Nashville Predators: Top-10 Rookie Seasons in Franchise History
By Chad Minton
Pekka Rinne, 2008-09
Rookie Numbers: 49 starts, 29-15-4, .917 save %, 2.38 GAA, 7 shutouts, 4th in Calder voting
I know, I know. You’re already shaking your head at me that I don’t have Pekka Rinne at the top spot on this list. But I implore you to hear me out on how difficult this was to choose.
Rinne had zero, yes zero, career NHL starts to his name before going on his astounding rookie campaign that saw him start 49 games for a Predators team that needed him badly. It’s no accident that the following season the Predators cracked hit 100 points in the standings.
The seven shutouts Rinne posted as a rookie isn’t even the most impressive stat for me. It’s the low GAA of 2.38 which is actually slightly below his career average. He shot right out of the gate and ended up being the cornerstone of this franchise.
Maybe you can call this 1B to 1A, but I decided not to put Rinne at the top spot of best rookie seasons. Only because the team did still finish out of the playoffs, and his save percentage wasn’t out of this world.
I’m splitting hairs here, but I had to choose. Here’s my winner.