- As August begins, the excitement starts, the season is just around the corner, but there are still free agents out there for the taking. Forwards like Teemu Selanne, Bill Guerin, Mike Modano and John Madden could add experience and leadership. Blueliners like Kim Johnsson and Willie Mitchell would be great adds for a team looking for some stability at D. Plenty of goaltending help is available as well in Marty Turco, Jose Theodore and potentially, Antii Niemi.

- Some drama remaining (besides the Kovalchuk soap opera) in the RFA ranks, with names like Bobby Ryan, Marc Staal and the Pred’s own Patric Hornqvist still out there.

- Plenty of rumors out there that the Preds and Hornqvist are close to a deal.

- Interesting times for the Stanley Cup champs. Blackhawk’s goaltender Antii Niemi was awarded $2.75 million in his arbitration hearing, a decision from the team is expected today. Reports from Chicago indicate that Marty Turco may be the new man between the pipes in Chi-town and the Hawks will walk away from Niemi… stay tuned!

- NHL.com published a Bleacher Report grading the offseason for each NHL team. For Nashville they list the Preds signings as Kostitsyn, Lundmark, Palin and Parent… they list the departures as Ellis, Grant, Hamhuis and Yonkman. According to the author, Nashville’s biggest loss was Dan Ellis. Wow… nothing about the loss of Jason Arnott (missing it in the NJ review as well), and nothing about the signing of Lombardi! The grade for this column is an incomplete…

- A big week for Predator’s ownership as the Chapter 11 bankruptcy hearing is Friday. It is expected that the shares of the team formerly owned by Boots Del Biaggio will be sold to the existing ownership group, ending a sad piece of Nashville history.

- Sixty eight days to opening night… but who’s counting…

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I’ll be sitting in with Greg Pogue on the Morning Sports Page tomorrow morning at 6am on Sports Radio 560 WNSR… tune in for some early morning puck talk.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating with starting lineups and scratches during Pred home games, also I’ll be supplying information and explanations from the PA box.

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

SlapShot Radio is on hiatus until September… however, pre-season advertising specials are available. Join our returning advertisers who already know, advertising on SlapShot Radio is a cost-effective way to reach out to hockey fans all over North America. Send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll get you information on joining the SlapShot Radio family.

For the most updated guest information go to the SlapShot Radio website. Our special season finale edition of SlapShot Radio from 7/1/10 is now posted at SlapShotRadio.com.

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