Back at the end of August, I was sitting at the local chain restaurant named for buffalo wings with a group of friends as we painstakingly worked our way through a live fantasy football draft. It’s a group of people who don’t all see each other that often, so it has become a bit of a yearly tradition that we all eagerly await. In the downtime between a couple of picks, my buddy Keith and I started talking hockey. We are both big fans and training camp was about to start, so it was only natural. We got on the topic of our favorite players who are not members of the Nashville Predators, which then led me to the premise of this piece:
Imagine you must choose the jersey of a player from each team to wear. Yes, even the teams you may hate the most. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a “gun to your head” kind of moment. Or maybe Gary Bettman has finally grown weary of the “boos” raining down on him at each year’s NHL Entry Draft, he’s tapped you to go out on stage for each 1st round selection, and he demands that you wear each team’s jersey while announcing the player chosen. Whatever the reason, who would you choose? I have created my list below, with some explanation. Fair warning: sometimes the explanation has real substance, and sometimes I simply like the player’s name or number (but sadly, no selections were made because the player wears 69).
Here we go!
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
Players considered: David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask
Who I chose: Tuukka Rask
Right out of the gate, this one was a tough choice for me. Pastrnak is a really fun young player to watch. He’s one of Boston’s most dangerous scorers. Just look at the tear he’s on to start the season. He recently scored five consecutive goals for his team, including all four of the Bruins’ goals in a win over Anaheim. He has 10 goals in 9 games this season. Plus, his nickname is “Pasta.” Who doesn’t love pasta?!
Ultimately, though, I have to go with Tuukka Rask. I have admired his play for several years. What can I say? I’m a sucker for quality Finnish goaltending. *winks at Pekka Rinne*
Buffalo Sabres
Players considered: Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Eichel, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Who I chose: Rasmus Dahlin
First, let me say Buffalo has one of the more beautiful jerseys in the league. And sure, Jack Eichel is the star for the Sabres. And there’s no way a name like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could not be considered. But I’m going with the teenage phenom defenseman here. It’s hard not to enjoy watching him play.
Detroit Red Wings
Players considered: Jimmy Howard, Dylan Larkin
Who I chose: Dylan Larkin
This was one of those teams that I didn’t really like figuring out who to pick. I don’t necessarily have strong feelings against the Red Wings anymore (now that they are not division rivals with Nashville), but they have certainly dominated the Predators as of late. I’m sure you already know that the Nashville Predators are 1-10 against Detroit since Peter Laviolette was hired as head coach. Anyway, Larkin is another impressive young player to watch.
Florida Panthers
Players considered: Aleksander Barkov, Evgenii Dadonov, Aaron Ekblad
Who I chose: Evgenii Dadonov
Full disclosure, I don’t know Dadonov well. Barkov and Ekblad are both really great players, but I figure I’ve already used that excuse a few times. Plus, I love Russian names in hockey, and Evgenii Dadonov is a great one.
Montreal Canadiens
Players Considered: Shea Weber
Who I chose: Shea Weber
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Shea Weber. My absolute favorite Nashville Predator. And while I loved PK Subban too, I sure hated seeing Weber get moved.
Ottawa Senators
Players considered: Artem Anisimov, Vladislav Namestnikov
Who I chose: Vladislav Namestnikov
Poor Senators. Poor fans, poor players. It’s just not going well for them lately. They do have some pretty nice jerseys, though. And one of those white Senator sweaters with NAMESTNIKOV on the back sounds like a dream to me.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Players Considered: Nikita Kucherov, Kevin Shattenkirk
Who I chose: Nikita Kucherov
All I really need to do here is show you this video:
And he’s done that more than once. Unbelievable.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Players considered: John Tavares
Who I chose: John Tavares
Any chance Auston Matthews had of being the pick here went out the window with his idiotic actions this summer in Scottsdale, AZ. In case you’re not familiar, it started with Matthews and some friends deciding to “prank” a female security guard by startling her in her car, and ended with him dropping his pants in front of her when she confronted the group. I mean, seriously. What kind of jackassery is that?
John Tavares is just a good story for the Maple Leafs. Say what you want about how his time with the Islanders ended, but he always loved Toronto, and wanted to be there. And he’s not just a hometown hero. He’s a total stud.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
Players considered: Sebastian Aho, Ryan Dzingel, Nino Niederreiter, Teuvo Teravainen
Who I chose: Nino Niederreiter
The Carolina Hurricanes were a fun story to follow last year, but to be completely honest, I do not know their individual players very well. I know Sebastian Aho is going to be a superstar, and that he has great chemistry with linemates Niederreiter and Teravainen. I knew the former as a good player with a great name on a division rival (the Minnesota Wild), and that he struggled last year before being shipped to Carolina. Here’s to him finding more success in Raleigh.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Players considered: Seth Jones, Riley Nash
Who I chose: Seth Jones
Simply put, Seth Jones is another former Nashville Predator who I really liked when he was here. I feel like a lot of fans had a negative opinion of him that was not entirely deserved, and he has blossomed into one of the league’s better defenders since being traded to Columbus in exchange for Ryan Johansen.
