Predators defenseman P.K. Subban showed off his rapping skills at legendary Nashville haunt Tootsie's on Friday night, performing the Notorious B.I.G. hit "Juicy."
This isn't the first time Subban has taken the stage at Tootsie's, he sang a rendition of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" last month.
Predators defenseman P.K. Subban showed off his rapping skills at legendary Nashville haunt Tootsie's on Friday night, performing the Notorious B.I.G. hit "Juicy."
This isn't the first time Subban has taken the stage at Tootsie's, he sang a rendition of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" last month.
Winning is crucial in non-traditional markets, and the Ducks and Lightning have done just that, capturing Stanley Cups and establishing winning cultures. Today, both franchises are seen as consistent contenders.
Team
Joined
First Season
First Playoffs
Stanley Cups
San Jose
1991
39 Points
1994
0
Tampa Bay
1992
53 Points
1996
1 (2004)
Anaheim
1993
71 Points
1997
1 (2007)
Florida
1993
83 Points
1996
0
Nashville
1998
63 Points
2004
0
Atlanta
1999
39 Points
2007
0
Since 1991, the NHL has added San Jose, Tampa Bay, Anaheim, Florida, Nashville, Atlanta, and now Las Vegas, which is set to begin play in 2017. That's seven teams in the U.S. sunbelt in 25 years (not including the relocated Stars, Coyotes, and Hurricanes).
While most of these teams saw early success, the Lightning and Ducks stand ahead of the pack as the sole Stanley Cup champions.
The Lightning were the first to capture Lord Stanley, winning the Cup in 2004, after only 12 seasons in the NHL. That season, the Bolts finished with a franchise-best 106 points. The team then broke that record in 2014-15, posting 108 points en route to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance, only to lose to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Ducks brought the Cup to Orange County in their 13th season, topping off their playoff run with a five-game defeat of the Ottawa Senators. The team was led by the defensive duo of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, plus goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who three years earlier nearly led the Ducks to the Cup with a heroic playoff campaign.
In 22 years, the Ducks have qualified for the playoffs on 12 occasions, losing in the first round only five times. In other words, when the Ducks make the playoffs, there's a better-than-not chance they'll advance. Anaheim has made it to Round 3 or later four times since 2003.
But that's not to say the NHL's other new faces haven't had some levels of success. The road has just been longer and the silver mug hasn't yet made it to the Bay Area, Sunrise, or the Music City.
In their inaugural season, the Sharks led the league with an embarrassing 58 losses, only to top that feat a year later with 71 losses and a lowly 11 wins. But the dark days soon got brighter. From 1998 to 2014, the Sharks missed the playoffs just once, even running a 10-year playoff streak. Last season was the Sharks' best to date, as they advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to fall to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a six-game battle.
The Florida Panthers were the most impressive expansion franchise early on, finishing their first season with 83 points, just one shy of the playoffs. Two years later, the team went on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals (you remember the rats?), led by winger Scott Mellanby and goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, only to lose to the Colorado Avalanche.
But the success didn't last for the Panthers. After the 1996 playoffs, the team was lost in the hockey wilderness, with just two playoff appearances in the next 14 years, including an NHL-record 10-year playoff dry spell (although the Edmonton Oilers may have something to say about that). The Panthers are now on the right track, finishing atop the Atlantic Division last season.
In Nashville, the Predators have emerged as a legitimate Stanley Cup threat. Part of the reason Nashville found early success was its hiring of general manager David Poile (still with the club) and head coach Barry Trotz, now with the Washington Capitals. In acquiring offensive juggernauts like Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban, the Predators have shed their defense-first label, adding an offensive threat to their arsenal.
Though no longer with us, the Atlanta Thrashers serve as the expansion example of what not to do (think of George Costanza's "The Opposite"). Part of the reason the Thrashers now call Winnipeg home is because of their lack of on-ice success. It's difficult to draw interest when you win just 56 of your first 246 games. Through 11 seasons, the Thrashers made the playoffs just once, a sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers. Eleven years and zero playoff wins.
Emulating the early success of the Ducks and Lightning will serve hockey well in Sin City, and hiring an experienced GM like George McPhee puts Las Vegas on the right track for early returns.
