Nashville Predators

Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan could have footed the bill for dry cleaning after he spilled beer on fans around him at the Nashville Predators game on Sunday, but he did one better, buying new jerseys for those caught in the festivities. 

Lewan, who was at the game with his wife Taylin and daughter Wynne, appeared on the Jumbotron before the team replayed a video from a game in 2018, when he chugged beers with his teammates. 

Had a long car ride home of wynne telling me it “wasn’t nice” to get her and mommy wet.... worth it.

pic.twitter.com/k4DNiVCx2E

— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) May 24, 2021

He replied to a tweet about his re-enactment, saying that he bought new sweaters for those around him. 

The display fired up the crowd, and maybe it was that energy that forced the game into double overtime before a 4-3 Predators victory that evened the series against the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-2. 

The Nashville Predators are going to the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

Nashville clinched its spot in the postseason with a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

SEVEN STRAIGHT pic.twitter.com/wlOVbmXJYb

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 9, 2021

The Predators are the fourth and final team to clinch their playoff spot in the new-look Central Division. The NHL changed the divisions to minimize travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 season, and the top four teams from each one will compete in the playoffs.

Here is a look at the current postseason picture of teams that have clinched:

The @PredsNHL are headed to the postseason for the seventh consecutive season and 14th time in franchise history. #NHLStats: https://t.co/3swtwPqCHX pic.twitter.com/nYFCUd8seH

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) May 9, 2021

        

Central Division

1. Carolina Hurricanes (80 points)

2. Florida Panthers (77 points)

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (75 points)

4. Nashville Predators (62 points)

          

East Division

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (77 points)

2. Washington Capitals (75 points)

3. Boston Bruins (71 points)

4. New York Islanders (70 points)

         

North Division

1. Toronto Maple Leafs (76 points)

2. Edmonton Oilers (66 points)

3. Winnipeg Jets (59 points)

         

West Division

1. Vegas Golden Knights (78 points)

2. Colorado Avalanche (74 points)

3. Minnesota Wild (73 points)

4. St. Louis Blues (57 points)

          

While there was some familiarity for the Predators at the start of the season since they remained in the Central Division with the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars, the realignment meant some significant changes as well.

Suddenly, they were sharing a division with Eastern Conference teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. Games against Tampa Bay, Carolina and Florida stood out as particularly challenging contests.

It looked as if those games would prove too daunting, as Nashville fell to 11-16-1 on March 13 after a stretch that saw it lose six of seven with all six of the losses coming against the Hurricanes, Panthers and Lightning.

However, the Predators caught fire from there and are an impressive 18-8-1 since as they climbed into playoff position and held off the Stars and Blackhawks.

They will have to deal with that trio of teams in Carolina, Florida and Tampa Bay in the playoffs and will need strong performances from a defense led by Roman Josi, but they have some momentum given their strong play down the stretch.

Next up will be an attempt to get past the first round for the first time since 2017-18.

The NHL's Nashville Predators announced they will serve pizza Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena to anyone affected by a tornado that struck central Tennessee overnight.

Dear Smashville Fam,

We love you and we want to help. We will be serving pizza at @BrdgstoneArena beginning at 11 a.m. for all those affected by last night's storm. Please feel welcome to come and bring anyone who needs it. 💛🍕

Love,

Us

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 3, 2020

At least 22 people were killed when the tornado along with other severe storms hit the area Monday night into early Tuesday morning, per CNN. Nashville was struck hard as 48 buildings collapsed and around 150 people were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

"As tragic as this is—and our hearts are broken—we are certain that we'll surround these folks and we'll do what is necessary," Gov. Bill Lee said.

There aren’t any perfect words to say on days like this. Our hearts are broken for all the people affected by the storms, and we praying for quick healing. 💛💙

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 3, 2020

Nashville is one of the country's best NHL markets, with the team's average attendance exceeding the Bridgestone Arena seating capacity (101.7 percent) during the 2019-20 season, according to ESPN.

The Preds played a home game Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers, and they're scheduled to return home Thursday to face the Dallas Stars after a brief trip to take on the Minnesota Wild.

