There are great sagas in hockey just as there are in every other sport out there. Much like the saga of whether or not Brett Favre would be back in the game this year – and ultimately, even though Favre eventually did retire, he came back nhl trade rumors into the game and things heated up even more before the NFL season was underway – fans of the National Hockey League in general and the Toronto Maple Leafs in particular are wondering whether or not Mats Sundin will retire.As of the first week of September, Mats Sundin has not made a formal decision about whether or not he will retire. Despite the fact that free agent Mats Sundin and his agents are talking with the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, the centre is apparently no cl nhl trade rumors September, Mats Sundin has not made a formal decision about whether or not he will retire. Despite the fact that free agent Mats Sundin and his agents are talking with the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, the centre is apparently no closer to answering the question of whether or not he is going to retire.Interviews with Mats Sundin have not been able to get any closer to an answer to the retirement question: Mats Sundin has said that he loves the game and while he was in Toronto to play in a charity hockey game he acknowledged that the arena felt like home. For those who are Maple Leafs fans, this sounds good – particularly since the NHL centre who is Toronto’s franchise leader in both goals and points has received offers from other teams as nhl trade rumors of whether or not he is going to retire.Interviews with Mats Sundin have not been able to get any closer to an answer to the retirement question: Mats Sundin has said that he loves the game and while he was in Toronto to play in a charity hockey game he acknowledged that the arena felt like home. For those who are Maple Leafs fans, this sounds good – particularly since the NHL centre who is Toronto’s franchise leader in both goals and points has received offers from other teams as well (the Montreal Canadians, the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks).Despite the fact that fans and team managers alike are interested in Mats Sundin, however, he has not made a strong commitment to the sport for the coming year; in part, it seems as those Mats Sundin’s desire to retire is the result of a losing season and a failure for his team to make the NHL playoffs.While Sundin was committed to the team and to the sport, it appears that – at least to some extent – thoughts about w nhl trade rumors a charity hockey game he acknowledged that the arena felt like home. For those who are Maple Leafs fans, this sounds good – particularly since the NHL centre who is Toronto’s franchise leader in both goals and points has received offers from other teams as well (the Montreal Canadians, the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks).Despite the fact that fans and team managers alike are interested in Mats Sundin, however, he has not made a strong commitment to the sport for the coming year; in part, it seems as those Mats Sundin’s desire to retire is the result of a losing season and a failure for his team to make the NHL playoffs.While Sundin was committed to the team and to the sport, it appears that – at least to some extent – thoughts about whether or not he will retire are coming up because he wants to be sure that the team is able to benefit from having the right members; in other words, it would appear Mats Sundin has some doubts about whether or not he has the commitment to get back out on the ice for another season.Of course, just because Mats Sundin is thinking about whether or not to retire from the NHL hasn’t kept others from speculating. While some players in the NHL acknowledge that the decision is Sundlin’s alone, nhl trade rumors the Montreal Canadians, the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks).Despite the fact that fans and team managers alike are interested in Mats Sundin, however, he has not made a strong commitment to the sport for the coming year; in part, it seems as those Mats Sundin’s desire to retire is the result of a losing season and a failure for his team to make the NHL playoffs.While Sundin was committed to the team and to the sport, it appears that – at least to some extent – thoughts about whether or not he will retire are coming up because he wants to be sure that the team is able to benefit from having the right members; in other words, it would appear Mats Sundin has some doubts about whether or not he has the commitment to get back out on the ice for another season.Of course, just because Mats Sundin is thinking about whether or not to retire from the NHL hasn’t kept others from speculating. While some players in the NHL acknowledge that the decision is Sundlin’s alone, there’s a recognition that the teams and the fans want to know what his choice will be. Others who are talking with the press are commenting on the probability of Mats Sundin retiring by stating that it does not appear that he is preparing for another season.Whether or not Mats Sundin retires remains to be seen; either way, hockey season is approaching and there are going to be many NHL fans that are simply anxious for it to begin. The season will start; it remains to be seen whether Mats Sundin plays. nhl trade rumors Mats Sundin’s desire to retire is the result of a losing season and a failure for his team to make the NHL playoffs.While Sundin was committed to the team and to the sport, it appears that – at least to some extent – thoughts about whether or not he will retire are coming up because he wants to be sure that the team is able to benefit from having the right members; in other words, it would appear Mats Sundin has some doubts about whether or not he has the commitment to get back out on the ice for another season.Of course, just because Mats Sundin is thinking about whether or not to retire from the NHL hasn’t kept others from speculating. While some players in the NHL acknowledge that the decision is Sundlin’s alone, there’s a recognition that the teams and the fans want to know what his choice will be. Others who are talking with the press are commenting on the probability of Mats Sundin retiring by stating that it does not appear that he is preparing for another season.Whether or not Mats Sundin retires remains to be seen; either way, hockey season is approaching and there are going to be many NHL fans that are simply anxious for it to begin. The season will start; it remains to be seen whether Mats Sundin plays. nhl trade rumors whether or not he will retire are coming up because he wants to be sure