The NHL All-Star Game "is coming to Nashville" in '16, and it "could mean millions to Music City and bolster hockey's stature in Middle Tennessee," according to a front-page piece by Eric Stromgren of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Sources said that the NHL tomorrow is "expected to name Bridgestone Arena" as the '16 site. Typically held "over four days in late January," the ASG and its surrounding events "can mean major business to host cities." Nashville "submitted bids in June" to host the event in '16, '17, '18 or '19. Nashville would be the NHL's "third straight first-time host of the event" following Ottawa in '12 and the '15 game slated for Columbus. The game also would be "another signature moment solidifying hockey's stature in Middle Tennessee." Predators D Shea Weber said, "It's going to be very exciting for this city. ... The people here love hockey. This will help maybe gain more interest as well. But I think in saying that, it's come a long way and I think it's a great place to play." Predators G Pekka Rinne: "I'm sure there are some people who think Nashville is not a hockey city but I'm sure by that time, everybody is going to know that it is a hockey town" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/16).
GOING GLOBAL? SI.com noted a report on the Russian TASS website "suggests that plans are underway in Milan, Italy, to stage a four-team tournament sometime during" the '15 World's Fair, scheduled to run May 1-Oct. 31. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, "To my knowledge, there has been no contact made with the NHL regarding such a tournament." The timing "makes it unlikely given that the league is working on its own major international news, the revived World Cup of Hockey," which is "expected to be held" in '16 (SI.com, 10/15).
