Unhealthy information for the remainder of the league. I’m afraid the NHL simply let Nashville get as sizzling as their rooster. Don’t ask me how, however the Preds signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Should you’re a kind of of us who “doesn’t actually do hockey” nicely, let me hit you why that is large for the Preds.
Who Are These Guys?
First off, let’s meet the most recent Nashville transplants. The one one’s who moved to city for one thing apart from nation music.
Steven Stamkos: Image Tom Brady on skates. Or at very least John Elway on skates. Stamkos is a two-time Cup champ and has a knack for scoring objectives prefer it’s his day job – which it’s, however like he’s actually good at it. Dude, can mild the lamp like a clap-on. And after he does, you’ll get your clap on.
Jonathan Marchessault: Consider him because the underdog out of your favourite sports activities film. He won’t have been a family title, however boy, does he additionally know the best way to mild the lamp. He’s the type of participant who sneaks up on you and earlier than you realize it, he’s scored a hatty.
Brady Skjei: Pronounced “Shay” (yeah, hockey names, man), he’s the man who stands between the puck and the online. A stable defenseman with the grace of a dancer however the toughness of a linebacker. Ought to the Titans look to signal him to certain up their linebacking corps? Look, persons are asking.
Why Is This a Massive Deal?
That is your favourite band including three extra rockstars in a single day. Like if Chad Kroeger from Nickelback, Scott Stapp from Creed, and whoever the lead singer of Hinder is all determined to hitch forces along with your favourite band Think about Dragons. That is the Dodgers grabbing Freeman, Ohtani, and Betts. However in hockey. Three of the highest 5 free brokers this summer time will now be rocking gold. Right here’s what you may anticipate:
- Targets Galore: With Stamkos and Marchessault, it’s like including additional sizzling sauce to your already spicy rooster. Think about a prime line with them and Fil Forsberg, who’s coming off — oh yeah, simply the franchise document for objectives scored in Preds historical past. Frankly, we would see the puck within the opposing staff’s web greater than we see it out of it.
- Strong Protection: Brady Skjei is like that buddy who at all times has your again. His job? Cease pucks, hit laborious, and look cool doing it. Strong defenders is nothing new to Predators lore, however anticipate so as to add his weird-ass title to the lengthy record of Preds defensemen greats.
- Star Energy: These are family names for a staff that’ll be simply 8 years faraway from a Cup run that rocked Decrease Broad, persons are nonetheless speaking about it.
The Barry Trotz Impact
Now, let’s not overlook the mastermind behind this wizardry – Barry Trotz, the Predators’ Normal Supervisor. He’s the king Midas of hockey. All the things he touches turns to gold. I don’t need to get out forward of my skates right here, however each transfer he has made has labored. And labored nicely. If hockey have been a cooking present, Barry Trotz could be the chef whipping up a Michelin-starred meal out of some fundamental substances and a whole lot of magic. And we should always all simply stand again and watch Chef Trotzy cook dinner. And this triple signing on the primary day of free company, simply earlier than a protracted vacation weekend is like your dad stepping again from the grill and saying “Maintain my beer,” whereas he places one other steak on the grill. Or three of them.
What’s Subsequent for the Preds?
Now that the Predators have assembled the Avengers, I’m certain there will probably be a little bit of a studying curve. Your prime line has 120-plus objectives between them, and final I checked, they nonetheless solely play with one puck. However the fireplace on fifth and Broadway is most actually again. I simply hope the Preds don’t proceed to outprice the diehards. However I do know I’ll be watching intently from Chicago.
So, Why Ought to You Care?
Even if you happen to’re simply right here for the nachos, beer, and intermission bands, the Predators’ new signings imply extra enjoyable for everybody. Extra objectives, extra wins, and extra causes to high-five strangers and chant “IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!” at opposing goalies.
Simply let me warn the NHL one final time: don’t let the Nashville Predators get sizzling!
