nashville Predators teammates. This spring, the former Kelowna Rockets blueliner just hopes the Preds will get another chance to pursue Lord Stanley’s precious mug.
Heading into Thursday’s action, the Predators were on the outside looking in, sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference. But with Vancouver, Colorado and Calgary still within striking distance, the 6-foot-3 native of Sicamous is a long way from throwing in the towel.
“This is the best time of the year for any hockey player, you’re fighting for a playoff spot and that’s what we all want is a shot at the Stanley Cup,” said Weber, who had six goals and 18 points in 45 games this season. “We’ve had our struggles with consistency this year and we didn’t want to be in this position, but if we don’t start playing our best and get on a roll, we’ll be out of it. It’s crunch time.”
That Weber is involved in a playoff race at all could be considered a bonus for the 2005 Western Hockey League playoff MVP, particularly with the rough ride he’s had this season. Weber’s 2007-08 campaign was put only hold a scant five minutes into the season opener against Colorado when he suffered a dislocated patella (kneecap) as his skate hit a rut. He returned after missing 18 games, but the reprieve was short lived as just three weeks later, Weber was felled by a sprained ankle.
Another 11 games on the shelf and Weber was left wondering if he’d ever be healthy again. “It was pretty frustrating. I’ve never been injured twice like that in the same season,” Weber said from Nashville last week as the Predators prepared for Thursday night’s meeting with the Detroit Red Wings. “In the big picture, I have to look at it that the first injury could have been a lot worse. I’m back out there playing when I could have been done for the season instead. I’m starting to feel like everything is getting back to normal,” Weber continued, “and hopefully I can help the team get into the playoffs.”
While the Predators fortunes are foremost in his thoughts these days, Weber also finds time to relax in the face considerable pressure to make it to the Stanley Cup post-season. And what is his main diversion in the Tennessee city at this time of year? What else, but Weber’s other sport of passion—baseball. “I like a lot of other sports, but I really like going out and watching some college baseball,” said Weber, who was a pitcher and shortstop when he played minor baseball. “Vanderbilt plays here and it’s really pretty good, quality baseball. I find it pretty relaxing and I really enjoy watching the game.”
From BCLocalNews.com
As the history and tradition of the Kelowna Rockets organization grows, so does its presence throughout the hockey world. There are currently more than 40 ex-Rockets now playing the professional game, including 17 who have appeared in the National Hockey League this season. In today’s Capital News, sports reporter Warren Henderson catches up with three former Rockets who are living their dreams of playing in the NHL.
For a former star of the Kelowna Rockets, making the adjustment to the NHL has meant enduring some emotional and physical highs and lows. A couple of early playoff exits at the hands of the San Jose Sharks the last two seasons didn’t sit well with Shea Weber and his Nashville Predators teammates. This spring, the former Kelowna Rockets blueliner just hopes the Preds will get another chance to pursue Lord Stanley’s precious mug.
Heading into Thursday’s action, the Predators were on the outside looking in, sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference. But with Vancouver, Colorado and Calgary still within striking distance, the 6-foot-3 native of Sicamous is a long way from throwing in the towel.
“This is the best time of the year for any hockey player, you’re fighting for a playoff spot and that’s what we all want is a shot at the Stanley Cup,” said Weber, who had six goals and 18 points in 45 games this season. “We’ve had our struggles with consistency this year and we didn’t want to be in this position, but if we don’t start playing our best and get on a roll, we’ll be out of it. It’s crunch time.”
That Weber is involved in a playoff race at all could be considered a bonus for the 2005 Western Hockey League playoff MVP, particularly with the rough ride he’s had this season. Weber’s 2007-08 campaign was put only hold a scant five minutes into the season opener against Colorado when he suffered a dislocated patella (kneecap) as his skate hit a rut. He returned after missing 18 games, but the reprieve was short lived as just three weeks later, Weber was felled by a sprained ankle.
Another 11 games on the shelf and Weber was left wondering if he’d ever be healthy again. “It was pretty frustrating. I’ve never been injured twice like that in the same season,” Weber said from Nashville last week as the Predators prepared for Thursday night’s meeting with the Detroit Red Wings. “In the big picture, I have to look at it that the first injury could have been a lot worse. I’m back out there playing when I could have been done for the season instead. I’m starting to feel like everything is getting back to normal,” Weber continued, “and hopefully I can help the team get into the playoffs.”
