Wilson set to "Crash" into Oilers

"So here we are right now/This is our time to cross this line/Every single time I could drive in blind/Can't make up my mind/I know I'm gonna find my way out" - "Crash" by Decyfer Down

All summer, Preds followers have been pondering the fate of 2008 first-round pick Colin Wilson, with Wilson having come off a hugely successful campaign playing with the Boston University Terriers, where he had 29 goals and 61 assists in 80 games. Having never played a NHL game coming into training camp this summer, it was often speculated Wilson would be sent down to Milwaukee for some seasoning before seeing action in a Predators uniform, but Wilson has already filled out his 6'2" frame, coming into camp at around 215 lbs. The chief reason you hear cited about young players being sent down to juniors or the AHL is that they need to beef-up, clearly not the case with Wilson. Wilson also plays a very smart game, and the Predators roster is often seen as offensively-starved, so we wondered this year if Preds management would take a risk on keeping Wilson or if they would stick to their adage of "the road to Nashville goes through Milwaukee." Today, word comes out that Wilson will suit up for his first professional game, as he is expected to center the 3rd line with Ward and Jones on the wings for tonight's game against Edmonton. While certainly not a guarantee that Wilson will stay in Nashville all season, I am excited to see management is going to give him the opportunity to make a case for himself instead of immediately sending him down. Any of you that know me personally know how excited I am about Wilson's potential, as I have been raving on about him for the last year. Many people like myself are anticipating that Wilson will be a future cornerstone of the franchise. I am changing my plans for the night and making the drive up to Nashville tonight just to see this game. I hope to see you all there!

Some other thoughts before I leave for the game: JP Dumont seems to be getting close to returning, with the possibility of playing against Dallas on Wednesday. Dumont is a key contributer on this team and has unquestionable chemistry with Arnott and Sullivan on the first line, so it will be great to see him back on the ice. However, since his injury, Hornqvist has been filling in for him admirably on the top line, having netted 2g,1a in the game against the Avalanche last Thursday. There has been a lot of criticsm of the 2nd line of Santorelli-Legwand-Erat and their lack of production. Short of Legwand and Santorelli's shootout conversions in the season opener at Dallas, there has been zero production from this line. Santos has actually played, in my opinion, a very solid game and has created chances but just hasn't found the back of the net. Legwand and Erat however have seemed lethargic as they get off to their typically slow starts. I wonder if Hornqvist gets rewarded for his stepping up this season by a reshuffling of lines that finds Hornqvist playing 2nd-line duty. I think he's earned it. I'm thinking a line of Legwand-Hornqvist-Santos would have pretty good opportunity.

Tonight should be a blast, with the Preds having an 11-1 record against the Oilers over the last 3 seasons. I hope to see you all there. It should be well-worth the drive. Look for me in 309 and say hello. - Big Kev