October.
After all the highs…
After all the heartache…
After the longest summer in recent history*…
October is here.
*Actual historical proof needed
The Recap
If you managed to make it through the end of your summer in complete hockey silence you missed…
Meh.
…Not much to be honest.
The last time we checked in, we said our goodbyes, we welcomed our new guys, we signed some contracts, and two months later…
Things were pretty quiet on the Nashville hockey front.
Well, there was that one thing…
Congrats to @rjosi90, the most beautiful of all #Preds captains! pic.twitter.com/nEH38dsCCN
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) September 19, 2017
The Captain
The Nashville Predators selected Roman Josi as their new Captain.
A new captain for the @PredsNHL: @rjosi90 pic.twitter.com/vdtDRymOw7
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 20, 2017
When Fisher confirmed his retirement we knew the captaincy would come down to Roman Josi or Ryan Ellis. Either would have been the right fit, following the likes of Fisher and Shea Weber.
Laviolette: I asked Ellis and Josi who should be the captain and they each said the other one. That’s respect. #Preds
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) September 19, 2017
It’s just…hockey respect is just…
Ultimately the “C” would go to Josi, with Ellis being made assistant Captain. Honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better leadership group.
Elsewhere…
The team rallied for the Tennessee Titans…
The rookies broke stuff…
There were good times with the Kings of Leon…
…the band was there too…
Kevin Fiala got a chocolate bar the size of Viktor Arvidsson…
And a new family member was welcomed!
DOUG GOT A LITTLE BROTHER!
The end of summer was pretty quiet, but given the whirlwind the Predators went on during the playoffs, quiet may not have been a bad thing.
You know what they say:
It’s always calm before the storm…
It’s always darkest before the dawn…
It’s always boring before hockey season starts*…
You get the point.
*It is known
Welcome Back
There’s no place like home!
Reigning Western Conference Champions
Before the Nashville Predators could embark on their 20th franchise season, there was still some business to attend to.
The @PredsNHL have a new decoration inside @BrdgstoneArena…
Watch: https://t.co/4boivuLGRa pic.twitter.com/RO29SfCLWd
— NHL (@NHL) October 11, 2017
Oh wait—yeah, sorry. We’ve collectively decided the Predators’ 2017-2018 season started on Tuesday night.
Boy am I glad to get this 80-game hockey season underway!
All the teams are 0-0, it’s anyone’s season!
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) October 10, 2017
Any-who…
What a night. #Preds pic.twitter.com/Lxfi6Kjpm3
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) October 11, 2017
Former Captain Mike Fisher returned and joined new Captain Roman Josi in raising the Nashville Predators’ first banner in Bridgestone Arena.
A moment 20 years in the making forever immortalized in Predators history.
The post-credits scene of the 2016-17 season. A bittersweet moment that finally closed out what was one of the most emotional playoff runs in Preds history. It’s the closest thing we’ll get to closure, for now.
And what a ride it was… Cheers to an even better upcoming season! #Preds #ItsBannerSeason 🙌🏽💛 pic.twitter.com/jUw3CwMfvA
— Lexus Lounge (@lexus_lounge) September 30, 2017
She’s a beaut!
But’s what’s done is done and the Preds can’t waste any time living in the past.
Which leads us to Tuesday night.
It wasn’t a complete disaster…
(The recap won’t be up for like 2 hours because I have to delete half of it)
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) October 11, 2017
Coach Laviolette on tonight’s game: “I’m confused.” #Preds
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) October 11, 2017
Un-biased third-party movie voice narrator: but it was still kind of a disaster.
But the toilet was clogged and then they got the plunger and… https://t.co/Yu9eNzPHG3
— Brent Sower (@brentsower) October 11, 2017
Well…at least we don’t have to worry about that boredom thing anymore.
Buckle-up Smashville!