While the Predators fortunes are foremost in his thoughts these days, Weber also finds time to relax in the face considerable pressure to make it to the Stanley Cup post-season. And what is his main diversion in the Tennessee city at this time of year? What else, but Weber’s other sport of passion—baseball. “I like a lot of other sports, but I really like going out and watching some college baseball,” said Weber, who was a pitcher and shortstop when he played minor baseball. “Vanderbilt plays here and it’s really pretty good, quality baseball. I find it pretty relaxing and I really enjoy watching the game.”
From BCLocalNews.com
Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators (3/22/08)
Youngsters Rich Peverley and Alexander Radulov come up big in an OT shoot-out to get two much needed points for the Predators in their quest to squeak into the playoffs.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
197 Foot Goal
Thankfully, the Predators weren't on the receiving end of this oddball goal. Rob Davison of the New York Islanders clears the puck down ice on the penalty kill only to have it take a weird bounce and sneak by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala.
Washington Capitals @ Nashville Predators (3/18/08)
Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Predators come up short against the Caps and forfeit two more critical playoff points.
New Lease on NHL Life
NASHVILLE -- Had Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie had his way, the Nashville Predators would be playing out their final NHL season in the Tennessee capital and preparing to pack their bags for Hamilton.
Instead, 10 months after Balsillie believed he had a deal to buy the team for $234-million (all currency U.S.), the Predators' new owners are awaiting final approval of a renegotiated arena lease they say can keep the NHL in Nashville for a long time.
"In an ironic way, we probably owe Jim Balsillie a debt of gratitude," said David Freeman, the Predators' chairman and one-third owner. "It simply pulled this entire community together to see the value of the team and find a solution that made sense for everybody."
That solution will be voted upon by the local sports authority today before going to city council for final approval on April 1.
The city has agreed to give the Predators $3-million a year for five years to manage the city-owned Sommet Center, $3.8-million a year in annual operating support and additional incentives to bring in more events.
In exchange, the Predators agreed to stay in Nashville for five years.
The team would be allowed to leave after the 2009-10 season if it lost $20-million under the lease and was unable to sell an average of 14,000 tickets a game. But the team would repay the sports authority roughly $6.8-million every year they operated under the lease.
The deal might smell like a public subsidy to a private enterprise, but local politicians are apparently convinced the Predators have no chance of surviving on revenue generated by the team alone.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pledged that the league's new labour agreement would work for all 30 teams, but in Nashville, that day is a long way off.
"Based on our business model, we have a hard time coming up with a scenario where we as an ownership group would be pulling profits out of this business," Freeman said. "NHL franchises appreciate very nicely, but we have no intention of selling or moving. The value may go up, but we all intend to die owning this club."
If the lease proposal is not approved, the Predators would be free to move at the end of this season should they fail to reach the paid-attendance figure of 14,000 (the team is projecting a season-end average paid-attendance figure of 13,300).
However, Freeman discounts that possibility.
The former owner of a company that disposed of medical waste, Freeman, 46, is an unlikely hockey saviour. Prior to leading the group that in December bought the team from Craig Leipold for $193-million, Freeman had been to just three NHL games. The only hockey game he remembers watching is one involving the U.S. Olympic men's team in 1980. A picture of that game, signed by goaltender Jim Craig, hangs in his office, a gift from Freeman's mother when he took over the Predators.
The native of Knoxville, Tenn., admits he knows far more about U.S. college football than ice and pucks and is learning many of the business nuances of running an NHL team on the fly. But Freeman seems sincere when he says he is driven not by profit or ego, but by wanting to perform what he considers a civic duty.
Good intentions aside, Freeman and his group of 10 other investors still have their work cut out for them in a city where, even with the Predators in the thick of a fight for the playoffs, the team is often buried in the local media behind men's and women's college basketball, off-season NFL news, baseball, NASCAR and even arena football.
On one recent Sunday, the only Predators story was on Page 7 of a nine-page sports section in The Tennessean. The team is routinely omitted from evening television sportscasts on non-game days.
