On the Forecheck
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It’s Rally Time in Nashville
by Forechecker on 09/23/08 at 10:02 AM ET
Comments (4)
Last summer, the Nashville Predators fan base was in full-blown crisis mode, trying to hold on to a team that not only Jim Balsillie but seemingly most NHL commentators wanted to move out of town. This fall, however, with a local ownership group in place and several core players signed to new, long-term contracts, the focus is on energizing the fans, building new corporate partnerships, and establishing a fresh start for what should be a competitive NHL franchise for years to come. Today, “Our Team Nashville” is hosting an all-day radiothon and fan rally at the Sommet Center, but the mood is entirely different from that rally of a year ago.
The day will be jam-packed with activities, from a rookie game with Atlanta to a live concert (this is Nashville, after all), with player appearances, a high-school exhibition game and even a public skate on the Sommet Center sheet after the rally. For the broader fan base that hasn’t had a chance to stop by the early days of training camp, it’s the official kickoff for hockey season. With the Tennessee Titans and Vanderbilt Commodores off to exciting starts, spirits are high in Nashville, and the Predators hope to get off on the right foot as well. For more background, check out John Glennon’s piece in the Tennessean.
Unfortunately I can’t make this year’s event, as I work too far from downtown to stop by during the day, and parent-teacher conferences for all three of the Little Forecheckers have my evening filled. I look forward to seeing the reports trickle in during the day and into the evening, though. Opening Night is getting closer and closer…
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Comments
And.......their best player would rather play in Russia. Could we please put this team out of its misery already. Having a team in Tenn. does nothing for the NHL
Posted by kevin from boston on 09/23/08 at 10:53 AM ET
move them to hamilton or quebec or winnipeg (yeah, winnipeg)
Posted by callmedrw on 09/23/08 at 11:20 AM ET
As much as all the mess continues to swirl around the Preds, I have to admit, my hats off to their fanbase for making it very vocal that this is their team. You can’t help but admire that dedication.
That doesn’t make me any less ticked off that they’re getting a slice of the playoff pie just to keep the team solvent.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 09/23/08 at 12:56 PM ET
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About On the Forecheck
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis. Having started over 10 years ago writing for websites like In the Crease and e-Sports, Dirk launched On The Forecheck in 2005 to cover the Nashville Predators as well as apply statistical analysis to NHL hockey.
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Furious February
The Preds host 10 home games during the month of February, including two games each against the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and, yes, the Detroit Red Wings. For discounted Nashville Predators tickets, including steeply discounted Ticketmaster fees, to these or any other upcoming home games, take advantage of this special offer, and use the special offer code "predators".
Doesn’t matter, they will still do well to draw 14,000....Many people in the Nashville area aren’t happy with the lack of improvement in player personnel during the off-season, after promises last year from the new ownership group that they would do just that. Saying they were about to sign Mark Parrish and then having Parrish be quoted as saying he received no offers from the Predators doesn’t look good either (Pioneer Press for those who think im just flaming) The home schedule they have helps them out, perhaps they will hit 14K and get their reveune sharing, but until they start averaging 16K or more per home game, they will continue to lose money.
Posted by Yzerman19 from Nashville on 09/23/08 at 10:24 AM ET