Hockey Bits

I find it interesting that in this article the Preds are mentioned first. We are the poster-child of teams that can be killed in this lockout. I think that other markets, such as Pheonix and Carolina, are more in trouble. And I wonder about Pitt, having no idea how this underfunded team will do financially during a lockout. I also wonder about a team like Chicago, whose attendance has really dwindled in the past few years, Original Six or not. Just more proof that fans won't show in most cities if you put a loser on the ice year after year, traditional market or not!

Here's a fun, idiotic statement from that article, which I think is the author trying to make his point, and not really a statement of reality:

"This is NASCAR and football country," said Susce, the Nashville ticket broker. "The Predators were fun when they opened, but it's not like we'll really miss them if we go."

Or maybe I'm crazy. I think last year made a big impression on Nashville, and that this can last if they keep a winner on the ice.

Timonen speaks in this article.

Most of the players are preparing to return to Finland where they will rejoin club teams in their hometowns.

Defenseman Kimmo Timonen will, however, be heading back to Nashville where his children attend school. Named to the tournament all-star team, Timonen will wait out the first few months of the lockout in the Music City. If the season is scuttled, he will return home to play for a club team he and Philadelphia Flyers winger Sami Kapanen own.

"I haven't thought about it at all yet," Timonen said. "The only thing you think about is how we could have won this game."

But the slick defenseman acknowledged this dispute comes at a crucial time for the Nashville Predators. Last spring, after five years of frustration, the Predators broke through with their first playoff berth. Fans that had been slow to embrace the club, rallied around the Preds' playoff push and through an exciting first-round loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Now? No one, not Bettman, not his alter ego NHLPA boss Bob Goodenow, can say.

"I do worry about it," Timonen said. "I think now we're going in the right direction. We have a lot of young guys. Now, we realize what it takes to make the playoffs. It's too bad if something else happens now.

"My first thought is I hope there is an NHL season."

Slow to embrace the club??? We were quick to embrace it that first year, but they forgot to win games and make the playoffs and stuff! If you put a consistent winner on the ice, we show up every game, and in good numbers, if not a sellout! Goodness, the national media just makes assumptions.