Cultivated mostly from the local finance and health-care communities, the new ownership group has seen attendance rise steadily since taking over in December, meaning the club will qualify for NHL revenue sharing by achieving a paid attendance figure of at least 13,125. But with cheaper tickets than most NHL markets (the upper bowl is priced at less than $30 a seat for season-ticket holders, and through promotions or packages, many seats can be had for about $20), the Predators know they need local revenue streams beyond the hockey gate.
"I believe there's a small group of very dedicated fans here, and outside of that, I don't know what the interest is," said Troy Hudson, a partial season-ticket holder who was at last week's game against the Los Angeles Kings with his wife and two daughters. "The season-ticket holders are passionate, but outside of that, a lot of people are not that much in tune with what's going on."
While Nashville is roughly the same population as Ottawa, Calgary or Edmonton, demand for hockey in those Canadian markets allows teams to charge more for tickets and draw significant revenues through things such as local radio and TV.
"I may have more money in my pocket right now than we get from our local TV stations," said Freeman, who looked to be in awe when reminded that the Toronto Maple Leafs get $700,000 (Canadian) for each locally televised home game.
"That is our biggest challenge to competing on an equal business footing with franchises in Canadian markets and border states," Freeman said. "We just don't have the sheer depth of numbers you'll find in a Canadian market, where the love of the game is so deep and widespread."
That point was the rallying cry of many Canadians who felt slighted when Balsillie's efforts to move the Predators to Hamilton went up in smoke last summer.
Freeman understands the disappointment, but doesn't apologize for the efforts to keep the team.
"We're finding a lot of people who are coming out for the first time under the theory of, 'I don't care about hockey, but I sure do care about Nashville and I'm going to support this team because it's good for the city,' " he said. "I don't think Hamilton got screwed.
"This is a franchise that was awarded to Nashville 10 years ago, and the people of Hamilton can appreciate a city that loves its hockey team and doesn't want to let it go.
"There's no question in my mind that Hamilton would be a great home for an NHL team," Freeman said. "But if Hamilton gets an NHL franchise, it just has to be named something other than Hamilton Predators."
From globeandmail.com
Instead, 10 months after Balsillie believed he had a deal to buy the team for $234-million (all currency U.S.), the Predators' new owners are awaiting final approval of a renegotiated arena lease they say can keep the NHL in Nashville for a long time.
"In an ironic way, we probably owe Jim Balsillie a debt of gratitude," said David Freeman, the Predators' chairman and one-third owner. "It simply pulled this entire community together to see the value of the team and find a solution that made sense for everybody."
That solution will be voted upon by the local sports authority today before going to city council for final approval on April 1.
The city has agreed to give the Predators $3-million a year for five years to manage the city-owned Sommet Center, $3.8-million a year in annual operating support and additional incentives to bring in more events.
In exchange, the Predators agreed to stay in Nashville for five years.
The team would be allowed to leave after the 2009-10 season if it lost $20-million under the lease and was unable to sell an average of 14,000 tickets a game. But the team would repay the sports authority roughly $6.8-million every year they operated under the lease.
The deal might smell like a public subsidy to a private enterprise, but local politicians are apparently convinced the Predators have no chance of surviving on revenue generated by the team alone.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pledged that the league's new labour agreement would work for all 30 teams, but in Nashville, that day is a long way off.
"Based on our business model, we have a hard time coming up with a scenario where we as an ownership group would be pulling profits out of this business," Freeman said. "NHL franchises appreciate very nicely, but we have no intention of selling or moving. The value may go up, but we all intend to die owning this club."
If the lease proposal is not approved, the Predators would be free to move at the end of this season should they fail to reach the paid-attendance figure of 14,000 (the team is projecting a season-end average paid-attendance figure of 13,300).
However, Freeman discounts that possibility.
The former owner of a company that disposed of medical waste, Freeman, 46, is an unlikely hockey saviour. Prior to leading the group that in December bought the team from Craig Leipold for $193-million, Freeman had been to just three NHL games. The only hockey game he remembers watching is one involving the U.S. Olympic men's team in 1980. A picture of that game, signed by goaltender Jim Craig, hangs in his office, a gift from Freeman's mother when he took over the Predators.
The native of Knoxville, Tenn., admits he knows far more about U.S. college football than ice and pucks and is learning many of the business nuances of running an NHL team on the fly. But Freeman seems sincere when he says he is driven not by profit or ego, but by wanting to perform what he considers a civic duty.
