Steve Sullivan was clearly moved when it was announced that he had won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy which is awarded tot he player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."

I can imagine that there was a time when Sullivan thought he might not ever play hockey again, never mind win an award.  He was sidelined for almost two years as he recovered from a serious back injury and once he returned to the Nashville Predators lineup, he registered 11 goals and 32 points in 42 games.

He thanked his teammates for always believing in him and, of course, his family for their support.  He beat out Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios and Florida forward Richard Zednik (who returned after a horrifying freak accident left him with a slashed throat).

image: NHL.com

This was a fun little video from NHL.com providing a quick glimpse into the at-home life of Nashville Predators goaltender, Dan Ellis.  He seems like a really great husband and father and his little baby is so cute.

Jason Arnott might have been out of the lineup for a short time with an injury but he wasn’t showing any signs of strain tonight as he scored 2 goals to help lift the Nashville Predators over the Carolina Hurricanes.  He wasn’t the only Pred to put in a double effort - Shea Weber also contributed 2 goals in the 5-2 victory. 

I have to talk about the first goal of the night.  J.P. Dumont fed a pass across the crease to Arnott and it was just a sweet, sweet goal.  Arnott’s second goal really should have been saved by Cam Ward who, at times, seemed to be struggling (he ended up making 25 saves, though). 

What are your thoughts about Weber as a contender for the Norris Trophy?  If he keeps playing like he did tonight, I can’t imagine him not deserving it.

Watch the highlights here:

Nashville Predators @ Washington Capitals - October 28, 2008

Despite being shorthanded (star player, Alexander Ovechkin, is away in Russia visiting his sick grandfather), the Washington Capitals skated away with a shootout victory over the visiting Nashville Predators, despite the standout performance of Jason Arnott (Preds).

Here is the scoring summary:

• NSH: Koistinen, V. (PPG, 13:59 in 1st), Arnott, J. (11:21 in 2nd), Arnott, J. (13:24 in 3rd)
• WSH: Kozlov, V. (12:13 in 1st), Steckel, D. (SHG, 15:38 in 1st), Semin, A. (PPG, 01:58 in 3rd)

*NHL Video has not become available for this game’s highlights*

image credit: TSN

The Nashville Predators took an early 2-goal lead over the Calgary Flames tonight and, with how the Flames have been playing in the third period so far this season, it didn’t look too promising.  Some way, some how, the team pulled it together and, in the 5-3 victory, Calgary captain, Jarome Iginla was central since he scored a hat trick.  “It’s a good sign for us,” said Miikka Kiprusoff, who made 35 saves. “You just have to keep believing there is still time. It was an unbelievable comeback and huge points for us.”  Here is the scoring summary:

• CGY: Iginla, J. (14:04 in 2nd), Iginla, J. (06:52 in 3rd), Moss, D. (08:05 in 3rd), Cammalleri, M. (PPG, 12:31 in 3rd), Iginla, J. (19:57 in 3rd)
• NSH: Zanon, G. (05:42 in 2nd), Tootoo, J. (06:01 in 2nd), Arnott, J. (PPG, 08:10 in 2nd)

Watch the video highlights:

I really hope we don’t see more like this situation with Alexander Radulov and the Nashville Predators.  During the off-season he says he let the Preds know that he wanted to go and play in the Russian league (he actually signed a one-year deal with UFA of the Russian super league KHL) even though he had a year remaining on his NHL contract.  The Preds set a deadline of September 1, 2008 for him to notify them of his return and, since that has now passed, the team has had to suspend him without pay for the 2008-2009 season. 

David Poile, the president and GM of the Nashville Predators released the following statement:

“We are disappointed Alex will not be with the Predators at the start of this season.  He is a world class player who demonstrated last season, with 26 goals and 58 points, that he is an emerging NHL talent. However, since he has not responded to our recent correspondence, we must move forward with our plans for the coming season.

At some point, we hope Alex will have a desire to return to the NHL and compete in the best league in the world, with and against the best competition. We will re-visit his status at that time.

Until then, we are focused on the players who are representing the Predators and providing them the necessary support and guidance. We will not allow Alex’s situation to be a distraction and, as such, will have no further comment on Alex or his situation.”

Okay, first of all, I don’t know if it’s really a good idea to say that the NHL is the best league in the world.  It sounds kinda lame, actually, even if you do believe that.  I understand Poile’s intentions but I think it was just not a good move.  I also wonder if Radulov even cares.  If he has a good one-year deal, he doesn’t give a crap if they suspend him, does he?

image credit: TSN

The Nashville Predators have traded defenseman, Janne Niskala, to the Philadelphia Flyers, in exchange for forward Triston Grant and their seventh round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Niskala is a decent addition.  Last season, he posted 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points and 81 penalty minutes in 80 regular season games for the Predators’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

Image details: Detroit Red Wings v Nashville Predators - Game Six served by picapp.com

The Nashville Predators are securing their lineups for the next few seasons and have extended multi-year contracts to defenceman, Shea Weber, and goaltender, Dan Ellis.

Weber, who had 20 points in 54 games this past season, signed a US$13.5-million, three-year deal.  Ellis, who posted a 23-10-3 record, a 2.34 goals-against average, an NHL-leading .924 save percentage and six incredible shutouts got a $3.5-million, two-year contract.

I was expecting a little more for Ellis… what do you think of that deal?

The Detroit Red Wings have swept the Colorado Avalanche, but to get there, they battled the Nashville Predators in round one of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here are the best moments from that series.

Oh, the heartbreak for the Nashville Predators.  I really wanted to see them advance but they were eliminated from the quarterfinals last night but the Detroit Red Wings on their own home ice.  Not only did they lose, but they were shut out 3-0.  Ouch.  Here’s the scoring summary:

DET: Lidstrom, N. (SHG, 13:44 in 2nd), Hudler, J. (03:52 in 3rd), Rafalski, B. (19:55 in 3rd)

Here are the highlights: