Nashville Predators Check-in: The NHL’s Master Plan to Return

There was a lot of news in the hockey world this week as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman rolled out the league’s master plan to get back to the rink.

Many look to social media to fill that hole that’s missing in their current sports lives. We’re checking in on some of our favorite Nashville Predators players and the team to see what they have been up to this week.

There’s always a lot to check out on the Predators’ social media sites. It’s also fun to follow individual players. We’re fortunate that the Predators have such a  great social media team and players who are willing to connect with their fans.

More from Predlines

• Nashville Predators 2023 Training Camp Spotlight: Kiefer Sherwood
• Captain Candidates if Nashville Predators Didn’t Have Roman Josi
• The All-Time 25 Games or Less Nashville Predators Lineup
• Nashville Predators 2023 Training Camp Spotlight: Cody Glass
• Joakim Kemell Flashes his Offense in Nashville Predators Loss to Tampa

Until we get back to actual hockey games and normalcy, we’ll be following the team and players closely to see how they’re passing the time and staying ready to go whenever hockey eventually resumes.

NHL Return To Play Plan

Good news, Predators fans. On Tuesday, Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the NHL’s Return To Play Plan outlining the conditions for the return of the NHL playoffs.

If all conditions are met, then play could resume in late July or early August.

All roads point to the Predators taking on the Arizona Coyotes in a “play-in” round. The winner will move on to the first round of the playoffs.

GM David Poile’s Reaction

On Wednesday, GM David Poile gave us his reaction to the NHL’s playoff plan and how the team needs to proceed. There’s lots of great information about how this plan affects the Predators.

As it has to be for ever General Manager in the NHL, this has to be one of the most challenging tasks Poile has ever had to deal with as GM of the Predators.

Navigating through this stoppage and having to figure out how to deal with pending free agents and future draft picks has to be daunting.

Virtual Western Conference Champions

The Predators have done it again, only this time in the virtual world. We’ll take whatever we can get.

The Nashville Predators are Western Conference Champions in EA Sports’ NHL20 season simulation.

Filip Forsberg also won in NHL20 during the pause in the NHL Player Gaming Challenge by taking down the Colorado Avalanche’s J.T. Compher.

It took seven games, but the Predators defeated the St. Louis Blues. They will now virtually play for the Stanley Cup. Maybe we can hang a virtual banner or a real one. With that said, it looks like I beat you to the banner joke.

If the robots know more than we do, then we could be in store for some glorious victory for the Predators later this summer. And at the expense of the Blues? Yes, please.

Happy Birthday, Ekky!!!

May 24th was Mattias Ekholm’s birthday. Everyone wish Ekky a very happy birthday!

Ekholm has always been vastly underrated and buried among an outstanding Predators defensive core. However, this season has been challenging for the defense, and Ekholm is looking to bounce back.

Friendly Reminder

The Predators are teaming up with the American Red Cross of Tennessee to hold a blood drive on June 1st. Click the link and sign up for an appointment today.

During these trying times, it’s good that we can continue to follow our favorite teams on social media to help provide some form of comfort and normalcy.

For more information about COVID-19, visit CDC.gov or the website for your state’s Department of Health.