Good intentions aside, Freeman and his group of 10 other investors still have their work cut out for them in a city where, even with the Predators in the thick of a fight for the playoffs, the team is often buried in the local media behind men's and women's college basketball, off-season NFL news, baseball, NASCAR and even arena football.
On one recent Sunday, the only Predators story was on Page 7 of a nine-page sports section in The Tennessean. The team is routinely omitted from evening television sportscasts on non-game days.
Cultivated mostly from the local finance and health-care communities, the new ownership group has seen attendance rise steadily since taking over in December, meaning the club will qualify for NHL revenue sharing by achieving a paid attendance figure of at least 13,125. But with cheaper tickets than most NHL markets (the upper bowl is priced at less than $30 a seat for season-ticket holders, and through promotions or packages, many seats can be had for about $20), the Predators know they need local revenue streams beyond the hockey gate.
"I believe there's a small group of very dedicated fans here, and outside of that, I don't know what the interest is," said Troy Hudson, a partial season-ticket holder who was at last week's game against the Los Angeles Kings with his wife and two daughters. "The season-ticket holders are passionate, but outside of that, a lot of people are not that much in tune with what's going on."
While Nashville is roughly the same population as Ottawa, Calgary or Edmonton, demand for hockey in those Canadian markets allows teams to charge more for tickets and draw significant revenues through things such as local radio and TV.
"I may have more money in my pocket right now than we get from our local TV stations," said Freeman, who looked to be in awe when reminded that the Toronto Maple Leafs get $700,000 (Canadian) for each locally televised home game.
"That is our biggest challenge to competing on an equal business footing with franchises in Canadian markets and border states," Freeman said. "We just don't have the sheer depth of numbers you'll find in a Canadian market, where the love of the game is so deep and widespread."
That point was the rallying cry of many Canadians who felt slighted when Balsillie's efforts to move the Predators to Hamilton went up in smoke last summer.
Freeman understands the disappointment, but doesn't apologize for the efforts to keep the team.
"We're finding a lot of people who are coming out for the first time under the theory of, 'I don't care about hockey, but I sure do care about Nashville and I'm going to support this team because it's good for the city,' " he said. "I don't think Hamilton got screwed.
"This is a franchise that was awarded to Nashville 10 years ago, and the people of Hamilton can appreciate a city that loves its hockey team and doesn't want to let it go.
"There's no question in my mind that Hamilton would be a great home for an NHL team," Freeman said. "But if Hamilton gets an NHL franchise, it just has to be named something other than Hamilton Predators."
From globeandmail.com
Monday, March 17, 2008
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings (3/15/08)
After suffering a bitter loss at home to the Kings, the Predators regroup and take home a win in Detroit to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
Peverley, Ellis Help Predators End Struggles in Detroit
DETROIT -- Rich Peverley scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Dan Ellis made 34 saves to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Red Wings on Saturday.
Defenseman Dan Hamhuis also tallied and Jerred Smithson added an empty-netter for Nashville, which won at Joe Louis Arena for the first time in seven games dating to March 21, 2006.
With the win, the Predators (36-29-8) moved into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks (35-26-10) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Canucks visit the Dallas Stars later Saturday.
A mixup behind the Detroit net led to Peverley's goal at 6:10 of the second period that snapped a 1-1 tie. Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood left the puck behind the net, but Peverley beat defenseman Niklas Kronwall to the loose puck and tucked it into the corner of the net before Osgood could recover.
Smithson sealed the victory with an empty-net tally with 18 ticks left in the contest.
Hamhuis opened the scoring at 10:27 of the opening session when he skated in on Osgood and slipped the puck between his left skate and the goalpost. It was Hamhuis's fourth goal of the season and first in 31 games.
Detroit tied the game on a goal by defenseman Niklas Kronwall with 2:17 left in the first. Johan Franzen sent a cross-ice pass to Kronwall, who was cutting to the right faceoff circle, and he one-timed a shot past Ellis.
Other than that tally, Ellis was stellar for most of the contest. He turned aside nine shots in the first period, 13 in the second and 12 in the third to help the Predators snap a three-game losing streak.
Osgood made 24 saves for the Red Wings, who had a five-game winning streak stopped.
