Oliver Setzinger | Illegal Curve Hockey

Oliver Setzinger, originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 3rd Round (76th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, has finally made the jump to North America. After bouncing around various European leagues, the Austrian national team member returned to the Austrian League and began to put up big numbers. The 6'0, 200 lb. center is said to possess good skating and puck skills, in addition to being a hard and motivated worker. More of a set-up man than a scorer, Setzinger uses his size well to create room for teammates. A posting on the European hockey forums cited an interview with Setzinger saying that he felt Nashville was not serious about bringing him to North America, and that he was very willing to make the jump. A late bloomer as prospects go, he was contacted by the Predators during his strong 2006-2007 campaign and has made his way to Tennessee looking for work in North America. He signed a contract with Nashville in February of last year and to the Preds' relief, reported to camp. Currently playing LW in Predators training camp, Setzinger was skating on a line with Scott Nichol and JP Dumont. In the opening pre-season game, he was bumped out of the lineup but is expected to play in the next contest. Notes from Nashville fans say that he plays a pretty strong positional and defensive game, but seemed to have some initial trouble with the pace. Once he settled down, he made some good passes, but was otherwise not noteworthy. Look for Setzinger to start the year in the AHL. News You Can Use in the Late Morning: -Mirtle with a calender of important NHL dates. Also note his link about Nashville raising ticket prices. -Hemsky pleased with his performance in the Joey Moss Cup. The first real test comes tonight, against the visiting Florida Panthers. -Oiler blogger Lowetide with a player by player assessment from the aforementioned Joey Moss Cup. -Radim Vrbata strong in his Coyotes debut. -London Knights start the year ranked at #1 -Jiri Fischer up, around and in Gatineau. -One armed player Scott Stafford signs with the Sarnia Blast of the WOHL. (Video) -Sens interested in Jeff O'Neill? The Toronto Sun also notes that the Sens may have an interest in Cujo. -Ten Camps worth watching. -Is Naslund done in the NHL? -Is a big season by Mike Fisher good or bad for the Sens? -In breaking news, Sens sign Fisher to an extension. This basically makes my last news item moot, but I will leave it in anyways, for historical perspective. I am sure readers will reminisce about the 5 seconds ago when they were worried Mike Fisher might be on his way out of Ottawa. Scary days my friends, scary days. -The Regina Pats' Logan Pyett looks to build upon his Super Series experience. -The best WHL roundup around is found at Taking Note. -Allan Maki reports on the NHL implications of a rising Canadian dollar. -Aaron Ward not happy with the pre-season predictions. (Hat Tip, Kukla) -The Hockey News' Adam Proteau responds to Ward. -The NHLPA recorded phone calls. Dick Cheney for NHLPA President. -A profile of Canucks prospect Alex Burrows. -A Devils preview. -Alan Muir of SI with a suggestion that Lowe is looking to move Pitkanen. This isn't going to happen. Muir fails to note that Pitkanen recently signed this one year deal with Edmonton and figures to be their #1 defenseman in the near future, if not now. -Isbister hits Luongo in the throat with a slapper. Are the Canucks trying to hurt their #1 Goalie. Do they realize they can't score and need this guy to win them games? -An interesting Blues blog. -As noted last week, former QMJHL sniper Simon Gamache is in camp with the Leafs. Michael Traikos reports that things are looking good. -Former Prospect Pulse feature Max Pacioretty looks to liven up U of Michigan's lineup. -More Kings' season previews at Battle of California. -Wild goalie Josh Harding with a mask memorializing the I-35 bridge collapse. -Players on the Hotseat for this year. -Line combination news and notes from the Score. -Marc Denis looks good in Bolts' camp. -Razor with an interesting take on cheaters in sport. -Oilers unable to get Karamnov signed. -Kasparitis wants back on the Rangers. -A goaltending controversy in Denver? For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior