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Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne calls it a career

Written by SFDI on July 20, 2021. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

By Neil Becker

Following an impressive 15- year career with the Nashville Predators, fan favorite Pekka Rinne has decided to hang up the pads.

Drafted in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Predators, this 36- year-old goaltender established himself by playing 683 career games and posting a 369-213-75 record along with 60 total shutouts and a 2.43 G.A.A.

Rinne, who is a four- time all-star and leads the franchise in all time wins and shutouts, enjoyed his finest season in 2017-18, when he posted a 42-13-4 record with eight shutouts and a 2.31 G.A.A. which earned him the Vezina Trophy.

“For more than 15 years, I’ve been on an incredible, life-changing journey with the Nashville Predators that has taken me to more places than I could have ever imagined and given me more than I could ever hope to give back,” Rinne told NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but I know this is the right one at the right time. As I announce my retirement, I’m thankful for my parents, sisters, fiancé Erika, everyone in the Predators organization-management, coaches and trainers-my teammates and my youth coaches back in Finland. Last but not least, I’m thankful for the people of Nashville. Each of you helped me grow into the man, father and person I am today.”

Proving to be a strong positive role model, Rinne, has made history by ranking number one among Finnish goalies for NHL games, starts and wins.

Rinne has also left his mark in the post-season where he ranks number one in Predators franchise history with 89 starts and 45 wins.

Leaving on a high note Rinne, who this year completed a two- year 10 million contract, finished off his career on May 10^th with a 5-0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena.

“I don’t know how much that factored in to my decision to retire, but you can’t reproduce that,” Rinne told NHL.com. “For sure everything went like in the movies. Now looking back, it was such a special ending to my career.”

Other notable accomplishments in Rinne’s storied career also include winning this year the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and that magical night on January 9, 2020, against the Chicago Blackhawks, when he made history by becoming only the 12^th goalie to score a goal.

There is no question that Rinne, who was the face of the Predators franchise will be greatly missed.

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Carolina Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton wants to stay in Carolina

Written by SFDI on July 15, 2021. Posted in Blog. Leave a Comment

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By Neil Becker

Once NHL Free Agency kicks off, you can bet there would be a ton of interest in blue chip defenceman Dougie Hamilton.

Hamilton, who at 27 years of age, is still in his prime, is coming off a strong season which saw him lead the Carolina Hurricanes defense core with 10 goals and 42 points in what was the final year of a lucrative six- year $34.5 million dollar contract.

Originally drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, this up-and-coming star played three years in Beantown before being dealt on June 26, 2015 in a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames. Days later, Hamilton was awarded with a lucrative six-year $34.5 million dollar contract which he signed.

In Calgary, Hamilton’s offensive statistics would continue to steady rise as he became among the league’s elite defenseman. During his second year as a Flame, Hamilton produced 13 goals and a career high 50 points. All together he would stay a total of three years out west until once again finding himself on the move. This time, he was traded on June 23, 2018 in another blockbuster trade only this time with the Carolina Hurricanes.

This past season, which was Hamilton’s third in Carolina, he was getting early consideration for the Norris Trophy until he suffered a fractured left fibula on January 16 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He still managed to score a more than respectable 14 goals and 40 points in only 47 games played.

Looking ahead, Hamilton, who on July 28, will be an unrestricted free agent, stressed that he would like to stay in Carolina.

“For me, I’d like to stay here, but I’m going to let my agent (J.P. Barry) and (Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell) talk,” Hamilton, back in early January told nhl.com Independent Correspondent Kurt Dusterberg. “I just want to focus on hockey and helping the team win.”

During Hamilton’s career this 6 foot 6, 245- pound nine- year veteran has competed in 607 games where he has scored 106 goals along with 341 points and 390 penalty minutes.

Without question, Carolina would like to re-sign Hamilton, however they do have some major decisions to make in the coming years on other important expiring contracts.

Next summer, decisions will have to be made on the contracts of scoring forwards Vincent Trocheck, Nino Niederreiter and Martin Necas. Meanwhile, the following off-season will see captain Jordan Staal’s contract up for renegotiation. Other tough decisions will have to be made when in the summer of 2023, Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei’s contracts all expire.

Hamilton is an established smooth skating top six defenseman who not only bring offensive punch but plays physical and is a leader. He wants to stay in Carolina, but if an agreement can’t be met, expect plenty of interest in the open market.

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