From National Post
Defenseman Dan Hamhuis also tallied and Jerred Smithson added an empty-netter for Nashville, which won at Joe Louis Arena for the first time in seven games dating to March 21, 2006.
With the win, the Predators (36-29-8) moved into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks (35-26-10) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Canucks visit the Dallas Stars later Saturday.
A mixup behind the Detroit net led to Peverley's goal at 6:10 of the second period that snapped a 1-1 tie. Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood left the puck behind the net, but Peverley beat defenseman Niklas Kronwall to the loose puck and tucked it into the corner of the net before Osgood could recover.
Smithson sealed the victory with an empty-net tally with 18 ticks left in the contest.
Hamhuis opened the scoring at 10:27 of the opening session when he skated in on Osgood and slipped the puck between his left skate and the goalpost. It was Hamhuis's fourth goal of the season and first in 31 games.
Detroit tied the game on a goal by defenseman Niklas Kronwall with 2:17 left in the first. Johan Franzen sent a cross-ice pass to Kronwall, who was cutting to the right faceoff circle, and he one-timed a shot past Ellis.
Other than that tally, Ellis was stellar for most of the contest. He turned aside nine shots in the first period, 13 in the second and 12 in the third to help the Predators snap a three-game losing streak.
Osgood made 24 saves for the Red Wings, who had a five-game winning streak stopped.
From National Post
Jerry Reed & Chet Atkin's - "Jerry's Breakdown"
A couple of classic pickers. It seems Jerry can play a guitar as good as he can drive an eighteen wheeler loaded with contraband hooch!
Los Angeles Kings @ Nashville Predators (3/13/08)
The Predators drop a crucial home game to the Kings.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators (3/11/08)
Despite a flurry of activity around the Sharks' net at the end, the Predators couldn't manage to even the score and lost yet another game to their Western Conference rivals.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings (3/9/08)
Try as they might, the Preds fall a little short of a miraculous comeback against the arch-rival Red Wings.
Eddie Rabbit - "Driving My Life Away"
A fitting song to mark the end of the Predators six game road trip.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Nashville Predators @ Calgary Flames (3/7/08)
The Predators put out the Flames in overtime to hang on to a tenuous 8th seed in the playoff hunt.
Friday, March 7, 2008
One-on-One with Predators Chairman David Freeman
With today marking the three-month anniversary of Predators Holding's purchase of the team, NashvillePredators.com grabbed some time with David Freeman, the team's new Chairman, to discuss his first three months on the job, the state of the team, and the plans for next season.
NashvillePredators.com: Today is the three-month anniversary of the press conference announcing your purchase ofthe team. Can you assess your first three months?
David Freeman: Busy. I think more than anything, just very busy. We obviously have a lot of work to do. The good news is there's a lot of high quality people in the organization doing that work. We think we're making some really good progress and I think it's showing up in terms of the attendance up tick that we've seen. The attendance levels have been up dramatically the last couple of weeks. We're seeing it in the new sponsorship deals we've been announcing. It's been busy, but it's been very productive. Obviously the team's performance has contributed greatly to our ability to get people to listen to our message.
NP.com: How is attendance tracking this season?
DF: Since we bought the team I think it's been tracking very well. We've had, what, three or four sellouts since we bought the team on December 7 and we've come real close on two other occasions. There's no question the building will be sold out for the Red Wings game (March 20). There's no question it will be sold out for our remaining Saturday game (March 22 vs. Chicago). If the team continues to be in the playoff
picture, I expect the possibility we could come close on all seven of the remaining regular season games.
The city of Nashville seems to have responded to this hockey team extremely well. There seems to be a connection to the team that maybe didn't exist in the past. Certainly a lot of that credit goes to the guys (in the locker room). They've busted their butts this year and here they are right on the cusp of a playoff berth. I think the city has responded to these guys and the effort they've put forth, just as much as is has to the fact that there's a new ownership group that lives here and cares a great deal about the city.
NP.com: Can you assess Nashville as a "hockey market?"
DF: I don't know that I'm in a position to answer that question. Time will tell. But I think that there's obviously a much greater awareness of the team and what the team means to the city. Even for those who might not have been hockey fans in the past – and maybe they're still not – but I think there's a huge awareness of the team and what it means to the city. Sometimes you don't know what you've got until you almost lost it. I think that definitely applies in this situation.
