Saskatchewan. What images come to mind when you hear that word? Flat plains and grain fields laid out like a patchwork quilt would probably be high on that list. Besides canola and wheat, they have another export that finds its way from Canada’s breadbasket to the rest of the world: hard-nosed, hard-hitting power forwards.
This picturesque farmland has given birth to a few notable names but none more recognizable than Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe. Howe played 1767 games, compiled 1850 points and 1685 (28 hours!) penalty minutes. What Gordie did was create an archetype for a style of a player, the power forward. One that is able to score, play on the power play & the penalty kill, crush you in the corners and drop the gloves with equal ease. Several players followed in this role over the years including the Predators’ own Scott Hartnell (also hailing from Saskatchewan), but overall, as the league has changed to a more speed-based game, these players have largely fallen out of favor.
New Blood
Enter the protagonist of this story. In 2018 the Predators organization signed an undrafted overage forward from the WHL to an entry-level contract after an impressive performance as a camp invitee. That forward was Tanner Jeannot. Standing 6’2” and 208 pounds with a continual smirk on his face, Jeannot continued to impress coaches with his work ethic and physical play. He spent the majority of the shortened season with the Milwaukee Admirals under the astute tutelage of Karl Taylor and staff. COVID shortening the season and Milwaukee choosing not to participate in the abbreviated next season could have derailed this story but as is typical for the “Oxbow Ox,” he pushed through like a bull. Jeannot started the next year with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL for five games before being called up to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL (Nashville’s shared affiliate for the season with Carolina Hurricanes). Jeannot made the best of this opportunity and worked his way to the top of the lineup wearing a letter. This work ethic paid its dividends when an unfortunate injury to Mathieu Olivier left an opening on Nashville’s roster.
The Ox took the bull by the horns recording five goals in 15 games and becoming known for his devastating hits and relentless forechecking. This also was the introduction of the Herd line. It has been composed of Jeannot, winger Yakov Trenin, and centerman Colton Sissons. Jeannot had seemingly found his spot and the fanbase was already loving the small-town kid. Fast forward to the 21-22 season. Hopes were high for the 24-year-old rookie but no one had the season that would come to pass in mind when it began.
The Calder memorial trophy is given to the NHL rookie of the year. It is defined as being awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.” This trophy is generally awarded to high scoring forwards or potentially to particularly skilled defensemen. Last season would make NHL media and fans question exactly what that means. The frontrunners for the award were Moritz Seider DET-D, Lucas Raymond DET-D, and Trevor Zegras ANA-F; three extremely talented young players with a flair for offense and Seider, who was soaring to be a new defensive star in the league. But, when the season began, something strange happened. None of these players were leading the rookies in goals. It was the undrafted third liner from Nashville at the top. Jeannot jumped out to an early lead in goals despite no power play time and starting the large majority of his shifts in the defensive zone. A lead that he kept till the end of the season. This led to a lot of hockey media questioning what does “the most proficient” mean? Jeannot scored the most goals of any rookie while leading or competing for the league leads in fights and hits. While the traditional way of judging this trophy prevailed with Seider deservedly winning the award, the conversation that was started could stand to change the direction of the game, and in particular a franchise.
Identity
John Hynes, the coach of the Nashville Predators, loves to use this word. He has said many times that the team needs to play to its identity. But what does that mean? Hynes inherited a team that was largely extremely skilled, but mentally and physically weak. They had been bullied by teams like Dallas and St. Louis since the ill-fated run to the cup. Hynes brought a new mentality: be hard to play against and outwork your opponent. The poster boys for this new identity was the blossoming third line.
Nashville began the 2021-22 season predicted to not make the playoffs and to start a rebuild. Sometimes, the concentrated power of will is enough to change a franchise. Before the first quarter of the season was over, the Herd line was taking the opening faceoff to every game and every period. Their task was simple: let them know who you are and let them know you’re there.
The background of my work computer is a photo of Drew Doughty flying backward through the air after an early-season attempt at laying a hit on Jeannot. They let them know they were there. The attitude change brought by the young forward and his linemates permeated the team and the moniker of Smashville is being earned on Broadway once again. Jeannot and defenseman Mark Borowiecki are a tandem of fighters not seen in the NHL in many many years. Teams are no longer taking liberties with Predators players. That bell will now be answered with a crooked smirk or a gap-toothed grin. The Predators didn’t have the end to the season they had hoped for, but the identity of the team is now a known quantity.
The question we all want to know the answer to is apparent. Was it just a flash in a pan or was this something we should come to expect? Through camp, preseason and the two opening games in Prague, some things are very different and some are still the same. The Herd line is untouched and they are still laying the lumber and forechecking as if there will never be another game. The difference is on the second power play, parked next to the net ready to screen deflect and cause general havoc is the dinosaur of a power forward. Jeannot has the opportunity this season to continue to make his presence felt by the league. 24 goals last year was amazing, but can he repeat it? One thing is for certain, a tall undrafted small-town kid looking the best of the NHL in the eye saying “are you gonna pull those pistols or just whistle Dixie?”
