Nashville Predators' head coach Barry Trotz will be joined with Dave Tippett (Coyotes), Lindy Ruff, and Doug Shedden on Team Canada's coaching staff for the 2013 Men' World Championship. 

With Trotz being added to Team Canada's coaching staff, that makes five people and players in the Predators' organization who will be involved in the World Championship. Bobby Butler, Craig Smith, David Poile and Pete Rogers were named to Team USA earlier this week.

Trotz and Tippett will likely propose their similar systems to Hockey Canada, which is hard forechecking. Both coaches are excellent, however neither could make the playoffs after making it last season. 

As of now, Trotz will not be coaching anyone who he has coached before in the NHL. Most of the team is comprised of Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers. But, the current roster is just a preliminary.

The World Championships stretch from May 3-19 in Helsinki and Stockholm.

The Nashville Predators faceoff against the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final time as divisional opponents Saturday night in their season finales. Columbus looks to clinch a playoff spot with a win and some help, while Nashville wants to play spoiler. The Predators are 16-22-9 with 41 points and 14th in the Western Conference. The Blue Jackets are 9th in the West with 53 points and a record of 23-17-7. Puck drops at 6:08pm CT.

Brett Ritchie scored the overtime game winner 11:44 in to give the Texas Stars a 3-2 win and, more importantly, 1-0 lead in this best-of-five series. “An unfortunate bounce with a rolling puck,” said Austin Watson. "That’s hockey and that’s overtime.”

The momentum swung the Stars’ direction after defenseman Scott Ford went to the penalty box four minutes before the game winning goal. Texas outshot Milwaukee 6-4 in extra time.

(Photo by: Steven Christy)

Texas Stars' goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp seeks the Calder Cup in his first career season in North America. Nilstorp acquired some experience in the NHL playing with the NHL affiliate Dallas Stars while Kari Lehtonen was injured.

The Nashville Predators helped their draft lottery chances Thursday night with a 5-2 loss against the Detroit Red Wings. This game was the last meeting between these two teams as divisional opponents. However, that doesn’t mean their rivalry is done forever.

USA Hockey announced their 2013 Men's World Championship roster Thursday afternoon, which includes four Nashville Predators. Craig Smith and Bobby Butler will be on the ice for Team USA, while the Predators' equipment manager Pete Rogers will handle equipment duties for the US. Also, general manager David Poile will be one of many overseeing the Americans.

The Nashville Predators faceoff against the Detroit Red Wings as divisional opponents for the final time. Detroit looks to clinch a playoff spot Thursday night and would love to get a win against their Southern rivals. Nashville is ranked 14th in the Western Conference with 41 points and a 16-21-9 record. The Red Wings have a record of 22-16-8 with 52 points and ranked 8th in the Western Conference. Puck drops at 6:38pm CT.

The Nashville Predators signed Miikka Salomaki to a three-year entry level deal. Salomaki is a prospect with tremendous upside and has the potential to make the team next season. 

Salomaki was drafted by the Predators 52nd overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Earlier this year, the 21 year old was selected to play with Team Finland in the 2013 World Juniors Championship, where he was awarded top line duties. Most of his year was played with Karpat in the SM-liiga however, where he played in 42 games posting 19 points (9g, 10a).

It is unknown whether Salomaki will wait to the summer to join the organization, or sometime this week in Milwaukee for their push to the Calder Cup.

The Nashville Predators were able to hold off a strong Calgary Flames’ attack towards the end, after the Predators scored three unanswered goals on fan appreciation night. Fans at Bridgestone Arena left satisfied with a 4-3 win and Frosty’s to eat on their way home.  

This was Nashville’s first win since April 2 against the Colorado Avalanche. Since then, the Preds have been winless in their past eight games, thus eliminating themselves from playoff contention.

After fifteen years in the National Hockey League, the Nashville Predators formally announced the Nashville Predators' Alumni Association Tuesday. Former Pred and current radio commentator Stu Grimson will serve as President of the Association. JP Dumont, who helps local teams in Middle Tennessee, will be Vice President.

Also, on the border includes former Predators Dan Keczmer and Jayson More. Brian Poile, son of GM David Poile and Director of Hockey Operations, and Bob Kohl, Senior Director of Broadcasting, will join the head as well.

The goal for this organization will be for the ex-Preds to hold exclusive special events, help youth hockey in Mid TN and supporting the good throughout the Nashville community.

Full Press Release from the Predators after the jump.