Blueshirt Bulletin

Bulletin Board: Predators Lock Up Pekka Rinne

Nashville re-signed Pekka Rinne, but will the Predators be able to keep Ryan Suter and Shea Weber?

The Bulletin Board keeps you abreast of the latest news around the NHL Monday-Friday.

- The Nashville Predators signed goalie Pekka Rinne to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension on his 29th birthday. The deal is the largest in Predators’ team history and makes Rinne one of the highest-paid goalies in the league. By contrast, Philadelphia signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million deal this summer. Nashville still has to lock up defensemen Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, both of whom would be free agents next summer.

- Rinne shutout the Phoenix Coyotes after signing his mega-deal earlier in the day.

- Toronto goalie Ben Scrivens made 38 saves in his first career start as the Leafs cruised by Columbus 4-1. The loss was the Blue Jackets’ 10th of the season; Columbus didn’t lose its 10th game last season until December 4th.

- Evander Kane scored his fifth goal in six games as Winnipeg shutout the New York Islanders 3-0. The Islanders have now lost six games in a row and been score-less three times during the losing streak.

- Patrik Elias scored the shootout winner for the New Jersey Devils against the Philadelphia Flyers. Should Danny Briere’s shootout goal have counted?

- Jarome Iginla scored twice to help Calgary send Detroit to its sixth-straight loss.

- Edmonton goalie Nikolai Khabibulin continued his shocking start as the Oilers shutout the L.A. Kings 3-0. Edmonton still leads the Western Conference.

- San Jose scored twice in the third period to force overtime against Pittsburgh and Ryan Clowe ended up scoring the shootout winner to send the Penguins packing.

- Philadelphia forward James Van Riemsdyk was a late scratch last night with a “lower-body injury,” but there are rumors that JVR is in Peter Laviolette’s doghouse and may have been benched.

- Minnesota’s Cal Clutterbuck was fighting Vancouver’s Maxim Lapierre last night when he accidentally clocked a linesman in the face.

- The Colorado Avalanche has moved struggling third-year forward Matt Duchene to left wing on a line with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk in an attempt to jumpstart the team’s offense.

- The Detroit Red Wings recalled top defensive prospect Brendan Smith, who played with Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan at the University of Wisconsin.

- Buffalo forward Patrick Kaleta was suspended four games for head-butting Philadelphia’s Jakub Voracek on Wednesday night.

- The Winnipeg Jets placed goalie Chris Mason on injured reserve.

- Jeff Carter will miss his highly-anticipated return to Philadelphia this weekend as he continues to sit out with a fractured foot.

- Puck Daddy has assembled a list of beer prices at every NHL arena.

- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t want a work stoppage next year.

- The NHL announced new broadcast agreements with TV networks in Europe. This follows yesterday’s news that the league inked a big sponsorship deal with Coors Light, so cash seems to be flowing in right now.

- Carolina announced 10 new partners in ownership of the Hurricanes. Among them is GM Jim Rutherford.

- The New Jersey Devils are heading for bankruptcy.

- There are six games on the schedule tonight with Chicago @ Tampa Bay leading the way on NHL Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Past editions of the Bulletin Board:

9/21/11 - 2011 First-Round Draft Picks Shine In Preseason Action >

9/22/11 - Jody Shelley Delivers First Controversial Hit of 2011 Season >

9/23/11 - Shanahan Impresses As New NHL Disciplinarian >

9/26/11 – Sidney Crosby Participates In “Controlled Scrimmage” >

9/27/11 – Montreal Signs Chris Campoli >

9/28/11 – Top 2011 Draft Picks Shine In Preseason Action >

9/29/11 – Sestito Suspended Four Games For Hit On Deveaux >

9/30/11 – Kings Lock Doughty Up With Huge Deal >