NP.com: From a business aspect, how is the team doing?
DF: We're right on our projections, so we're pleased with where we are from a business standpoint. We think we're well on our way to our stated goal of making this a stable, viable business enterprise. We're not in it to make a profit, but we do need to make sure that it's a good stable business. And we're well on pace for that.
NP.com: How important has it been to bring some former sponsors back into the fold?
DF: We appreciate every one of them. All of our sponsors are important. And we have a lot more room for more. But we really appreciate the new sponsorship dollars. They're greatly needed. And I think it's just as important – perhaps more important – to continue to say thank you to our long-time sponsors that have been with this franchise for years, many since Day 1.
NP.com: You have two young children. How have they reacted to dad as an owner of a professional sports team?
DF: Honestly we don't talk about it. It's just not something that I have ever talked to them about. Now their friends … umm. I think they get most of their information from their classmates. But they have really enjoyed coming to the games and have become big fans very quickly, just like I have. Miller, one of my sons, plays hockey down in the playroom and unfortunately I'm his goalie. So, the only good news is at least he's using a tennis ball rather than a hockey puck to shoot at me.
NP.com: How involved were you at the Trade Deadline?
DF: I sat and I observed and continued to tell David Poile that he was the man. I observed and really that was it.
NP.com: How was your first experience with the NHL Trade Deadline?
DF: You know it's certainly a little thrilling after growing up for decades watching the NFL Draft and the "war rooms" on draft day. Trade Deadline Day in the NHL is probably very similar to that; the amount of activity going on. There were a lot of teams calling us, asking for some of our younger player and we just like them too much to give them up.
NP.com: What was it like to be in the war room during Deadline Day?
DF: I think it left me with an even greater level of confidence. I walked into a room of career hockey professionals; together in one room debating the merits of every potential move you could think of. Just seeing the talent and the experience and the expertise in the room with all our hockey ops guys and all our scouts. It certainly made me feel good the right people were having the discussions and making the decisions.
NP.com: Recently NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visited Nashville. How important was that for the organization? What was it like for you to spend the day with the Commissioner?
DF: Well, Commissioner and I have spent a lot of time together over the past year, so we've got quite a relationship now. It was good for him to come to Nashville and be able to see the enthusiasm in our core fans. I think he was a little stunned – and has even mentioned it in
conversations since he left Nashville – about the number of people who showed up for the Town Hall Meeting. I think the Nashville hockey community gets "it." In the sense that he got two standing ovations when he was here. And he'll be the first to tell you that's not his standard greeting. What I think that says is that the Nashville hockey community understands just how much he has gone out on a limb in terms of believing in us as a city. And we really appreciate the support that he's given us and his belief in Nashville. So it was very gratifying to see the reception he got here in town. It was well deserved. And much appreciated by him. And so was (Nashville Tennessean columnist) David Climer's column the following day, where I think he recognized what Gary has done for Nashville.
NP.com: Have you starting planning the budget for next season?
DF: Sure. Yes. Strategically it's probably not good for us to talk about that publicly for competitive reasons. Our budget will be significantly higher than it was this year. In fact, I'm quite certain we will spend more on payroll next year than at any time in the history of the club. We're that committed to building this team right back up.
NP.com: Can you comment on the three players you've already re-signed?
DF: Very happy. I think J.P. Dumont's having a career year and not just in terms of goals, but his line with Arnott and Radulov; they're playing spectacular. I'm not sure there's a line in hockey more productive than they are right now. I'm not sure you can over state the importance of what that line has done for this team. If you remember back at the beginning of the season everybody was talking about, "there's no scoring on this team." As it stands we have the third highest scoring team in the Western Conference this year. J.P. and that line have been instrumental in that.
We're thrilled to be able to hang on to David Legwand. He's our organization's first draft pick. And Jordin Tootoo; it's great that Tootoo is incredibly popular. It's great that he brings so much energy to the game. The whole building just kind of lights up when he's out on the ice. But this year's been a breakout year for Jordin, too, because he's scoring. He's not there just to agitate or just to fight. He's there to play hockey this year. And he's proven that he's a threat. It's certainly wonderful that everybody loves him and that he's there for his teammates. When we go back to what I said about the team being the third highest scoring team in the Western Conference, it's because there's guys like Tootoo and Nichol that have stepped up and are scoring this year, more than in year's past.
