This is not good. A gamble and an act of faith that seemed like a
good trade watching him play the last part of the season turns into a
mess. I thought it was a good trade. It was possibly the last chance
that Ronning would have any value. It was a risk and it went bad
unfortunately.

Not only does it make the Ronning trade look bad, but it gave Biddle
and Plaster fodder to spend a big chunk of the afternoon sports show
on the Predators' flagship station slamming everything about the
Predators. Biddle was the worst. I wish we could deport him to
Knoxville where he would be at home.

Despite Biddle's "opinion", I am proud to have my season tickets now
upgraded to the bar in section 314!

Fans unite and support the Preds both in the ticket booth and on the
phone and e-mail against these people that spew nothing but
negativity about the Preds.

Joe

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Predators defenseman suspended for substance-abuse violation


By JOHN GLENNON
Staff Writer


Predators defenseman Jere Karalahti has been placed in stage three of
the NHL and NHL Players' Association's substance abuse program, and
has been suspended without pay for a minimum of six months.

Karalahti, acquired from Los Angeles in a trade for Cliff Ronning
last March, had already been in the league program, entering
voluntarily in December of 2000 after he — in his own words — ''got a
little crazy with the drinking.''

But his battles with substance abuse go well back, according to an
interview he did with Sports Illustrated in January of this season.

In the article, Karalahti detailed a past that included using cocaine
and marijuana at the age of 14, and a 1996 drug-related arrest that
saw him eventually plead guilty to possession of 800 grams of
marijuana, 30 grams of amphetamines and 10 grams of heroin.

But the 27-year-old Karalahti said he hadn't used drugs in five
years, and the Predators decided to take a chance on the 6-2, 210-
pounder.

''He's not a bad person,'' Predators General Manager David Poile said
following the trade. ''I've always been told everyone deserves a
second chance. Everybody is not perfect, and everybody needs
support.''

In 15 games with the Predators last season, Karalahti made a solid
contribution, posting one assist and 54 hits while averaging nearly
18 minutes of ice time.

Predators coaches were disappointed in his conditioning, but were
impressed by his improved play at the World Championships over the
summer. Karalahti had been counted on as a significant contributor in
the coming yea