UPDATE - 12:32pm - Observers at practice this morning have told me that Wade Belak was playing defense and that Ryan Suter was on site, but not on ice.

Still no official update on Suter's condition or status for tomorrow night in Columbus. The team flies out this afternoon.

UPDATE - 12:40pm - Rumors are out that Jonathan Blum has been called up... no confirmation on that yet.

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Before I get to my Monday Morning Notes, I have to call out the local NBC affiliate for preempting the “Hockey Day in America” initial coverage yesterday. I’d like to relate the content that middle Tennessee hockey fans missed… but I couldn’t watch it, however, I did find a business that I won’t be visiting.

One more time, hockey fans get shortchanged by WSMV. If you’re not going to carry it on the main channel… then get creative and carry it on a sub-channel, where anyone with rabbit ears at least has a chance to watch. On to my…

Random Notes

- Lots of chatter regarding the officiating in Saturday night’s loss to Phoenix. All I can say is that Shane Doan deserves a suspension for the hit on Suter, but I won’t hold my breath on it…

- The Western Conference standings update… The Predators still stand 5th, two points behind San Jose with a game in hand. Nashville is tied in points with 6th place Calgary, but holds two games in hand. a four way tie at 68 points follows, tie-breaker determine order Minnesota 7th, Dallas 8th, Los Angeles 9th. Anaheim 10th. Chicago is two points back of the pack at 68, Columbus is four back.

- Tonight’s impact game – Chicago and St. Louis tangle at Scottrade Center.

- Four very good games yesterday as part of Hockey Day in America, topped off by a snoozer in the Heritage Classic, kudos to NHL.com for the free access to GameCenter Live.

- OK… the Flames uniforms in yesterday’s Heritage Classic… really? I don’t want to hear another complaint about the old mustard thirds…

- Not to be outdone… what up with Carey Price’s new mask? His teammates referred to it as “creepy.” Who can argue with that assessment?

- Heads are still being scratched over the Colorado / St. Louis trade that sent Erik Johnson and Jay McClement to the Av’s for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. One week left in crazy season…

- Who’s Hot – In the East it’s continues to be the New Jersey Devils, they’ve won seven straight and have gone 8-0-1 in their last ten. Don’t look now, but they are only 10 points out of the playoff mix… stranger things have happened. In the West it’s the Phoenix and San Jose are both 8-2-0 in their last ten.

- Who’s Not – In the east, the Buffalo Sabres and the Atlanta Thrashers are on three game losing streaks and both have dropped out of the top eight. In the West, the Colorado Avalanche are winless in their last ten and have fallen 11 points off the pace.

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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…

Wednesday’s show will be live from the Flying Saucer behind Union Staion. We’re chatting with former NHL enforcer and current TSN broadcaster Matthew Barnaby, we’ll preview Thursday night’s Central Division showdown with the Chicago Blackhawks and we’ll go Behind the Bench with Preds bench boss Barry Trotz. That’s all at 6pm central, Wednesday, live from the Flying Saucer downtown… c’mon out and join us!



Download past episodes at the SlapShot Radio podcast page.

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