breaking news: excitement hit Nissan Stadium as former Nashville star legendary player Pekka Rinne has returned to his former team as a senior coaching….see more
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 26: NFL players Brett Kern (left) and Taylor Lewan (right) applaud as former Nashville Predators player Pekka Rinne is introduced to the stadium fans during pre-game ceremonies before the 2022 NHL Stadium Series game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators at Nissan Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
Breaking News: Excitement Erupts at Nissan Stadium as Predators Legend Pekka Rinne Returns in Senior Coaching Role
July 16, 2025 – Nashville, TN
In a stunning and emotional development that has electrified fans across Tennessee, former Nashville Predators goaltender and franchise icon Pekka Rinne has officially returned to his beloved organization—this time, not on the ice, but behind the bench.
During a special event at Nissan Stadium earlier today, the Nashville Predators announced that Rinne has been appointed Senior Goaltending Development Coach, marking a significant new chapter in the career of one of the most revered figures in team history.
“A True Homecoming”
The announcement was met with thunderous applause and heartfelt cheers as fans gathered in droves, many donning Rinne’s No. 35 jersey. The former Vezina Trophy winner, known for his remarkable skill and humility, took the podium visibly moved.
“Nashville is home. It always has been,” Rinne said. “This organization gave me everything, and now I’m incredibly honored to give back in this new role and help shape the future of our goaltending legacy.”
Rinne’s return is part of a broader organizational shift focused on deepening player development and reinforcing the culture that made the Predators a powerhouse in the NHL Central Division.
A Legendary Career
Rinne, who retired in 2021, holds nearly every major goaltending record in Predators history—including most wins, shutouts, and games played. He was the heart and soul of the team during its rise to national prominence, most notably backstopping the Predators to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
Off the ice, Rinne’s contributions to the Nashville community were equally profound. In 2022, the team unveiled a statue in his honor outside Bridgestone Arena—the first in franchise history.
Looking to the Future
According to Predators GM Barry Trotz, Rinne will work closely with the organization’s goalie prospects, including recent standout Yaroslav Askarov, while also providing strategic insight at the NHL level.
“Having Pekka back in this capacity is a game-changer,” Trotz said. “He’s a natural mentor, a brilliant hockey mind, and the kind of leader every young player looks up to.”
Fans are already calling Rinne’s return a “storybook move” and a boost of inspiration heading into the new season. While he may no longer wear the pads, his presence in the locker room promises to have just as profound an impact.
Final Thoughts
The return of Pekka Rinne to the Predators is more than just a personnel decision—it’s a symbolic reunion that bridges the past and the future. In a city that has watched him grow from a promising young netminder to a Hall-of-Fame-caliber legend, his presence signals that the spirit of Smashville is alive and well.
And if today’s crowd reaction at Nissan Stadium is any indication, this is just the beginning of another unforgettable chapter.
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