Few moments in sports are more entertaining than hockey goaltenders scoring goals, but no one in the NHL had done so since 2013 entering Thursday.

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne had other ideas, though.

The 14-season NHL veteran gave Nashville a 5-2 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks in the closing seconds of their game after he corralled the puck behind his own goal line and sent it into the empty net across the ice:

For the first time since 2013... WE HAVE A GOALIE GOAL.

Bless you, Pekka Rinne. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/teY98yCmB9

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2020

Per ESPN News Services, Rinne became just the 12th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal. The Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith was the last one to do so on Oct. 19, 2013, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings.

"I obviously understand that it might be a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Rinne said postgame, "so I really enjoyed it. It was an awesome feeling seeing that puck go in."

"It was pretty cool," Rinne added. "I just threw my hands up in the air and tried to act as cool as I can."

Rinne's next mission may be to become the third goaltender in history to score multiple goals. Ex-New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur scored three, and former Philadelphia Flyers netminder Ron Hextall had two. They are also the only two goalies to score in the playoffs.

Rinne and the Preds moved to 20-16-7 on the year with the 5-2 road win. The Blackhawks fell to 19-20-6. 

The Nashville Predators have hired John Hynes to take over as head coach in the wake of Peter Laviolette's firing Monday.

General manager David Poile officially announced Hynes' hiring Tuesday in a statement released by the team:

"John Hynes is a bright young coach and great leader who has a track record of both effectively developing young players and successfully motivating veterans. We love his coaching resume and are confident that he has learned from every stop during his career, and has the best skill set to get the maximum potential out of our team."

Nashville has had a disappointing start to the season with a 19-15-7 record. The team sits in sixth place in the Central Division and is five points behind the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets for the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference.

Laviolette was in his sixth season with the Predators prior to his firing. There wasn't any previous indication Poile was considering making a midseason change.

"I met with [Laviolette] this morning," Poile told The Midday 180 on 104.5 The Zone (h/t NHL.com) on Thursday. "We had a long talk about lots of different situations going forward. I'm not contemplating making any coaching change at this time."

The Predators will be the second team Hynes coaches this season. The New Jersey Devils fired him Dec. 3 after a 9-13-4 start. The 44-year-old went 150-159-45 with one playoff appearance as head coach of the Devils.

The Nashville Predators announced Monday they have fired head coach Peter Laviolette after a 19-15-7 start to the 2019-20 season. 

Associate coach Kevin McCarthy was also relieved of his duties. Nashville did not name someone in an interim role and noted the head coach for Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins is "to be announced," per Elliotte Friedman.

"Their passion for the game, ability to motivate a team and drive to be the best makes this a difficult decision," general manager David Poile said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Peter and Kevin for all their contributions to the Nashville Predators over the past five-and-a-half seasons."

Laviolette was in his sixth season with the Predators, leading the squad to the postseason in each of his first five years with the organization. 

The coach led Nashville to the Stanley Cup finals in 2017 and then helped the team win the Presidents' Trophy in 2017-18 with a 117-point season.

However, the team suffered an early exit in the 2019 playoffs and then struggled through the first half of the current season, causing the change. 

Knowing Poile's patience level, I thought he might give Laviolette another 10 games or so. But a move now makes plenty of sense. It's the midpoint of season, new guy has to have a chance to turn things around. No way should this team, currently 11th in West. Conf., miss playoffs. https://t.co/7BVLyxSbfD

— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 6, 2020

With just 45 points in 41 games, the Predators currently sit in sixth place out of seven teams in the Central Division. The four losses in the last five games likely served as the last straw for the front office.

The team still has time to turn things around while sitting just four points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, especially with the talent on the roster, but it will need to improve its level of play.

Meanwhile, Laviolette could get another chance after finding plenty of success over the past two decades. The 55-year-old has led four different organizations, winning 637 of 1,210 games, winning one Stanley Cup championships and three conference titles.  

The Nashville Predators and defenseman Roman Josi have reportedly agreed to an eight-year contract extension.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday the deal will pay Josi just over $9 million per year and includes a no-movement clause, which is a rarity in contracts handed out by the Preds.

