Just Chill… The NHLPA seems to be taking that ill-fated advice hiring Richard Rodier as an “economic consultant.” The mouthpiece for Jim Balsillie, author of failed attempts to wrest an NHL franchises from Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Phoenix now is working with Donald Fehr and the NHLPA.

This could be perceived as a shot across the bow to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in advance of the next CBA negotiations. It could also be perceived as a questionable decision by new NHLPA head Donald Fehr. Considering some of the shady tactics executed by Rodier (documented by former owner Craig Leipold) in Balsillie’s attempt to buy the Nashville franchise, you have to wonder if the PA has hired their next Allan Eagleson.

Things just got a lot more interesting.

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Game Night in Vancouver as the Nashville Predators take on the conference leading Canucks, in their last game before the All-Star break. Tonight’s game finishes off a season-long six game road trip for Nashville and also finishes off a very successful January. Vancouver is coming off a 7-1 demolishing of Pacific leading Dallas. Tonight marks the first meeting of the season between these two clubs.

Nashville enjoyed a needed off day yesterday after a lot of travel and a back-to-back, enjoying one of the most beautiful cities in North America, but it is back to business before the break. Tonight is one of those games that require more focus than usual, given the vacations and break time that is in front of the team. It can be easy to look past, but games like this can be critical to the tea’s ultimate positioning come playoff time with two valuable points on the line and a chance to creep closer to division leading Detroit.

Rogers Arena has been pretty good to the Predators, they have split their games there in each of the past five seasons. Puck drop is at 9:08pm Central, coverage on 102.9 the Buzz and Fox Sports Tennessee.

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Random Notes

- The shuffle in the West continues, Colorado is back in the top eight, San Jose has dropped out. Anaheim has tied the Predators for 4th, however the Preds have three games in hand on the Ducks… and don’t look now, but here come the Flames. Calgary has moved up to 12th and are only 4 points out of the playoff mix.

- Happy Birthday to the Great One! Wayne Gretzky turns 50 today.

- Philly simply smoked Montreal last night, giving them 71 points at the break, good for the lead in the President’s Trophy race. Chris Pronger is back… he had four assists in the game.

- The NHL announced some rather interesting business news… increased revenue, increased ratings, increased sponsorship.

- The New York Islanders have suspended Evgeny Nabokov for not reporting to the team. Not a good decision from Nabokov… he knew the risks when he went for the cash in the KHL, and if he didn’t know them, he should be blaming his agent for not explaining it to him.

- Think the Islanders are regretting the trade of Dwayne Roloson, he authored his second shutout in a Lightning uniform last night, stopping 26 in their win over the fading Maple Leafs

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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, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…

This week’s show will feature a roundtable discussing the Preds heading into the All-Star break with Jeremy Gover from Section303.com and Ryan Porth from Red Light District Hockey. We will be speaking to Mike Ross from NHL Home Ice’s Hockey This Morning about head shots and the waiver rule on the Hot Sheet, and Pete Weber takes us Behind the Bench with Predators Associate Head Coach Brent Peterson. That’s all on tonight’s SlapShot Radio, 6pm on SportsRadio 560 WNSR.

Podcasts of past episodes are available at the SlapShot Radio podcast page.

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