that the team is able to benefit from having the right members; in other words, it would appear Mats Sundin has some doubts about whether or not he has the commitment to get back out on the ice for another season.Of course, just because Mats Sundin is thinking about whether or not to retire from the NHL hasn’t kept others from speculating. While some players in the NHL acknowledge that the decision is Sundlin’s alone, there’s a recognition that the teams and the fans want to know what his choice will be. Others who are talking with the press are commenting on the probability of Mats Sundin retiring by stating that it does not appear that he is preparing for another season.Whether or not Mats Sundin retires remains to be seen; either way, hockey season is approaching and there are going to be many NHL fans that are simply anxious for it to begin. The season will start; it remains to be seen whether Mats Sundin plays. nhl trade rumors to get back out on the ice for another season.Of course, just because Mats Sundin is thinking about whether or not to retire from the NHL hasn’t kept others from speculating. While some players in the NHL acknowledge that the decision is Sundlin’s alone, there’s a recognition that the teams and the fans want to know what his choice will be. Others who are talking with the press are commenting on the probability of Mats Sundin retiring by stating that it does not appear that he is preparing for another season.Whether or not Mats Sundin retires remains to be seen; either way, hockey season is approaching and there are going to be many NHL fans that are simply anxious for it to begin. The season will start; it remains to be seen whether Mats Sundin plays. nhl trade rumors a recognition that the teams and the fans want to know what his choice will be. Others who are talking with the press are commenting on the probability of Mats Sundin retiring by stating that it does not appear that he is preparing for another season.Whether or not Mats Sundin retires remains to be seen; either way, hockey season is approaching and there are going to be many NHL fans that are simply anxious for it to begin. The season will start; it remains to be seen whether Mats Sundin plays. nhl trade rumors
It’s time for our regular feature, here are your Sunday Shots. Click here to see the entire album.
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio.
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St. Louis head coach Ken Hitchcock has got to wonder what he has to do in order to beat the Predators in Nashville. After last night’s 3-1 loss at the hands of his good friend Preds head coach Barry Trotz, Hitchcock coached teams have gone 0-11-6-1 inside the not-so-freindly confines of Bridgestone Arena, 18 games in a row. Hitchcock’s last win in Nashville was in February of 2001, when he was the coach of the Dallas Stars. No wonder he compared 501 Broadway to the Roman Colosseum in his post-game comments.
An electric, almost playoff-like atmosphere greeted the teams as they hit the ice. A boisterous contingent of Blues fans made the trek to Music City, the small contingent that normally comes, and the larger contingent that has joined the bandwagon. Just like two weeks earlier, the visiting group tried to take over with chants and cheering that were quickly drowned out by Pred Nation… then silenced by the 2-0 lead the Predators quickly built. It was a fast and furious start to a game that featured everything you want from a hockey game, speed, power, passion, skill plays, hard hits and a nice fight… and just like two weeks ago, the visiting fans were sent home unhappy.
Quite honestly, the only reason the Predators didn;t have a 5-0 lead by the end of the second period was the stellar play of Jaroslav Halak. He single handedly kept his team in the game. The only problem for him was that his counterpart at the other end of the ice was simply better. Pekka Rinne posted his normal outstanding performance, making save after save, including what could’ve been the save of the year on a series of shots as St. Louis was trying to tie things up late in the third period. Rinne positively stoned Blues’ defenseman Kris Russel on back to back point blank chances. That is Rinne at his best. Making the key save at the key time in posting his franchise record 11th consecutive win.
The other key to last night’s win was special teams play. While the Predators power play continues to play well, posting another goal last night, the penalty kill was not looking as good. That changed as the Predators killed off a critical chance in the third period that really was a difference maker in the game.
Last night’s victory improves the Predators record against Central Division teams to 12-2-2, take out the 5-0-1 record against Columbus, and the team still has a sparkling 7-2-1 mark against the cream of the division. That does include their 4-0-0 record over the Blues. They tangle again at the Bridge on 2/23.
The team takes a well-earned day off today to watch the Super Bowl. Next up for the Preds are the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
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Random Notes
- The Predators are back in 4th place in the Western Conference standings, trailing conference leading Detroit by 4 points. Nashville leads St. Louis by 11 point and Chicago by three points. St. Louis has two games in hand over Detroit, Nashville and Chicago.
- Nashville posted it’s 16th sellout of the season last night, matching last year’s total.
- Martin Erat is quietly turning in one helluva season. He had three points last night including the lid-lifter, a surprising slapper from the high slot that Halak is still looking for.
- Really nice piece from Jim Diamond in the Examiner today about Barry Trotz’s presser after the game… read it here. Now there is a man with his priorities in order.
- The Chicago slide has reached five games, not time to panic, but time for serious concern. Wondering if they address the goaltending issue before the trade deadline.
- Somebody break up the Oilers! Nice win over Detroit last night, just wish it would’ve been in regulation… 
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On the next SlapShot Radio
On this week’s SlapShot Radio, we talk with the dean of NHL play-by-play announcers, NBC Sports’ Michael “Doc” Emrick. We preview the Ottawa Senators game with Sens radio analyst Gord Wilson. All this on SlapShot Radio, Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.
To get a fix in the meantime… past episodes are also posted on the SlapShot Radio website.
Click here to listen or download.
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