Visual Proof

All pictures from Yahoo.com, except for one. Can you guess which? ;)

Day 2 of the Forsberg Era

Wow, I'm just an updating machine, aren't I? This is short. I just wanted to point out that the further we get into the Forsberg era, the more I can't believe its actually happened. Barry Melrose said on SportsCenter that this the biggest thing that ever happened to the Predators. I have to agree. This tops the previous big thing, which was the signing of Paul Kariya, which topped the one before that, the trade for Steve Sullivan. Before that? Um. Well, Nashville held the draft one year... Basically, people have to take the Preds seriously now. I know most players/coaches respected the team, but now fans, broadcasters, and sportswriters have to really pay attention. Its a good time to be a Predator fan. (Whenever I stop to think about the trade, I can't help but laugh; of course that could just be the onslaught of insanity I knew was in my future.)

Couple of things before I go:
I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but Peter Forsberg currently holds the record for most points scored at the GEC. I remember watching the game, and I remembered him tying Gretzky, but, according to my Preds Media Guide, it turns out he passed the Great One. 1G 5A 6Pts. I remember his goal vividly. He was in the slot, he got knocked down, kept control of the puck, turned a 180 on his knees firing a blind backhand shot passed whoever it was. (I know the date, 1-1-03, but I can't find the boxscore, so I don't know who was in goal.)

Oh, and below is the postage stamp issued in Sweden following Forsberg's 1994 gold medal winning shootout goal. The game was against Canada, and the final shooter for the Canadians as, oddly enough, Paul Kariya. (He missed.)

Number 21

Years ago, when I first became interested in hockey, mainly through video games with my friends, I chose the Colorado Avalanche as my team in the game as we all gravitated towards the top teams. (Dallas, Detriot, San Jose, Philadelphia, etc.) In an environment where everyone's picking the top teams and with the Predators in their second year of existence, sucking harder than a vaccuum cleaner with a clean filter, I felt vindicated in my choice. The Aves were loaded with stars back in those days, Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Rob Blake, Adam Foote, & of course Peter Forsberg.

Today, amazingly, Peter Forsberg was traded from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Nashville Predators. The rumors had been around for a few days, and then today at 4:30 I saw a report on hockeybuzz that said a deal may be imminant. I glued myself to the computer, for better or worse, for the next few hours. Reports kept trickling in. Forsberg was quoted as saying something would happen before Monday. He then took part in warm-ups before the Flyers game against the Leafs, but didn't come back out. Then reports that the deal was agreed to, but not yet final. Upshall, Parent, 1st and 3rd rounders for Forsberg.

Wow.

I've read a lot of reports that the Predators gave up a lot for a "rental" player who's "one big hit" away from not playing anymore this year. Well, here's my rebuttal:

Firstly, Upshall was on the team this year out of training camp. Sixty games later, he's only played 14. He wasn't playing in any of the top 3 lines, and the Preds had no space for him. Parent is going to be a good player one day. Maybe even next year. But it was a longshot for him to make the Preds. With Hamhuis, Suter, & Weber the Preds defense is already pretty young. Zidlicky has 3 years left on his deal, and Timonen is the Captain. Additionally with Kevin Klien and Cody Franson still in the minors, good young defensemen aren't exactly in short supply in Nashville. The draft picks could be a problem. However, the Preds will likely be drafting late in the first, in a draft that is considering shallow, so losing a late first is closer to losing a 2nd, and the 3rd akin to a fourth. Still, losing the draft picks could slow the Preds future, but their prospects already in the system should be enough to support the team for a while.

Secondly, Forsberg has been battling injuries lately, that's no secret. However, he's been fine recently, and his injuries aren't of the sort that will be brought on by a hard check. Of course, any player, at any time, can be injured on the ice by a stray puck or stick, or an especially hard hit, so that as an argument doesn't mean much to me. I do worry about his ankels, but from what I understand, his new skates (picked up over the All-Star break) are comfortable. At least comfortable enough.

Even if Forsberg does get injured, the Predators of this year don't lose much. And if Forsberg is healthy, and if he's inspired at all for another chance at the Cup, he can be the best player in the world once more. (And the Predators were already at the top of the NHL Standings, and the second highest scoring team.)

Additionally, adding Forsberg should help electrify a city, perhaps finally making the businesses in town realize what they have in the Predators. However, since the Preds are now the clear front runners for the Cup, and anything less than a Finals appearance will be considered a dissapointment by most.

Kariya-Legwand-Erat
Sullivan-Arnott-Dumont
Hartnell-Forsberg-Radulov
Horidchuk-Nichol-Tootoo

Timonen-Zidlicky
Hamhuis-Weber
Suter-Vishnevsky

Vokoun
Mason

H-O-L-Y Hell. How do you defend those top three lines? I dunno. I guess we'll see. :)

State of the Granville Address

Well, I had to update sooner or later, didn't I? Once upon a time, I guess its been nine or ten years ago now, I would send out a mass e-mail to all my friends telling them how/what I was doing, that kinda thing. One would think that a blog is just a non-targeted version of my old State of the Granville's so I'd keep up with it more, but it hasn't happened. I think the main difference is that my life now doesn't suck as much as it did then. I would complain like no one's business about everything back then, of course, I had a lot to complain about. Now-a-days my life isn't bad at all. I'm in a great loving relationship, great friends, and besides my thinning hairline and occasional kidney stone, I'm in pretty good health. I do worry about getting a job, but I'm not too worried... I think that's another thing. I'm much less pessimistic today than I was back in the 90's. I just believe everything'll work out one way or another.

Anyway, moving onto sports news. The Braves should be a bit better this year than last. Despite letting my favorite player (Marcus Giles) go on to free agency, and trading their 30HR first baseman who sucked until last year (when he finally became good) for a relief pitcher and prospect. Oh, and despite Jeff Francouer, who sucks. They'll be better because Chipper will stay healthy all year (please?) Kelly Jo will make me forget about Marcus (I hope), and Brian McCann will become a legitimate MVP Candidate.

In football news, Vince Young is good. The Titan's should make the playoffs next year, even if Pacman Jones is in jail.

Now, Hockey news is the best right now. As I write this, the Predators have the best record in the NHL, they're the second highest scoring team, and have the best goal differential. I've been to five games in person so far this year, and they've scored at least six goals in four of them, and won the other in a shootout.(on my birthday no less, and I should mention they did lose one of the games where they scored 6 goals, as the Blackhawks scored 8, the first game of the year) But one of those games was against the Red Wings, so it counts twice. Or something. Plus, they have a David Gussio look-alike playing on the third line.

In non-sports news, I've been watching a lot of Star Trek lately. The Sci-Fi channel has been rerunning Enterprise, which isn't as bad as I was afraid of. Its no DS9, but few shows are. I've also been reading some Philip K. Dick. I really like his work. I'm about a quarter of the way through The Man In The High Castle, and I've finished Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep, and The Penultimate Truth. I highly recommend his works.

I guess that's all. All I can think of right now at any rate. I'm sure I won't go so long between updates again.