(From NashvillePredators.com)
NashvillePredators.com: Today is the three-month anniversary of the press conference announcing your purchase ofthe team. Can you assess your first three months?
David Freeman: Busy. I think more than anything, just very busy. We obviously have a lot of work to do. The good news is there's a lot of high quality people in the organization doing that work. We think we're making some really good progress and I think it's showing up in terms of the attendance up tick that we've seen. The attendance levels have been up dramatically the last couple of weeks. We're seeing it in the new sponsorship deals we've been announcing. It's been busy, but it's been very productive. Obviously the team's performance has contributed greatly to our ability to get people to listen to our message.
NP.com: How is attendance tracking this season?
DF: Since we bought the team I think it's been tracking very well. We've had, what, three or four sellouts since we bought the team on December 7 and we've come real close on two other occasions. There's no question the building will be sold out for the Red Wings game (March 20). There's no question it will be sold out for our remaining Saturday game (March 22 vs. Chicago). If the team continues to be in the playoff
picture, I expect the possibility we could come close on all seven of the remaining regular season games.The city of Nashville seems to have responded to this hockey team extremely well. There seems to be a connection to the team that maybe didn't exist in the past. Certainly a lot of that credit goes to the guys (in the locker room). They've busted their butts this year and here they are right on the cusp of a playoff berth. I think the city has responded to these guys and the effort they've put forth, just as much as is has to the fact that there's a new ownership group that lives here and cares a great deal about the city.
NP.com: Can you assess Nashville as a "hockey market?"
DF: I don't know that I'm in a position to answer that question. Time will tell. But I think that there's obviously a much greater awareness of the team and what the team means to the city. Even for those who might not have been hockey fans in the past – and maybe they're still not – but I think there's a huge awareness of the team and what it means to the city. Sometimes you don't know what you've got until you almost lost it. I think that definitely applies in this situation.
NP.com: From a business aspect, how is the team doing?
DF: We're right on our projections, so we're pleased with where we are from a business standpoint. We think we're well on our way to our stated goal of making this a stable, viable business enterprise. We're not in it to make a profit, but we do need to make sure that it's a good stable business. And we're well on pace for that.
NP.com: How important has it been to bring some former sponsors back into the fold?
DF: We appreciate every one of them. All of our sponsors are important. And we have a lot more room for more. But we really appreciate the new sponsorship dollars. They're greatly needed. And I think it's just as important – perhaps more important – to continue to say thank you to our long-time sponsors that have been with this franchise for years, many since Day 1.
NP.com: You have two young children. How have they reacted to dad as an owner of a professional sports team?
DF: Honestly we don't talk about it. It's just not something that I have ever talked to them about. Now their friends … umm. I think they get most of their information from their classmates. But they have really enjoyed coming to the games and have become big fans very quickly, just like I have. Miller, one of my sons, plays hockey down in the playroom and unfortunately I'm his goalie. So, the only good news is at least he's using a tennis ball rather than a hockey puck to shoot at me.
NP.com: How involved were you at the Trade Deadline?
DF: I sat and I observed and continued to tell David Poile that he was the man. I observed and really that was it.
NP.com: How was your first experience with the NHL Trade Deadline?
DF: You know it's certainly a little thrilling after growing up for decades watching the NFL Draft and the "war rooms" on draft day. Trade Deadline Day in the NHL is probably very similar to that; the amount of activity going on. There were a lot of teams calling us, asking for some of our younger player and we just like them too much to give them up.NP.com: What was it like to be in the war room during Deadline Day?
DF: I think it left me with an even greater level of confidence. I walked into a room of career hockey professionals; together in one room debating the merits of every potential move you could think of. Just seeing the talent and the experience and the expertise in the room with all our hockey ops guys and all our scouts. It certainly made me feel good the right people were having the discussions and making the decisions.
NP.com: Recently NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visited Nashville. How important was that for the organization? What was it like for you to spend the day with the Commissioner?