New Jersey Devils
Players considered: Nico Hischier, PK Subban
Who I chose: PK Subban
Pernell Karl Subban was one of my favorite players in the league long before he became a Predator, and my adoration for him only grew when he began to wear gold.
New York Islanders
Players Considered: Mathew Barzal, Cal Clutterbuck
Who I chose: Mathew Barzal
Again, Barzal is just a really good young player, and I actually tend to like his confident, sometimes brash, personality. I think it’s entertaining, and I personally love when an NHL player bucks the trend of never saying anything other than mild mannered hockey cliches.
New York Rangers
Players considered: Henrik Lundqvist, Artemi Panarin, Brady Skjei
Who I chose: Brady Skjei
Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best goalies there’s ever been, and Artemi Panarin is an incredibly talented goal scorer with a great name, but how could I not go with the man who’s jersey played such an important role in this video from Chance the Rapper, aka Lazlo Holmes?
“Yeah that is a S, a K, and a J all together…so that’s a nope.” So great.
Philadelphia Flyers
Players considered: Claude Giroux, Carter Hart
Who I chose: Claude Giroux
Carter Hart is a cool story, especially if he continues to perform well, but I’m going with Giroux here. The reason is a little random. I’m also a big soccer fan, and one of my favorite players for while in the Premier League has been Olivier Giroud. So I’m going with the talented Flyer who shares a similar name.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Players considered: Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist
Who I chose: Jake Guentzel
I know, my trend has been to go with former Predators, but watching Hornqvist bank a shot off the back of Pekka Rinne and into the net to win the Stanley Cup in Nashville is just a little too fresh in my mind. Guentzel is a great player, even if he did score the GWG in game 1 of that same series.
Washington Capitals
Players considered: TJ Oshie, Alex Ovechkin
Who I chose: Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin winning the Stanley Cup is everything I dreamed it would be. The man basically went on a three month bender, highlighted by going for a swim in a Georgetown fountain. The whole thing was reminiscent of JR Smith winning the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers, and then essentially not wearing a shirt ever again. I love Ovi, and he’s one of the greatest hockey players that has ever lived. Depending on his longevity, Wayne Gretzky’s goals record isn’t totally out of the question. Can he play long enough?
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Players considered: Olli Maatta, Brandon Saad, Jonathan Toews
Who I chose: Jonathan Toews
Any chance I’m allowed to choose Scott Foster? Because I would absolutely choose the jersey of the accountant-by-day emergency goalie who had to finish a game for the Blackhawks in 2017. No? Okay, fine.
I never want to wear a Chicago jersey, but Toews is the best choice. He’s a good player, and seems to be a generally nice guy.
Colorado Avalanche
Players considered: Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Colin Wilson
Who I chose: Colin Wilson
I know. You’re shocked. Another former Predator as my pick. But I have more than that this time. A few years ago, in my first full year as a teacher, Colin Wilson came to my school to talk with our students about bullying. He did a great job, took some time to meet with specific students, and hung out at the school for quite a while meeting teachers. I got to talk with him for several minutes, and really loved how kind and happy to meet everyone he was. Good guy, Colin Wilson.
Dallas Stars
Players considered: Ben Bishop, Miro Heiskanen
Who I chose: Miro Heiskanen
After Nashville’s 1st round exit at the hands of the Stars last season, this name may still strike fear into the hearts of Predators’ fans. He had already quietly become one of Dallas’ better players toward the end of the regular season, and he only elevated his play in his first ever NHL postseason.
Minnesota Wild
Players considered: Mikko Koivu, Mats Zuccarello
Who I chose: Mats Zuccarello
“I told him when I was talking to him that he’s like a lizard, the way a lizard takes his tongue and sticks it as far as it does and retrieves what it was trying to do.”
Seeing Zuccarello’s name will now forever be associated with what former Wild GM Paul Fenton said about him after signing him in free agency. I had to go with everyone’s favorite reptile, here.
Nashville Predators
Players considered: Pretty much all of them…
Who I chose: Viktor Arvidsson
It was tough to narrow this down to one player for Nashville, but I think it ultimately has to be Arvidsson. Everything about his path to the NHL is an inspiring story. He wasn’t selected in the NHL Draft until his fourth try after being eligible, finally being chosen by Nashville in the 4th round of 2014. I don’t believe anyone in the league has worked harder than he has to get here. To top it all off, he has the skill to match his work ethic. He’s already an incredibly dangerous player, and I still don’t think he’s as good as he can be. If he ever gets there, he will become a league superstar.
