Nashville Predators: Tee Time With My Favorite Players

1 of 4

Alright, fellow Nashville Predators fans. It goes without saying that it is a stressful time in the off-season. With the expansion draft, entry draft, and free agency coming up, I know I could use a little mental downtime and relaxation before it all gets underway.

We all know the expression every spring (well, summer the last two years) upon elimination. It’s time to hit the golf course!

More from Predlines

Stereotypically, golf is one of many hockey player’s favorite off-season pastimes. Several players post pictures of themselves hitting the links almost daily.

While those tee times have been getting booked up a little earlier than we would hope these past few seasons for our Preds, it got me thinking. Who would I like to tee it up with if I could pick any three current Nashville Predators for a round of golf?

Here’s who’s getting the call to hit the links this summer for 19, I mean 18 Holes this off-season.

Feel free to post yours in the comments/replies, and let’s have some fun before it’s time to get down to business for the draft week.

Nashville Predators (Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports) /

I think most would agree that their first call is going to Pekka Rinne to join them on the tee box. Endless stories, laughs, and an assumedly pretty strong short game would highlight a great four or five hours with a franchise legend,

If I were to guess, “Peks” seems like the kind of guy who swings a set of Callaways that are about 3 to 4 years old and hits the ball about 250-265 off the tee box with his GBB Epics from 2017 (probably rewarded himself after leading the team on a great cup run). GOAT’S gonna GOAT ya know? I’d predict he will shoot about 84 for the round and finish 3rd in our foursome!

If I could ask him one question during the round, I would be hard-pressed not to find out what his favorite mask of all time is that he’s worn throughout his career. He’s had some pretty incredible ones. My vote would be for the “Iron Pred” from the 2018/19 season (Marvel bias in me, of course).

Nashville Predators (Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports) /

I mean, how do you not invite Captain Roman Josi out to the golf course. It may be tough to get him out of the house, given he has a new little one at home, much like Rinne, but Josi would easily be my next call if he can make the time.

To have the chance to speak to Josi about how he processes the game, his thoughts about what the team needs from a player’s perspective to take the next step, fun topics about his love of Tennis, and his honeymoon in Africa. There are so many topics to discuss with the Swiss superstar that I don’t know if one round would be enough.

Being the natural athlete and fierce competitor he is, Josi seems like he swings with the latest trends, much like his fashion choices. I bet he rocks a complete set of new Taylormade SIM2’s (my dream set)!

Josi seems like a very analytical player who makes the smart plays but picks his spots to take risks and pull off some otherworldly shots. In other words, I bet his golf game is much like his game on the ice, silky smooth with some highlight-reel quality shots.

I figure with this playing style, Josi is about an 8-handicap and finishes the round with an even 80, finishing 2nd in the group!

If I could ask Josi a non-hockey-related question, it would have to be what his favorite television show of all time is. He seems like the kind of guy that enjoys the odd Netflix binge and has pretty good taste in television and movies!

Nashville Predators (Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports) /

If you follow Ryan Johansen on social media, you know this guy loves the golf course. He’s on the tunes for the day, playing a mix of Nashville country hits and some classic rock to carry the group through the day.

“Joey” seems like he would be a ton of fun to hang out with any time of year but especially the off-season. He is an absolute must to add to the foursome who would be the life of the party all day long while effortlessly finishing with a 75 and leading the group into the clubhouse for the 19th hole.

A guy that takes great pride in every club that’s in his bag, I have to guess Johansen mixes his set and rocks some of the latest and greatest. He is probably a “new set every year” kind of guy except for his beloved Scotty Cameron putter. I’m going to guess PING G425 MAX Driver and fairway wood combo that he hits 310-325 yard bombs with and some Titleist irons.

I would have a ton of questions for Johansen. Still, I think I would stick to golf-related topics given his passion for the game and ask him what the top courses he has ever played are. Being from the BC area, I can tell you there are plenty of beautiful courses. I would also ask if he could win any major title on the PGA tour, what would it be, and why?

Must Read. Nashville Predators in Precarious Position Regarding Shea Weber’s Future. light

I can only imagine this would be an incredible day with some of my favorite Nashville Predators. Even though I would limp into the clubhouse with anywhere in the 90-95 range on my scorecard, it would not matter to me one bit.

While this would be an awesome foursome, I think after a thorough review, I need to be in on the annual Brent Petersen Golf Classic the team puts on and play “rover” throughout a ton of groups. I would love to chat with Filip Forsberg, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm. And yes, GM David Poile would be right at the top of my list for gentlemen I would love to spend some time with on the golf course.

As I daydream about how awesome of a day this would be, I wonder what your ideal group on the links would be with your favorite Predators if you are a golfer like me? Or who on the team would you like to hang out or share a meal with? Leave your comments and replies below and enjoy the rest of your off-season as the Predators gear up for an assuredly busy one.

Home / Editorials