Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame's class of 2026 along with five others Monday.
Rinne played all 15 seasons of his career with the Predators, starting in 683 games, winning 369, and averaging a .917-save percentage and 2.43 goals against. He is the only player in franchise history to have their number retired, with his #35 hanging in the rafters at Bridgestone Arena since February 2022.
He will join defenseman Shea Weber and general manager David Poile, both classes of 2024, to represent the Predators in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
"The honor represents me and all of the members of the Nashville Predators organization,” Rinne told NHL.com. “It’s surreal to think I will be joining my teammate Shea Weber in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
The Finland native is one of the best goalies in league history, ranking fifth in SV% and seventh in GAA among goalies with 500 or more starts. Rinne is also one of 17 goalies in NHL history to score a goal, with his coming from the 2019-20 campaign.
He is a Vezina Trophy winner (2017-18) and four-time trophy finalist. Rinne also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in his final season, awarded to the league's player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and community contribution. On top of his award case, he is also a four-time NHL All-Star (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019) and IIHF World Championship silver medalist (2014).
Rinne left his mark on Predators history, cemented as the franchise goat
Rinne is considered the goat in the Preds organization, and for good reason. He helped carry the team on multiple playoffs runs, including eight-straight seasons of postseason action. In the 2016-17 season, Rinne led the Preds to a lengthy run, making it all the way to game six of the Stanley Cup Finals. He would finish the playoffs with a .930 SV% and 1.96 GAA with two shutouts, proving to be the X-Factor in the run.
His legacy is still felt in the modern day. Rinne was a huge mentor for fellow goalie Juuse Saros, who quickly filled in his shoes as the Preds next mastermind in net. Rinne still lingers within the organization, serving as a scout and development coach since 2023.
Whether it was by stopping the puck a million times, guiding the next wave of Preds goalies, or finding the next draft gem, Rinne is one of the most important figures in Predators and even Nashville history. His statue outside of Bridgestone Arena reminds fans and Nashville residents what it means to be both a leader on and off the ice. Smashville would not be as strong as it is without him.
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