St. Louis Blues
Players considered: Jay Bouwmeester, Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko
Who I chose: Vladimir Tarasenko
Brayden Schenn was a fun player to watch in this past Stanley Cup final, and Bouwmeester is a finalist thanks mostly to his name, but Vladimir Tarasenko is my favorite hockey player that isn’t a Nashville Predator. No question about it. There are a number of players I like a lot, but he tops the list.
Winnipeg Jets
Players considered: Connor Hellebuyck, Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele
Who I chose: Patrik Laine
Laine’s release is unbelievable. He can have the puck in the back of the net before it even looks like he’s set up to shoot. Every single time he has possession in the offensive zone and any space at all, he is a legitimate threat to score. He’s just another young stud who I love watching, even if he does play for a division rival.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks
Players considered: Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverburg
Who I chose: Ryan Kesler
I do not like Ryan Kesler. He’s one of a very small number of players who I think truly plays dirty. But I’m actually choosing him because I’m reminded of the exchange between he and Nashville center Ryan Johansen in the 2017 Western Conference Final.
While Johansen was mic’d up during the series, he was heard telling Kesler, “You’re a f****** loser! Nobody likes you!” The two essentially spent the entirety of the six game series going after each other both verbally and physically, but to me, this was easily the most hilarious point of the feud.
Arizona Coyotes
Players considered: Phil Kessel, the defensemen
Who I chose: Phil Kessel
I’ll talk about Kessel in a minute, but how about a hand for the names in the Coyotes defensive group? Kyle Capobianco, Jakob Chychrun, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Alex Goligoski, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Jordan Oesterle. Best collection of names on one team of all time? Maybe.
Anyway, Phil Kessel is good. He’s got speed, puck handling ability, and a quick release. But it isn’t those things alone that made me go with Kessel. It’s that he’s got all those things despite looking the least like an athlete of any athlete I’ve ever seen. Seriously. Look at this guy. Respect.
Calgary Flames
Players considered: Johnny Gaudreau
Who I chose: Johnny Gaudreau
The roster for the Flames is most definitely one where I am lacking in knowledge. But Johnny G is good, well-known, and makes me think of the song “Johnny B. Goode.” That’s all I need.
Edmonton Oilers
Players considered: Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid
Who I chose: Connor McDavid
As much as I like Draisaitl as a player, and for his name, I can’t not pick McDavid. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the most skilled and exciting hockey player I have watched live (both on TV and in real life). I know, you’ll want to tell me that Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky are better, and that’s fine, but I would respond with 2 things:
- I disagree that Crosby is better. He’s had the better career as a whole so far, but McDavid hasn’t been around all that long.
- I never saw Wayne Gretzky play hockey in real life, or even on live TV, I’m pretty sure. I wasn’t that interested in hockey until after he retired. I’ve only seen highlights, and yes, he was better.
I like McDavid a lot, and I hope that the Oilers put together a great team around him so that he can win championships.
Los Angeles Kings
Players considered: Anze Kopitar, Ilya Kovalchuk, Tyler Toffoli
Who I chose: Anze Kopitar
Back in 2012, when the Kings won the first of their two Stanley Cups in three years, I followed them closely as they dominated every opponent as the 8th-seeded team in the West. I specifically remember being on my honeymoon, sitting in our hotel room after a long day at Universal Studios, watching the Kings net 6 goals on the Devils in game 6. I loved the way Kopitar played. He became my favorite player on the team quickly.
San Jose Sharks
Players considered: Martin Jones, Timo Meier
Who I chose: Timo Meier
I only put Martin Jones on the list because I was considering saying I like that he allows the Predators to score so many goals against him. But seriously, Meier was extremely entertaining to watch in the playoffs last year. Another great young player.
Vancouver Canucks
Players considered: Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson
Who I chose: Elias Pettersson
This is a combination of simple and nerdy. He’s another example of a great young player, has a great name, and looks like if Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter became a hockey player. I love that, and I’m not sorry.
Vegas Golden Knights
Players considered: William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Malcolm Subban
Who I chose: William Karlsson
Karlsson kind of came out of nowhere in Vegas’ first year, didn’t he? Prior to the Knights’ inaugural season, he had a total of 18 goals and 50 points in the NHL (including playing 18 games with the Ducks in 2014-15). His first year in Vegas produced 43 goals and 78 points. Talk about a breakout year. He was a great individual story on team that had one of the best stories there’s ever been.
As you can probably tell, my justification in who I chose for each team is pretty random. Former Nashville Predators get picked a lot, but not always. Players with fun names also stood out for a couple of possible reasons: they’re Russian, or they’re on a roster I don’t know that well. Sometimes both! I am intrigued by how little I chose the “best” player on a team, or even the biggest star. It all came down to which player I would want to support the most in this hypothetical situation. So, who would you choose?
