|
The Predators Report Newsroom
02-03 Season Archives
Admirals Become Play-Off Casualties
The Milwaukee Admirals were ousted out of the Calder Cup play-offs in the second round by the Houston Aeros. All three games were decided in the final minute, but Milwaukee came up short all three times.
Predators Shake Up Front Office
Craig Channell, director of amateur scouting, has resigned. Paul Fenton will take over his duties at the NHL draft. Paul Gardner will not be coming back as an assistant coach, but has been offered a pro scouting job.
Wheaties Season Comes To End
The Brandon Wheat Kings and Predators prospect Jordin Tootoo have been sent home for the summer by the Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels used three third period goals to win the best-of-seven series, four games to one. Predators defensive prospect, Tomas Slovak, will lead regular season champion Kelowna Rockets against Red Deer for the WHL championship.
Golden Gophers Become NCAA Champs
The Minnesota Golden Gophers overcame hot goaltending to post a 5-1 win over the pesky Wildcats from the University of New Hampshire. Minnesota became the first team to repeat as NCAA champions since Boston University accomplished the feat in 1971 and 1972. Gopher center and Nashville prospect Matt Koalska played despite just returning from hernia surgery.
Admirals Post-Season Notes
The Milwaukee Admirals moved on to the second round with a 6-1 win over Rochester. Darren Haydar, Martin Erat, Cameron Mann, and Dominic Pittis each scored a goal and earned two assists in the win and Jan Lasak stopped 18 of 19 Rochester shots. Milwaukee won its first ever AHL playoff series. The Admirals will travel to Houston to open their best-of-five Western Conference quarterfinal series with the Houston Aeros. The first two games will be at Houston on Wednesday and Friday. The series will switch to Milwaukee for Games Three and Four on Saturday April 19th and Monday April 21st. If a fifth game will be in Houston on Wednesday, April 23rd if necessary.
Admirals Post-Season Notes
Milwaukee will meet the Rochester Americans in the AHL play-offs. Each team has two home wins in four all-time meetings. The Admirals enter post-season play on a roll as they have points in 10 of their last 12 games. Several Admiral players are playing their best hockey as they enter the post-season. Former Predator Denny Lambert has 7 goals in his last 12 games. Jan Lasak held down a 2.48 GAA and a .911 save percentage during the last 14 games. Also hot is Martin Erat who ended the season with a six game point scoring streak. Roster additions include Predators' backup goaltender Wade Flaherty and junior standout Scottie Upshall.
Upshall To Milwaukee
Scottie Upshall, last years' first round pick, has been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. With his team out of the playoffs, Upshall will help Milwaukee during their playoff run. Scottie played eight games this season with the Predators before being sent back to junior. He recorded 21 goals and 25 assists in 35 games for the Kamloops Blazers. He was also captain of team Canada that won a silver medal at the World Juniors.
Lottery Results
The Florida Panthers have won this year's lottery drawing. The Predators will select 7th in the NHL Entry Draft to be held June 21st in Nashville. Here is the list: 1.Florida, 2.Carolina, 3.Pittsburgh, 4.Columbus, 5.Buffalo, 6.San Jose, 7.Nashville, 8.Atlanta, 9.Calgary, 10.Montreal, 11.Philadelphia (from Phoenix), 12.NY Rangers, 13.LA Kings, 14.Chicago.
NHL Lottery Set
The NHL has announced that the Draft Lottery will be held at 2pm on April 7th at the NHL's New York office. They will use a system similar to the ones individual states use for their lotteries. Four numbered balls will be chosen. The series of numbers will be matched to a chart to determine the order the first 14 spots of the draft. The winner can't move up more than four, and no team can move down more than one spot.
Oilers Breathing A Lot Easier After This Win
This is an article on Slam.com written by Robert Tychkowski from the Edmonton Sun. He doesn't think too much of our third jerseys. Full story
Deadline Deals
The Predators participated in the flurry of activity that happened before the trade deadline. GM David Poile was very busy as the Predators were involved in five different deals. Full story
Predators Acquire Petrov
Predators GM David Poile has announced that Nashville has acquired right wing Oleg Petrov from the Montreal Canadiens for a fourth round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Full story
Preds probably won't be active March 11
This is an article by the Canadien Press. We here at TPR don't neccesarily agree with this. We hate to see Cale Hulse or Bill Houlder go, but both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Hulse's name keeps popping up. Click here to read the article.
Bird Dog showing he's got some bite
The better the team plays the more recognition we get from outside the Nashville area. This is an article on FaceOff.com written by Todd Kimberley of the Calgary Herald. Click here to read the article.
Berenzweig Traded To Dallas
Predators GM David Poile has announced that Bubba Berenzweig has been traded, along with a conditional pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, for Jon Sim from the Dallas Stars organization. Full story
Predators' turnaround keeps Trotz off hot seat
This is an article on FaceOff.com written by Doug Harrison. Click here to read the article.
Koehler Traded To LA
Predator prospect Greg Koehler has been traded to the Los Angeles Kings for future considerations. Greg led all Admiral players with 8 powerplay goals. In 43 games, he totaled 16 goals, 10 assists, and 51 penalty minutes. He was recalled to Nashville at one point, but did not appear in any games.
Prospect Tootoo Serves Suspension
Jordin Tootoo, a Predators prospect playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the HL, is serving a seven game suspension. He received a match penalty for a vicious hit during the game last Friday at Medicine Hat.
