Predators sign Puustinen to two-year deal

The Nashville Predators announced in a press release that the club has signed right wing Juuso Puustinen to a two-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 on the NHL level and $60,000 on the AHL level in both 2011-12 and 2012-13. The announcement was made Thursday afternoon.

The 23 year old was a fifth round draft pick of the  Calgary Flames in 2006 and played two years of Junior with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

Puustinen spent last season playing with HPK of the Finnish Elite League. The 6-2, 187 pound forward ranked fourth in goals league-wide with 26.  (SM-Liiga), ranking fourth in the league in goals (26), and tied for 20th in points (38). A native of Kuopio, Finland, Puustinen also played two seasons with the Espoo Blues.

Like the signing of Laakso on Wednesday, this move by the Preds is a depth move geared towards stocking the cupboards in Milwaukee.

 

Photo credit: YLE.fi

Horachek gets promoted to Associate Coach and ‘wants to be here’

The Nashville Predators have promoted Assistant Coach Peter Horachek to Associate Coach.

Horachek, who has been with the team since the 2003-04 season, was in the running for the head coaching positions in both Minnesota and Dallas but was passed over.

“I don’t look at it as a negative and I’m not disappointed to the point that I think I’m upset. Yeah, we all want to be a head coach, that’s why we do this game as coaches. We want to get to the point where you are the head coach of a National Hockey League team. That’s obviously expected, but going through the process, getting the recognition, getting people calling you is a real positive situation,” Horachek said about the attention received from other clubs looking for a new coach.

Predators re-sign Teemu Laakso

On Wednesday, the Nashville Predators announced that defenseman Teemu Laakso has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the club. The deal is worth $675,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

The 24 year old has spent most of last season in Milwaukee, but was called up to Nashville on three occasions, including during the Predators playoff run. Laakso did see action in one contest for the Predators on October 23rd. In three seasons, Laakso has played 8 games for the Predators.

In 152 games for Milwaukee, Laakso has recorded 14 goals and 38 assists for 52 points. During the 2010-11 campaign, Laakso picked up 8 goals and 22 assists for 30 points in 74 games.

Laakso isn’t expected to be on the opening night roster for the Predators, but if needed can fill a stay-at-home defenceman role in case of injury.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Elite Edge Hockey Showcase wraps up Wednesday

If the anticipation of Wednesday night’s game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals has rendered you useless at work, head down to A-Game Sportsplex in Cool Springs Wednesday morning between 8 am – 1 pm to watch the Elite Edge Hockey Showcase wrap up.

The showcase, run by Predators Manager of Hockey Operations Brandon Walker, is now in its 7th year. Wednesday will highlight camp games and awards will be handed out.

There are two programs, one for Juniors, players between the ages of 16-19 who are thinking about trying out for junior or making college selections. The other program consists of Development for skaters between the ages of 14-15. The younger players will be educated on creating the right path for them in hockey as well as learning the differences between AAA and Junior programs.

There are 220 players from 27 different states at this summer’s event. Former Predator Jim McKenzie is coaching the camp and NBC/Versus analysis Darren Eliot is coaching the goaltenders.

College teams and several OHL teams have representatives in attendance.

The event is open to the public.

Lambert promoted to Nashville, Korn re-signs as goaltending coach

The Nashville Predators will have a new assistant coach behind the bench at the start of the 2011-12 season.  Lane Lambert has been promoted from his job as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators American Hockey League affiliate.

Lambert had a 178-103-28 record in four seasons with the Admirals. Milwaukee made the playoffs each year that Lambert was at the helm. During his four seasons as head coach in the AHL, 25 players have played for both the Ads and the Predators, including 17 of the 33 players who wore a Predators jersey this past season.

“I’ve been in the organization for 5 years and today is an exciting day for me,” Lambert said about the promotion to Nashville. Before being promoted to head coach, Lambert was the assistant coach to Claude Noel during the 2006-07 season.

Ellis recognized for leadership by OHL

Predators prospect Ryan Ellis has been awarded the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy.  The honor is given to the OHL captain  judged to be exemplify leadership skills both on and off the ice.

In a press release from the OHL, Ellis expressed gratitude for being selected.

“It is always exciting to win personal awards but to receive one that recognizes your leadership is extra special for me,” Ellis said.

Predators sign defenseman Victor Bartley to two-year contract

On Tuesday afternoon, the Nashville Predators announced they signed 23 year old Victor Bartley to a two-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 on the National Hockey League level and $67,500 on the American Hockey League level. The contract runs through the 2012-13 season.

 

This past season, Bartley played in Sweden’s second division (with Rogle) and ranked second in points and assists for defensemen with 11 goals, 23 assists and 34 points in 52 games played.

Bartley is from Maple Ridge, British Columbia and played junior in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and the Regina Pats between 2004-2009. The 6’0 blueliner picked up 36 goals and 132 assists (as well as 466 penalty minutes) in 336 games.

Important off-season dates and events for Predators fans

As the off season starts to settle in, Predators fans do have some activities to look forward to this summer.

Up first is the NHL Awards show in Vegas on June 22nd. Tickets are on sale now as fans are allowed and encouraged to attend. If you can’t attend in person, the event will be aired live at 6 pm CT on Versus in the United States and on CBC in Canada.

 

Signing Weber is the Predators main priority this off season

Jay Mohr is hosting the event for the second year in a row. In a press release issued by the NHL, Mohr stated that he was “really excited to return to Las Vegas for the 2011 NHL Awards in June.” Mohr added that he “had a great time hosting the event last year and look[s] forward to celebrating thos season’s top hockey performances — and the chance to poke a little fun, too.”

As free agency looms, Predators captain Shea Weber isn’t going anywhere

As the off season for the Nashville Predators begins so continues speculation about free agency. General Manager David Poile says signing restricted free agent Shea Weber to a new deal is the Predators top priority.

 

While the Predators and Weber’s agent have met a couple of times during the season, negotiations were put off until Nashville’s season was over.

“They definitely want to wrap it up before July 1,” Poile said about the possibility of having Weber signed to a deal before the July 1st deadline.

If the Predators sign Weber to a new deal or if salary arbitration is sought before July 1st, other teams will not be able to sign the All-Star defenseman to an offer sheet. If the deadline passes and an offer sheet is signed, the Predators can still match it.

Nashville’s historic season ends, Canucks move on to Western Conference finals

Nashville lost another one-goal game as the Vancouver Canucks edged the Predators 2-1 to win the Western Conference semi final series in six games. Every game in the series was decided by a single goal, with the exception of Game 4 when Henrik Sedin scored an empty net tally to give the Canucks a two-goal cushion.

“Before we start,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said as he sat down for his post game press conference, “I just want to congratulate the Vancouver Canucks. I thought they played a great series and obviously the coaching staff did a great job.”

The Predators came out Monday night and dominated the first period of play in shots, outshooting the Canucks 11-7, but at the end of 20 minutes trailed 2-0.

“We played well.” Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said about Nashville’s  first period. “I think they only had a couple chances in the first period. They executed both of those. Those were playoff goals — lucky bounces and they put it in the back of the net.”