DF: Well, Commissioner and I have spent a lot of time together over the past year, so we've got quite a relationship now. It was good for him to come to Nashville and be able to see the enthusiasm in our core fans. I think he was a little stunned – and has even mentioned it in
conversations since he left Nashville – about the number of people who showed up for the Town Hall Meeting. I think the Nashville hockey community gets "it." In the sense that he got two standing ovations when he was here. And he'll be the first to tell you that's not his standard greeting. What I think that says is that the Nashville hockey community understands just how much he has gone out on a limb in terms of believing in us as a city. And we really appreciate the support that he's given us and his belief in Nashville. So it was very gratifying to see the reception he got here in town. It was well deserved. And much appreciated by him. And so was (Nashville Tennessean columnist) David Climer's column the following day, where I think he recognized what Gary has done for Nashville.NP.com: Have you starting planning the budget for next season?
DF: Sure. Yes. Strategically it's probably not good for us to talk about that publicly for competitive reasons. Our budget will be significantly higher than it was this year. In fact, I'm quite certain we will spend more on payroll next year than at any time in the history of the club. We're that committed to building this team right back up.
NP.com: Can you comment on the three players you've already re-signed?
DF: Very happy. I think J.P. Dumont's having a career year and not just in terms of goals, but his line with Arnott and Radulov; they're playing spectacular. I'm not sure there's a line in hockey more productive than they are right now. I'm not sure you can over state the importance of what that line has done for this team. If you remember back at the beginning of the season everybody was talking about, "there's no scoring on this team." As it stands we have the third highest scoring team in the Western Conference this year. J.P. and that line have been instrumental in that.We're thrilled to be able to hang on to David Legwand. He's our organization's first draft pick. And Jordin Tootoo; it's great that Tootoo is incredibly popular. It's great that he brings so much energy to the game. The whole building just kind of lights up when he's out on the ice. But this year's been a breakout year for Jordin, too, because he's scoring. He's not there just to agitate or just to fight. He's there to play hockey this year. And he's proven that he's a threat. It's certainly wonderful that everybody loves him and that he's there for his teammates. When we go back to what I said about the team being the third highest scoring team in the Western Conference, it's because there's guys like Tootoo and Nichol that have stepped up and are scoring this year, more than in year's past.
(From NashvillePredators.com)
Canucks' Bieksa Avoids Suspension for Predators Incident
VANCOUVER - Vancouver Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa will not be suspended for his part in a late-game melee Thursday night against the Nashville Predators.
Bieksa was slapped with an instigator penalty in the final minute of the Canucks' 6-2 victory over Nashville and National Hockey League rules call for an automatic one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final five minutes. However, the league does review each incident and, in Bieksa's case, ruled the suspension wasn't warranted.
Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo avoided suspension as well for his late-game major boarding penalty that injured Canuck defenceman Aaron Miller. Tootoo also drove his stick into the face of Canuck rookie Luc Bourdon following the hit in Miller.
(From the Vancouver Sun)
Steve Earle & Emmylou Harris - "Goodbye"
Recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Emmylou Harris joins Steve Earle for a classic duet.
Greg DeVries vs. Kevin Bieksa Fight (3/3/08)
Predators' defenseman Greg de Vries lands a knock-down blow after receiving a pretty good one from the Canucks' Kevin Bieksa. Bieksa received an instigator and misconduct, while de Vries bagged a double game misconduct. Other penalties handed out in the same scuffle include Scott Nichol for roughing, Dan Hamhuis a game misconduct, and Ryan Shannon a game misconduct.
Nashville Predators @ Vancouver Canucks (3/6/08)
Predators defense and goaltending continues to be a problem as the Preds drop a critical road game to the Western Conference rival Canucks.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Nashville Predators @ Edmonton Oilers (3/4/08)
Martin Erat records his first career hat trick as the Predators light up the Oilers and stay in the playoff hunt.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Dierks Bentley - "Long Trip Alone" (Official Video)
What do you know? As it turns out, recreational ice hockey phenom Dierks Bentley has been dabbling in music.
Jordin Tootoo vs. Adam Mair Fight (2/27/08)
Wow, Adam Mair may think again before engaging "the little engine that could" in fisticuffs. Toot toot!
Darcy Hordichuk vs. Andrew Peters Fight (2/27/08)
The Predators' Darcy Hordichuk has a little pre-faceoff discussion with the Sabre's Andrew Peters before dropping the mitts.
Nashville Predators @ Buffalo Sabres (2/27/08)
The Predators chose not to play a lot of defense in this high scoring game where the Sabres just always seemed to be at the right place at the right time.