Injured Players Return
Kimmo Timonen and Scott Walker have been activated from Injured Reserve for tonight's game. Andreas Johansson, who had been out with the flu, also looks to play tonight. He was a member of the Rangers last year before signing a free agent contract last summer. To make room on the roster, Martin Erat and Tomas Kloucek have been returned to Milwaukee. Both will be in uniform when the Admirals travel to Cleveland to play the Barons Saturday night.
Notes From The Farm
Milwaukee has been on a hot streak as of late. The Admirals have faced division leading teams in their last six games, going 3-1-1-1 during that stretch. The Admirals are 9-4-1-1 during their last 14 games, good enough to move into second place in the Western Division. Darren Haydar was named to the AHL All-Star game to be played on February 3rd. Darren has 43 points (16g-27a) in 38 games, last year's leading scorer for the Admirals was Petr Sachl with 43 points over the entire year. In roster moves, the Admirals received center Wyatt Smith and defenseman Robert Schnabel back from Nashville. The Admirals also called up center Eric Anderson from Toledo, and signed former Predator, Denny Lambert, to a 25 game contract.
Erat Back In Nashville
Martin Erat has been called up from Milwaukee. After starting the season in Nashville, Erat was demoted to Milwaukee on December 13th. Martin had just one goal and seven assists in twenty five games. While in Milwaukee, he tallied two goals and four assists in eleven games.
Member Of Dunham Trade Comes To Town
Tomas Kloucek,One of the prospects in the Mike Dunham trade, has been called on to bring his bruising physical game to town. Tomas has three goals, seven assists, and 128 penalty minutes in 33 games split between Milwaukee and Hartford. Greg Classen was also recalled with his 30 points in 38 games. Going the other way was Wyatt Smith and Robert Schnabel.
Schnabel Rejoins The Predators
The Predators have called up 6-5, 232lb defenseman from Milwaukee. The native of the Czech Republic has 3 goals, 5 assists, and 100 penalty minutes in 35 games. Last year he led the Admirals with a (+10) plus/minus rating. He did play one game for Nashville last year.
The Predators Recall Trio
The Predators have recalled Reid Simpson, Wyatt Smith, and Jan Lasak. Going the other way, Brian Finley has been returned to Milwaukee. Lasak has been rumored to start a game this week. Simpson has twelve points (six goals, six assists) in 17 games with the Admirals while Smith has racked up sixteen points (ten goals, six assists) in 19 games.
The Predators Trade Perrott
The Predators continue to wheel and deal in an attempt to find the final pieces of a championship puzzle. Last night the Predators sent minor league enforcer, Nathan Perrott, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospect center Bob Wren. Wren will be assigned to our AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and be in uniform for the Admirals game at home Thursday against the Chicago Wolves. Click here for more
www.thepredatorsreport.com
In our continuing effort to bring you the most Predators news in a timely fashion, we are now found under www.thepredatorsreport.com for easy access. We hope this adds to your convenience. And as always, Go! Predators!
Lasak Back To Milwaukee
In a move similar to the one with Darren Haydar the Predators have sent Jan Lasak to Milwaukee and called up Brian Finley. "We want to make sure Jan gets some games, and he knows there won't be too many with us," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "He's a good prospect, and we want to keep him game ready." There have been hints that Lasak may start in one of the Predators back to back games coming up in early January against either Columbus or St. Louis.
The Predators Return Haydar
The Predators have returned Darren Haydar and recalled Vernon Fiddler. Vernon's size is needed against some of the bigger teams that will be rolling into Nashville. The organization thinks that Darren's progress will be better served playing in Milwaukee, than siting on the Predator's bench or the press box.
In the Corner
The Predators continued their roster shakeup by sending left wing Martin Erat (one goal, seven assists) Milwaukee of the American Hockey League last night. Erat had played 105 NHL games since earning a spot on the team after training camp last season. Brent Gilchrist was scratched to rest minor injuries, but should be back tommorow against Minnesota. Preds toughguy Reid Simpson was placed on waivers. Tomas Kloucek was sent to Milwaukee along with Brian Finley who had been playing in Toledo. Jan Lasak has been called up. He will move into the backup role with Vokoun being the #1 guy.
The Predators Recall Haydar
Predators prospect Darren Haydar has been recalled. Darren just 23, leads the Admirals in assists, points (12g-20a-32pts), and plus-minus rating (+16), and he is tied for fourth in the AHL in scoring and ranks fourth in shooting percentage (21.8%). Haydar was originally Nashville's 15th choice, 248th overall (ninth round), in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Vernon Fiddler was returned to Milwaukee and will be in uniform Saturday night against the Chicago Wolves.
www.thepredatorsreport.com
In our continuing effort to bring you the most Predators news in a timely fashion, we are now found under www.thepredatorsreport.com for easy access. We hope this adds to your convenience. And as always, Go! Predators!
Player Moves
The Predators continued their roster shakeup by sending left wing Martin Erat (one goal, seven assists) Milwaukee of the American Hockey League last night. Erat had played 105 NHL games since earning a spot on the team after training camp last season. Brent Gilchrist was scratched to rest minor injuries, but should be back tommorow against Minnesota. Preds toughguy Reid Simpson was placed on waivers. Tomas Kloucek was sent to Milwaukee along with Brian Finley who had been playing in Toledo. Jan Lasak has been called up. He will move into the backup role with Vokoun being the #1 guy.
© 2002-2003 ThePredatorsReport.com
The Predators Report is a non-profit fansite covering the Nashville Predators. It is not affiliated with the Nashville Predators or the NHL. All logos are property of the NHL.
|
|
|
