Nashville Predators Player Profiles
Rinne goes back to old equipment, old self in Predators' win (and more from the locker room)
by Marc Torrence on Dec 29, 2011 12:21 AM EST
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
After three straight games of giving up three or more goals, fans were starting to wonder whether Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne was starting to lose his mojo.
But tonight, Rinne silenced those doubters.
The Nashville netminder made 34 saves on 35 shot attempts and came through when it mattered most in the win.
"[Rinne] was really good," head coach Barry Trotz said after the game. "He shut them down."
28 commentsRyan Ellis solid in NHL debut (and more from around the locker room in Nashville's loss)
by Marc Torrence on Dec 27, 2011 12:13 AM EST
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
What a day for Ryan Ellis.
After taking the morning skate for the Milwaukee Admirals in preparation for their game against the Rockford Ice Hogs, Ellis was called into the team's office and was informed that he would instead be in Nashville playing against the Detroit Red Wings
When it was deemed that Shea Weber would be out of the lineup with an unspecified upper-body injury, Barry Trotz needed a sixth defenseman. He called Admirals head coach Ian Herbers and simply said, "send me your best guy."
Ellis was that guy.
Gameday Feature: Forward Craig Smith making his mark in Nashville
by Marc Torrence on Oct 29, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
At the Nashville Predators rookie camp this summer, then-Wisconsin Badger Craig Smith was set to return to school and hone his game for another year at the college level.
"There's so many positives to coming here, to signing pro with this organization or going back," he said at the time. "When it came down to it, it just felt right in my heart to come back and I was comfortable with that decision and so was Nashville."
Luckily for Predators fans, Smith had a change of heart.
Ryan Suter 2011-2012 Season Preview: Here Comes Payday
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 12, 2011 5:32 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
Ryan Suter is one of the shining examples of Nashville's ability to draft and develop quality NHL defensemen, a player who seems to take significant steps forward every year, and has now reached elite status within the league.
Ryan Suter
#20 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators
6-1
198
Jan 21, 1985 2011-2012 Salary: $3.5 million
Unrestricted Free Agent in 2012
Drafted in 1st Round (7th) by Nashville in 2003
70 GP 4 Goals 35 Assists +20, 54 PIM, 115 Shots, Avg. Ice Time 25:12
The question now, however, is whether the Predators can afford to keep him, as Unrestricted Free Agency approaches in the summer of 2012, or will that year mark the apocalypse for the Predators' blueline?
Nick Spaling 2011-2012 Season Preview - Completing the puzzle
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 10, 2011 9:51 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
One of the great surprises from the 2010-2011 Nashville Predators season was the development of Nick Spaling as a penalty killer and checking forward, which saw him assume a regular spot in the lineup. He moved ahead of more heralded draft picks, and is being touted for an even more prominent position on this year's team.
Nick Spaling
#13 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-1
198
Sep 19, 1988
2011-2012 Salary: $1 million Restricted Free Agent in 2013
Drafted in 2nd Round (58th) by Nashville in 2007
74 GP 8 Goals 6 Assists -10, 20 PIM, 75 Shots, Avg. Ice Time 13:56
What are Nick's prospects for delivering the goods and becoming a productive two-way forward this season? We'll examine them after the jump...
Jerred Smithson 2011-2012 Season Preview - Every Coach's Dream
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 10, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
If anybody has the right to be called "Every Coach's Dream" in Nashville, it's a guy like Jerred Smithson (most certainly not Chris Johnson of the Titans), who does the dirty, unrewarded work that is a prerequisite for team success.
Jerred Smithson
#25 / Left Wing / Nashville Predators
6-3
209
Feb 04, 1979
2011-2012 Salary: $800,000 Unrestricted Free Agent in 2013
Signed as free agent by Nashville in July, 2004
82 GP 5 Goals 8 Assists -6, 34 PIM, 73 Shots, Avg. Ice Time 14:51
Follow after the jump as our player preview series examines the unheralded grinder who has established himself as a vital cog in the Predators machine...
Cal O'Reilly 2011-2012 Season Preview - Time To Shine
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 9, 2011 6:25 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
Cal O'Reilly tantalized Nashville Predators fans with his offensive contributions early last season, establishing some chemistry with Steve Sullivan. A protracted cold stretch culminated in a season-ending leg injury, however, putting his ascension within the Preds organization on hold until this fall. With competition rising from youngers players like Blake Geoffrion and Craig Smith, can Cal still carve out a role for himself as a playmaker?
Cal O`Reilly
#16 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-0
188
Sep 30, 1986
2011-2012 Salary: $1.05 million Restricted Free Agent in 2012
Drafted in 5th Round (150th) by Nashville in 2005
38 GP 6 Goals 12 Assists +4, 2 PIM, 44 Shots, Avg. Ice Time 16:54
Sure, we're into the season now, but I'll keep plugging away with these player previews if you follow after the jump!
David Legwand 2011-2012 Season Preview - Skating Uphill
by Dirk Hoag on Oct 5, 2011 5:17 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Player Profiles
He leads the Nashville Predators in career Games Played, Goals, Assists and Points, and is relied upon to fill a variety of roles for Barry Trotz on a nightly basis. But for many fans, David Legwand represents a reservoir of untapped potential, perhaps a legacy from that 2nd-overall draft choice which kicked off the Predators franchise back in 1998.
David Legwand
#11 / Center / Nashville Predators
6-2
204
Aug 17, 1980
2011-2012 Salary: $4.5 million Unrestricted Free Agent in 2014
Drafted in 1st Round (2nd) by Nashville in 1998
64 GP 17 Goals 24 Assists +13, 24 PIM, 130 Shots, Avg. Ice Time 18:48
As he embarks on his 12th full season as a Nashville Predator, how much should fans expect from Leggy?
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