JOEL WARD RUMORS & GOSSIP

Last spring, the NHL watched as Joel Ward, a defense-first power forward, had a bit of a coming-out party in the playoffs. Despite being averaging less than a half of a point a game, Ward led his Nashville Predators with 7 goals and 6 assists while averaging over 20 minutes per game (he only averaged 17 in regular season). With the Capitals having seen their offence dry up in the...

Joel Ward returned to Smashville on Tuesday night as a member of the Washington Capitals. The Predators won 3-1 in a game that saw four goals scored in the final five minutes of regulation. “It was different at the start of the game,” the 30-year old said after the game. “It was a bit emotional being on the different side of things, but after the first period I...

There was an odd sighting on the ice at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night. Joel Ward, who left Nashville via free agency over the summer, was wearing a new number (42) in a different uniform on a different team.“It was a little different for sure,” said Ward, who had 16:45 of ice time and a minus-1 rating on Wednesday. “It took a while to get used to and I saw a lot of...

Joel Ward spoke to the Washington Capitals press corps this morning. Go here to listen to the audio from the Caps' web site. As much as he will be missed in Nashville, fans have to be happy for seeing a good guy get a handsome payday with a four year, $12 million deal. He had nothing but positive things to say about the Predators who would never be able to offer him a deal with...

After a standout playoff run, leading the Predators with 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points in 12 games, Joel Ward tested free agency and found a large payday. Ward signed a 4-year deal with the Washington Capitals worth $12 million. That’s a huge pay raise for the forward who scored 10 goals and added another 19 assists in 80 regular season games. Undrafted, Ward played...

A little less than a month from today, the free agent frenzy will commence; it will be here before we know it! Where will Brad Richards land? With the lack of talent in free agency, will there be more trades? Here’s a quick look at the market for forwards this summer…Teams potentially looking for a top-six forward:Carolina, Dallas, Florida, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Nashville...

Joel ward went from a role player to a prolific scorer during the playoffs. Joel Ward was easily the Predators MVP for the playoffs this year. A role player who produced only 29 points became the Preds most feared scorer, and the key component in their run to the second round of the playoffs. Ward scored almost half as many points during the 12 playoff games than he scored in the...

The latest Predator inspired History Will Be Made video is History Steps Up featuring Joel Ward. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy who doesn't know why he has had his recent scoring outburst but is enjoying being able to help the team.Follow the jump to see the video...More Later...Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Coming of the biggest night of his career, Joel Ward speaks to the media on the tarmac at the Nashville Airport. He doesn't have any explanation for his offensive outburst but is enjoying his current success.Make the jump to see original video from this afternoon...More Later...Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

Joel Ward had two goals including the game winner on Saturday night in the Predators 4-3 win over Vancouver to send the series back to Nashville for Game six on Monday.Ward now has seven post-season goals and is tied with Daniel Brierre and Sean Bergenheim for the lead in goals scored in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. Follow the jump for the video...More Later...Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass