Nashville Predators: Top-10 Rookie Seasons in Franchise History
By Chad Minton
Juuse Saros, 2017-18
Rookie Numbers: 23 starts, 11-5-7 record, .925 save %, 2.45 GAA, 3 shutouts, All-Rookie Team
When Juuse Saros was called upon in relief in the 2018 playoffs against tough odds and delivered the dominant numbers he did, I knew the Predators had something special waiting behind Pekka Rinne.
Nashville Predators
Saros was quickly viewed as the eventual successor to Rinne, and that’s enormous skates skates to fill. He posted a three-straight playoff appearances in 2018 in relief of Rinne without giving up a goal with 26 saves.
Looking at his technical rookie season, Saros put up an impressive .925 save percentage and made his case known that he’s next in line when Rinne eventually retires.
The relationship between Saros and Rinne has always been a cool thing to see. Rinne showed his class and greatness by mentoring Saros into being in the role he’s in currently as the franchise goaltender. But Saros showed rather quickly in his rookie season that he had the skills to get to where he’s at now.