Heads Up: Predators TV Guy Hit by Puck During Interview

((ht: cbssports.com))

Look out Willy Daunic!

If you've ever spent time around a hockey rink chances are you've seen a puck go flying over the glass and into the stands. It's one of the reasons during games, most arenas won't let you walk the isles during game action.

It happens a lot at practice too.

Check out what happened Tuesday to Nashville Predators TV guy Willy Daunic as he was taping an interview during morning skate before the Preds nighttime game with the St. Louis Blues.

Yes, that's a flying puck that hits Daunic square in the noggin while he's talking. But the part we are impressed with--Daunic kept going, never stopping the interview.

DEVELOPING: Trotz Dismissed In Nashville

((HT: NHL))

The only head coach the Nashville Predators have ever had has been let go...

After fifteen seasons, but not making the playoffs in the last couple Barry Trotz was dismissed from the position. He was offered a position in hockey operations for the franchise.

From the team:

“Our organization has high expectations and we have not met them in the past two seasons,” Poile said of making the most difficult decision of his 30-plus year general manager career. “As a result, it is my decision and determination that we need a new voice and a new direction. Our change in direction began over a year ago as we have made several personnel changes, including trading of long-time veteran players and a change to our coaching staff last offseason. Our goal is to return to the playoffs with the ultimate goal of contending for the Stanley Cup. We know that once we get into the playoffs, anything is possible.

“I also want to thank Barry for everything he has done for our franchise. He has been the face and voice of our team for 15 years. He created, developed and lived The Predator Way – on the ice, in the office and in the community. There could be no finer ambassador for the Predators or Nashville than Barry Trotz. He has laid a foundation and culture that will benefit the next coach of the Nashville Predators.”

The Preds only made it past the first round of the playoffs once, and it will be interesting to see who the team chases after for the head coach opening.

Ironically, here's a little feature that the league itself put together on Trotz about a month ago describing what his life is like as a coach in the National Hockey League...


The team could lose up to six players to free agency- Spaling, Eaves, Ellis, del Zotto, Ekholm, and Hutton. They were within 4 million or so of the salary cap and it will be a good barometer on the franchise as to how they bring players in with the new head coach...

Philosophy will be everything to see how the team moves forward...

Save Of The Year: Unless, It Was Carter Hutton...

((HT: NHL/FS Predators))

Last night, the HQ showed (what we thought) was the 2014 early contender of "Save of the Year," but we now may have a better answer...

And, for it, we go to the Nashville-Philadelphia game and Carter Hutton...


Okay...???

Enroth or Hutton...???

Your new hockey tradition: Catfish in Nashville

((ht: cbssports.com))

Well, hockey has lots of traditions, some of them cool, some of them strange and some of them just outright gross.

What the fans in Nashville have apparently come up with, encompasses all three of them.

It appears, following the tradition of Octopus after playoff goals in Detroit, the Predator fans have created a tradition of now throwing Catfish on the ice after goals.

Yes, you are reading this right, they throw Catfish.

And no, we don't want to know how one smuggles the wet. slimy and very smelly fish into Bridgestone Arena or how one gets selected for such an "Honor", though we really do think it is funny.

Oh...Nashville won Wednesday's game 2-0 and trail 2 games to 1 in the series.

Check out this video of one on the Ice from Wednesday's Nashville/Phoenix tilt: (Ctsy: TSN/CBSSports)

An Interesting First Night Of NHL Playoffs (UPDATED: Helm In Surgery, Shea Weber)

((HT: NHL/NBCSN/CNBC))

First off, Pittsburgh gave up a 3-0 lead to Philly before losing in OT on a Jake Voracek goal...

Second, Nashville-Detroit will probably go the distance. But it took the folks at CNBC and the NHL until late in the second period to lift the blackout in the southeastern parts of the US- since the promise was, after all, for the Peacock's family of networks to show every game.

Which is cool...

But it was a long night for the Red Wings...
First, Darren Helm got his wrist inadvertantly slashed and had to be sent to a local hospital...

Here's the play...


But, more importantly, Wings head coach Mike Babcock might be hearing from the league office after this exchange with Brian Engblom...
((HT: PuckDaddy))


What the HQ figured it would do is let you know about all the cool traditions that the best post-season has...

Here's FOSG Sarah Spain in Chicago...
((HT: espnW))


2315 UPDATE: Helene St. James from the Detroit Free Press has a Darren Helm update through her Twitter Feed...

Babcock says Helm in hospital, undergoing surgery on forearm. Doesn't know if any tendons cut.

Also, Predators defenseman Shea Weber spiked Henrik Zetterberg's head at the end of regulation... only there was no turnbuckle, just plexiglass...


Will Weber get a phone call from Brendan Shanahan...???

Trade Deadline Day: Vancouver Makes Moves, Nash Does Not...

((HT: TSN/youtube))

It looked like the Columbus Blue Jackets really were going to get rid of Rick Nash. But, at the end of the day, they didn't get rid of Rick Nash- and will be now stuck with a hostile environment with a star that they thought they'd get rid of but didn't after all...

Make any sense...???

We thought so...

A lot of people think that the Canucks moves were more preparing for another Stanley Cup Final... so be it...

They add Zack Kassian from Buffalo and Sami Pahlsson from CBJ while getting rid of Cody Hodgson- since he wasn't going to get much playing time in the first place...

Here's how TradeCentre detailed the Hodgson deal..


Nashville adds Hal Gill early and get Andrei K. From MTL along with Paul Gaustad from Buffalo...
Mike Commodore goes from DET to TBL...

Interesting to see who gets where now...
Except Nash, of course...

BREAKING: Enforcer Wade Belak Found Dead

The Nashville Predators, Belak's final team, have confirmed that he was found dead in a Toronto hotel this afternoon and is dead at the age of 35.

The OPP are not suspecting foul play and there are rumors floating around about an apparent suicide, but nothing is confirmed as of now...

The Predators released this statement:

“The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time.”

Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February and retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed.

Belak is the third enforcer to die in the last four months and his death is now raising questions about whether or not the roles he, Rick Rypien, and Derek Boogaard have played a role in their deaths...

To remember what Velak was to the game, Jody Vance caught up with Belak during his time with the Preds and continued their "Wade A Minute" riff on LeafsTV...
((HT: jodyvancevids/LeafsTV))


And adventures with Wade Burgundy, Anchorman...


Thoughts to the Belak families and fans...