The Nashville Predators and their fans inch closer to Game One.
The Nashville Predators Pekka Rinne is a Finnish netminder who is a Stanley Cup Championship away from becoming one of the greatest goalies of all time.
The 6’5 Rinne was drafted 258th overall in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. That draft pick could possibly go down as one of the greatest steals ever. Rinne has been nearly everything- an All-Star, Vezina Trophy finalist, and voted the World Championship’s Best Goaltender and MVP.
After backing up Niklas Backstrom in Karpat, Rinne transitioned to the AHL with the Admirals in 2005. Rinne appeared in three solid seasons in Milwaukee before being recalled as Dan Ellis‘s backup after Chris Mason was traded to St. Louis.
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Ellis was coming off a phenomenal year and Rinne was shown the bench. Mid-way through the season, Rinne stole the starting spot and the rest is history. During that fangtastic rookie campaign, Rinne set the franchise record for most rookie shutouts (7).2010 became the year of Rinne.
In the opening game, Rinne collided with Anaheim Ducks forward Troy Bodie and was out until December. During his first month back from injury, Pekka posted a .946 SV% and a 1.71 GAA. He capped his career season off with leading the Predators to their first ever playoff series victory versus the Ducks.
2010 became the year of Rinne. In the opening game, Rinne collided with Anaheim Ducks forward Troy Bodie and was out until December. During his first month back from injury, Pekka posted a .946 SV% and a 1.71 GAA. He capped his career season off with leading the Predators to their first ever playoff series victory versus the Ducks.
The following season, Rinne signed a seven-year $49 million deal which was the largest contract in franchise history at the time. He led the league in wins, shots against, saves and games played that year. Rinne also broke franchise records for most consecutive wins and shutouts.
Pekka Rinne was unstoppable until October of 2013. Earlier that year, Rinne had arthroscopic hip surgery, which eventually became infected and put Rinne out of commission for over a year. After burdensome rehabilitation treatments, Pekka returned to the ice on March 5, 2014 in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After missing the playoffs for back-to-back seasons, Rinne has taken the Predators to the playoffs the past two. In 2014-15, Rinne led the Predators in a hard fought six game series against the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.
Last season, Pekka Rinne almost became the first netminder in franchise history to lead the Predators to the Western Conference Finals. Sadly, the San Jose Sharks knocked the Preds out of the playoffs for the third time in history.
Next season, Pekka Rinne must return to Rinne of 2010, 2011. The front office made a blockbuster trade sending Weber to Montreal for P.K. Subban. The message was clear that the time to win is now. Pekka Rinne has the best blueline in the NHL protecting him and lethal forwards ready for attack. Could 2016-17 possibly be the year that Rinne finally lifts the Stanley Cup over his head?
Stay tuned to Predlines as we continue to count down the days until hockey in Smashville!
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