From 'Partner' to Poile to Pekka, the ride with the Nashville Predators has been the best
Four-hundred-thirty regular-season games, 232 victories, 165 losses, 33 overtime losses, 20 playoff games, three coaches, two majority owners, two general managers, two outdoor games, two COVID-shortened seasons, two Central Division titles, one number retirement, zero postseason series victories, 5½-plus years and probably 1,200-plus stories later, my run as the Nashville Predators beat writer for The Tennessean is over.
The run ended Sunday night, when the Predators extended their own run by finishing their first five-game road trip sweep in franchise history.
Alex Daugherty is your new Nashville Predators beat writer, which is better than good news for you, for us.
His first official day on the job was Monday. Really, he's been working toward this day for the better part of 10 years. I'm thrilled for him.
That's the good news.
The other news is I'll still be around.
My focus mainly will be on more in-depth stories behind the stories, about the Predators, about the Titans and guys like Azeez Al-Shaair, about Nashville SC, about the Nashville Sounds, about local colleges, about high school sports, Little League sports. About a lot of things.
Before we move ahead, though, allow me to share a few of my favorite stories and moments and people from the last five-plus years covering this team.
Howdy, Craig 'Partner' Baugh
Craig "Partner" Baugh was one of the first people I met when I moved to Nashville. He has become a dear friend who I, and many others, probably don't deserve.
I wrote about him a little over four years ago, and again before this season after he beat cancer with a little help from his friends.
'LOVE YOU, BUDDY': Craig 'Partner' Baugh has left his mark on the Predators, NHL
A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS: A beloved Nashville Predators member was fighting prostate cancer — so Clark Lea stepped in
Martha Booker the elevator lady
If you've been to Bridgestone Arena, you've probably met Martha. If you haven't, you should. She's the boss of Elevator 4.
Her elevator is the best elevator. She's a mother, grandmother and one of the kindest souls on the planet.
Who looks forward to elevator rides? A lot of people, when Martha is pushing the buttons.
'COME ON IN': Bridgestone Arena's favorite elevator lady has rules in her domain: Just 'ask Vince Gill'
Mark Borowiecki, Connor Ingram: The inspirations
Great hockey players are great to watch. Great people are even greater to find. Mark Borowiecki and Connor Ingram both became that to me.
Conversations with both of them, not even post-COVID, during a playoff series in Denver changed my life. In short, talking with them about their struggles with mental health, their willingness to be vulnerable, inspired me to try to get help I so desperately needed. Neither one of them knew it at the time.
LONG ROAD: Connor Ingram's Nashville Predators playoff moment arrives with his mental health in better place
KNOW PAIN, KNOW GAIN: How Mark Borowiecki's scary end to his NHL career brought out the fighter — against his demons
David Poile: A legend retires
I met the longest-tenured general manager during my job interview. I spent part of his last day on the job of a career unmatched by most with him at Bridgestone Arena. He worked until the final minute.
In between all of that, we talked about a lot. He, along with Predators CEO Sean Henry, was one of the first people to call after I came home from the hospital in March 2022 after I had a stroke, offering rides to the doctor and grocery store.
The lovely story of him and his wife, Elizabeth, is the best. Breaking the news of his retirement was a highlight.
THAT'S A WRAP: How will David Poile's Predators legacy be remembered? His final days gave me a glimpse
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS: As Predators' David Poile braces for retirement, his wife reveals their love story
Pekka Rinne: Another legend retires
Pekka was among the first to welcome me to Nashville. Our conversations over the years often strayed far from hockey, including one during COVID lockdown that I'll never forget.
Fitting, he's the only one who has his number retired by the Predators. Glad I saw him make one dream come true when he scored his only goal.
WHO IS THIS? Retired Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne no good at goodbyes — and I'm thankful for that
Barry Trotz: A legend returns
I was bummed to arrive too late to cover Barry Trotz in Nashville. Then we broke the news he was coming back. I'm eager to see what he does this time around. I look forward to getting to know him better.
HE'S BACK: 'Dangerous for everybody': How Predators landed Barry Trotz to replace David Poile as GM
John Hynes
When Peter Laviolette was fired in January 2020, John Hynes took over. Then all hell broke loose: COVID, shortened seasons, all of it. Never thought he had a fair shot here.
Through it all, Hynes remained steadfast. Say what you want about him as a coach. I'll never forget him, like Poile and Henry, taking the time to think of me when my health wasn't the best.
Terry Crisp
Being in the booth for Terry Crisp's final radio broadcast was a hoot — and an honor.
Crispy always gave me crap, and me him. A face I look forward to seeing. Raw, honest, funny.
THAT'S A WRAP: For Predators broadcaster Terry Crisp, an indelible hockey legacy almost never happened
Cody Glass
Like Borowiecki and Ingram, Cody Glass' vulnerability and honesty means a lot. Everyone has a story. Cody's story is special.
A recent conversation we had always will stick with me.
GLASS HALF FULL: How Predators' Cody Glass has dealt with injuries, scratches, effects on mental health
MIND OVER MATTER: Injuries, mental health part of battle Nashville Predators' Cody Glass is wrestling with
I could go on and on about talking baseball with Anthony Bitetto, hockey X's and O's with Yannick Weber, life with Austin Watson and Frederick Gaudreau and Roman Josi, mustaches with Filip Forsberg, pickleball and tattoos with Juuse Saros, cakes for Lindsey Vonn with P.K. Subban, Priuses and hockey sticks with Rocco Grimaldi, with Laviolette about the meaning behind bull masks, with just about anything with Pete Weber.
Thank you for following along so far. I hope you still will.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: From 'Partner' to Poile to Pekka, ride with Predators has been best
