Nashville Predators Puck Drop: We Say Goodbye To Some Veterans

Welcome to The Puck Drop, a weekly roundup of all things Nashville Predators. We look at news stories, social media posts, and everything else regarding YOUR NASHVILLE PREDATORS.

It was a jam-packed week for the Predators as they said goodbye to a couple of veteran players and hello to some new faces during the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

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Veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft on Wednesday, ending months of speculation regarding which player the newest team in the NHL would choose from the Predators.

Jarnkrok, who played eight seasons in Nashville, was a fan favorite and one of the team’s most consistent and well-rounded players.

A quick look at Jarnkrok’s stats, including six straight seasons with 26 or more points, will tell you that he will not only be missed on the ice but also in the locker room, where he provided veteran leadership.

The Predators also said goodbye to veteran defenseman Ryan Ellis. GM David Poile traded Ellis to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Phillipe Myers and Nolan Patrick. Patrick was then traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, bringing forward Cody Glass to Nashville.

Until this trade, Ellis spent his entire career in Nashville. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Ellis, who was also an associate captain, will be missed by fans and the team alike.

While the move to trade Ellis came as a shock to fans, it was all part of GM David Poile’s plan to implement a youth movement and start planning for Nashville’s future.

Next season may get a little bumpy with Poile relying on the “youth” of the team moving forward. Barring any major free-agent veteran signings, the Predators lowered the average age of their team considerably in recent weeks.

It will be exciting to see some fresh new faces at training camp as a mixture of new players and veterans look to the franchise’s future and get ready for the 2021-22 NHL season.

We Will Miss You, Ironhook

It’s sad when we have to say goodbye to our favorite players. Calle Jarnkrok is no exception. The Seattle Kraken made a good choice and will be getting a very versatile and experienced forward.

However, the mood slightly lifted during Seattle’s announcement that they had chosen Jarnkrok. Veteran NFL star Marshawn Lynch had a little trouble pronouncing Calle’s last name and referred to him as “the Boy Boy Calle.”

We will miss you, Calle. Best of luck to you and your family as a new journey begins in Seattle.

We Will Miss You, Elly

Ryan Ellis meant a lot to this Predators team and their fans. His leadership on and off the ice will be hard to replace. The Flyers are gaining one of the top defensemen in the league.

Best of luck to you and your family, Ryan. The Nashville Predators and their fans will miss you.

The Nashville Predators Welcomes New Prospects

With the 19th and 27th overall picks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Predators selected two forwards, Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L’Heureux. Nashville acquired the 27th pick in a trade with the Dallas Stars, giving them picks 40 and 51.

Svechkov spent last season with Lada Togliatti in Russia’s second league. Next season he will be playing for SKA Saint Petersburg, joining fellow Predators prospect Iaroslav Askarov.

L’Heureux plays for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. L’Heureux tallied 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) last season for the Mooseheads.

We welcome both of these players to Smashville and can’t wait to see them on the ice.

Nashville Predators Release 2021-22 Schedule

On Thursday, the Predators released their full schedule for the upcoming season. In addition, their pre-season schedule was also released this week.

The Predators start the season on October 14 with a four-game stand in Bridgestone Arena.

One of the more notable games is the season opener against the Seattle Kraken. This game will allow fans to honor former Predator and current Kraken, Calle Jarnkrok.

Fans will also have an opportunity to give a proper goodbye to Viktor Arvidsson as the L.A. Kings are the third game on the schedule. Ryan Ellis and his new team, the Philadelphia Flyers, won’t face the Predators in Nashville until March 2022.

This upcoming season will be the first time that the NHL will be back to a normal, 82-game schedule in two seasons. So which games will you be attending this season? Let us know in the comments below.