Nashville Predators: 5 Reasons to be thankful to be a Preds fan

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When you sit down with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, enjoy that meal knowing you are a fan of the best team in the NHL.

If you’re like me, you have some non-Preds hockey fans in your life. In my case, I live in central Illinois and get the joy of driving north into Blackhawks territory fairly regularly. The joy I get from wearing a Nashville Predators hat, shirt, jacket and jersey up there is something I’m thankful for. There is a cornucopia of reasons to be thankful for Preds-fandom, but we’ll just stick to five.

However you celebrate the holiday, you’ll have some Predators-related bullet points to share.

Reason #1: Uniqueness

There is no team like the Nashville Predators. They said hockey couldn’t work in the south. They tried in Atlanta. Twice. They even tried to move the Preds! The franchise remained in Music City, though, and in a lot of ways, are more “Nashville” than the Titans, the other big sports team in the city that plays in the NFL, you might have heard of it.

Sure, you have teams in Florida and Tampa Bay, which are technically south, but, with all due respect, that’s different. The Predators embraced the culture of the city and weren’t afraid to try “controversial” ideas.

Yellow jerseys?! Yellow helmets!? “Get the Red Out”?!

Some ideas didn’t really work. Remember the gold ice idea a few years back? Even so, the courage to try to be unique is part of the beauty of this team! They did it their own way. They didn’t try to be Chicago, Detroit, or anyone else. They took some things from those franchises, but they stayed true to their roots: Nashville.

Now, they’re kind of trend-setters. I look at the success and atmosphere of the Vegas Golden Knights and see a lot of similarities to Nashville. They are boldly embracing the Vegas-ness and trying to make the whole experience exciting and entertaining, as you’d expect in “Sin City”.

Nashville is the blue-print (gold-print?) for success in non-traditional markets. It is about growing roots in the city you play in and making that culture shine through.

(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Reason #2: Pekka Rinne

Of all the players that have come through the Predators organization, is there one that is more beloved or a part of Nashville Predators lore than Pekka Rinne?

Whether it is some amazing saves in big moments, the first individual player award in team history or just being an amazingly loveable guy, Pekka Rinne is an amazing reason to be thankful to be a Preds fan. He is one of the easiest players to enjoy cheering for in the league and he’s been such a huge part of Nashville’s success, playing the most important position on the ice.

As we have done so many times in so many games: Thank God for Pekka Rinne!

(Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Reason #3: Part of the Family

Never was it more apparent to the world how much the fans loved their team than when the Nashville Predators made their run to the Stanley Cup Final. Fans poured out of Bridgestone Arena and onto Broadway and into the surrounding bars and pubs, all for the Predators.

Occasionally, I’ll see someone wearing Preds gear in my area and the “Go Preds!” we share is something to behold. That is somewhat expected, though. To be in Nashville, right outside the arena, and share “Go Preds!” with fellow fans feels even more special. Of course there are fans there, why do we need to share our love outside the stadium when we’ll all be cheering together inside it? Because we’re a family, of sorts.

I’ve bonded with cousins, brothers, sisters, parents and strangers over the Preds and it continues to be one of the biggest reasons I’m thankful to be a Preds fan.

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 11: The Nashville Predators mascot ‘Gnash’ flies into the arena prior to Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bridgestone Arena on June 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Reason #4: Gnash

Everyone thinks their team’s mascot is the best. But Gnash just is.

Gritty in Philly got headlines this summer, Bailey in LA has a sick Twitter game, but Gnash is the O.G. Repelling onto the ice or zooming in on an ATV, Gnash does it all. He’s got a must-follow Twitter account and little kids aren’t afraid of him because he’s not creepy. I’m looking at you, nearly every other mascot in existence.

The only complaint I can give about Gnash, is that he can’t be everywhere all the time. I love that cat.

ST. PAUL, MN – NOVEMBER 16: The Nashville Predators celebrate after scoring in the 3rd period during the Central Division game between the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild on November 16, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Predators 6-4. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Reason #5: We’ve got an amazing team

If I remember correctly, our Predators won the President’s trophy last season.

In addition, didn’t we represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup a couple of years ago?

There is great hockey going on in Smashville, in addition to all the great stuff going on off of the ice. The Preds boast the best corp of defensemen in the NHL. I don’t care what the experts say about San Jose. They are second best. If you value defensemen that can truly do it all, you cannot find a better group than P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Dan Hamhuis, Yannick Weber, Anthony Bitetto, and the other defensemen that are bound to be coming up through the system. Nashville knows defensemen and it’s glorious.

Filip Forsberg provides a bona-fide star, bordering on superstar, for the Predators organization and, along with Viktor Arvidsson, Craig Smith, Kevin Fiala, Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris, and Eli Tolvanen, to name just a few, the Preds are in good hands. Literally, having you seen the silky mitts on some of these guys? Samuel Girard still can’t sleep after what Forsberg did to him last post-season.

In the end, we all have a lot to be thankful for. Take time to thank the people in your various relationships for what they have done, continue to do, and will do and be for you going forward. Life is precious and amazing. Be thankful.

Next. Nylander an option with Arvy out?. dark

Especially if you’re a Preds fan!

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