Former Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney had hoped to re-sign center Martin Hanzal prior to the start of the season, but new GM John Chayka appears to be taking a different path.
"If there was something that made sense, we would probably take a closer look at that because Marty's been a good player for us," Chayka told Arizona Sports on Thursday. "But maybe it's not a bad thing to get into the season and see how things play out."
Hanzal, 29, can become an unrestricted free agent next summer when his current five-year pact expires.
It's familiar territory for the Coyotes, who entered last season with winger Mikkel Boedker unsigned, only to deal him to Colorado at the deadline.
In 64 games last season, Hanzal scored a career-high 41 points, tallying 13 goals and 28 assists.
Fear not, Ottawa Senators fans, the team expects Cody Ceci to be on the blue line for opening night.
Ceci is still a restricted free agent, but Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that the team expects to reach a deal with the defenseman soon.
"It's taken a bit longer than I anticipated," Dorion said. "I think maybe (J.P. Barry, Ceci's agent) is trying to test me in my first time as GM, even though I've done quite a (few) contracts before. He'll be playing for us Oct. 12. I think in the next few weeks we'll get something done."
Dorion said recent discussions with Barry have been positive.
"J.P and I exchanged emails (Thursday) and they were really positive emails," he said. "We're still looking at different angles and what we can do for a contract but I have a lot of faith."
Ceci enjoyed a breakout season in 2015-16, notching a career high in goals with 10 and points with 26. The 22-year-old no doubt wants a long-term deal, but, given he just completed his third season and only has 56 career points, the Sens will likely want to be cautious.
Two tickets to tonight's San Jose Rubber Puckies game. Who wants 'em?
Bash Las Vegas if it ultimately decides on an unoriginal name like the Red Hawks, rather than Knights, Vipers, or Wranglers. But at least it's playing it safe, avoiding the ridicule that comes with an awful team nickname.
With that, here are our top five cringeworthy names that nearly made it into NHL circles:
1. San Jose Rubber Puckies
While not a finalist (that distinction goes to the "San Jose Blades"), the Rubber Puckies was a consideration when the NHL returned to the Bay Area in 1991.
Despite the Blades winning a name-the-team contest, ownership selected the Sharks nickname based on its local connection, unique color scheme, and its inability to be shortened in a headline.
Other possibilities included the Salty Dogs and Screaming Squids, which don't look too bad next to the Rubber Puckies.
2. Phoenix Moon Doggies
It's one thing to move a franchise from the Canadian Prairies to the Arizona desert. It's a whole different animal to ignore the traditions of the sport.
Thankfully, the franchise opted for a regional and likeable name in the Coyotes, still achieving a unique appeal. The name came to be following a name-the-team contest, topping facepalm-inducing votes like the Moon Doggies, Goal Miners, and Phreeze (Yes, with a 'Ph').
Another possibility? The Phoenix Jets. That'd have been interesting!
3. Colorado Extreme
It's a great pick if you're naming an XFL franchise, but this is pro hockey.
The NHL called Denver home from 1976 to 1982, before the Colorado Rockies uprooted for New Jersey. When the NHL returned, the Rockies nickname had been scooped by baseball.
In need of a new name, and with the relocated Nordiques moniker not a fit with the local landscape, the team chose to honor the Rocky Mountains, selecting the Avalanche, ahead of the Big Horns, Black Bears, Explorers, and Storm.
4. Nashville Ice Tigers
Like the Extreme, it's a name generally reserved for the minor pro level. See the AHL's Rockford IceHogs and the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.
However, the Predators' history is different than most, with the team named after a saber-toothed tiger fossil that was discovered in downtown Nashville.
When hockey came to the Music City, a saber-tooth logo was drawn up, with a contest asking fans for a name based on the design. Ultimately (and thankfully), the Predators won out, besting the Ice Tigers, as well as the Attack, Fury, and Rage.
5. Hampton Roads Rhinos
Wait, who? In 1997, southeastern Virginia was the subject of an NHL expansion bid, to play in downtown Norfolk.
However, the bid was short-lived, as later that year it was announced that the Hartford Whalers would relocate to Raleigh, N.C., only a short trip from the Virginia city.
In the end, the Hurricanes were born and the Rhinos were sent to the hockey graveyard.