Josi was in the final year of his contract and could have become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.

The 29-year-old has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Predators. He signed a seven-year, $28 million extension with Nashville in 2013, which became a massive bargain for the team.

Jeff Veillette of The Faceoff Circle suggested the new deal may essentially be the Preds' way of thanking Josi for outperforming his previous contract so significantly:

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/1189188629341470721

Josi has long been one of the NHL's top defensemen, and he now has a contract to match it, as the new deal makes him the third-highest-paid blueliner in the league.

Entering this season, Josi had registered 40 points or more in six consecutive seasons and 49 points or more in five straight. He also topped the 50-point mark four times and surpassed the 60-point threshold once during that stretch.

The Preds have made five consecutive playoff appearances, and Josi—who was appointed team captain in 2017—is among the biggest reasons for that.

He is trending toward a career year in 2019-20 with five goals and eight assists for 13 points through 11 games. He also owns a plus-eight rating.

The 2008 second-round pick from Switzerland set a career high with 61 points in 2015-16, posted 14 points in 22 playoff games the next season and earned a career-best plus-24 rating in 2017-18. Last season, Josi appeared in all 82 games for the first time in his career, tied his career high with 15 goals and finished with 56 points.

With a record of 7-3-1 (15 points), the Preds are tied for second in the Western Conference's Central Division behind the Colorado Avalanche, which suggests they are well on their way to another playoff appearance and potentially a deep run.

With Josi locked in for the next several years, the Predators figure to have plenty of opportunities to produce the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

Matt Duchene has agreed to join the Nashville Predators, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

"As others have also speculated, while nothing can be signed until Monday, Matt Duchene slated to join Nashville," LeBrun tweeted. "Contract can't be officially negotiated until Monday but sounds like $56 million over seven years is what has been discussed."

Speculation that the Predators were frontrunners to land the 28-year-old center intensified when Nashville traded P.K. Subban to the New Jersey Devils on June 22:

Told that there won’t be any deal between Columbus and Matt Duchene before the UFA speaking period opens Sunday. Fair to say Nashville is the front runner.

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 22, 2019

Just my guess out of all of this, and only my guess: I would imagine the Predators are pretty confident they can sign Matt Duchene.

— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) June 22, 2019

That speculation was fueled by several moving parts that have been coming together for years, as The Athletic's Adam Vingan wrote:

"The coming together of Duchene and the Predators has been destined for some time. There's a widely held belief that Duchene has long desired to play in Nashville. His love of country music and the fact he owns a rental property in town have been used to support that belief.

"The Predators also haven’t been shy about their interest in Duchene.

"'It's no secret that we talked to Colorado for a long, long time about Duchene,' [president of hockey operations and general manager David] Poile said in November 2017 after helping to facilitate Duchene’s departure from the Avalanche in a three-way trade with the Ottawa Senators."

Poile told NHL.com's Dan Rosen that the Subban trade was partially because "we felt it was necessary to clear up cap space this way."

The Predators used that space to finally sign Duchene.

The 2009 first-round pick is on the move less than five months after the Ottawa Senators traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Once he arrived in Columbus, Duchene scored four goals and registered eight assists in 23 games. 

Overall last season, Duchene tallied 31 goals and 39 assists in 73 games.

Ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft on Friday night, Nashville Predators star P.K. Subban is being mentioned as a potential trade option.

Per SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are looking into Subban's availability if the Predators decide to make a move. 

TSN's Bob McKenzie reported the Predators are believed to be looking to clear cap space to either make a move in free agency or potentially work out an extension with Roman Josi. 

Another potential move Nashville could be exploring involves signing Corey Perry after The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the two sides have mutual interest. 

Subban has three seasons remaining on the eight-year, $72 million deal he originally signed with the Montreal Canadiens in August 2014. His base salary will be $10 million in 2019-20 before dropping to $2 million in each of the final two years of the contract, per Spotrac. 

In 63 games last season, Subban scored nine goals and had 22 assists. His average ice time of 22 minutes, 40 seconds was his fewest since 2010-11.