Which Nashville Predators Should Star in a Hockey Version of 'Quarterback'?
Watching 'Quarterback' on Netflix got us wondering, which Nashville Predators players would make for an interesting and entertaining subject on a season long documentary series?
Which Nashville Predators Should Star in a Hockey Version of 'Quarterback'?The offseason lull between the early free agency frenzy and the start of training camp can leave hockey fans hungry for sports content. One of the popular choices this offseason has been Netflix's series 'Quarterback' that followed three NFL quarterbacks through the 2022 season. Watching the behind the scenes footage of Kirk Cousins, Patrick Mahomes, and Marcus Mariota through the highs and lows of being a professional athlete got us thinking, which Nashville Predators would make the most interesting subjects of a behind the scenes hockey documentary?
Cody Glass
Glass has already tasted the "miked up" life. He was one of several players highlighted in NHL Network's series 'Behind the Glass' that followed the developing storylines at last season's Predators training camp. Fans watched as Glass battled to earn a spot on the Preds' roster after spending most of 2021-2022 in Milwaukee. Was there a dry eye in Smashville - or that small office - when David Poile told Glass he had made the roster to Prague? People were cutting onions all over Middle Tennessee.
2023-24 isn't just a new chapter for the Predators, it's also a new chapter for Glass. The 24-year old went from just being happy to make the NHL roster last season to being an emerging star and potential future core player for Nashville. Bonus - Glass may be planning a wedding soon. How fun would it be to go along for a cake tasting?
Juuse Saros
From a purely on ice perspective, there may be no more fascinating player to follow for a season than goaltender Juuse Saros. Hockey analysts and players across the league comment on Saros's outstanding play in net, usually followed by a remark about his atypical NHL goalie size. Wouldn't it be interesting to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into be one of the best at the position?
Miking up the soft spoken Finn might not reveal a lot during a game, but a sit down afterwards with Saros breaking down what he saw during a breakaway or penalty kill would be fascinating. Watching the minuscule adjustments he makes to keep the Predators in games they may not be competitive in otherwise would make for rewind and slow motion viewing.
Saros is cool under pressure - and he's faced a lot of pressure ranking first last season in shots against. That could lead to highlighting his philanthropic side. Saros put those shots against to good use in 2022-23, donating $5 per save to Wags and Walks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing euthanasia in local shelters and increasing awareness about rescue dogs. Saros and his new wife Minna have two dogs - Kesa and Nala - who could make appearances in an episode or two.
Ryan O'Reilly
What better way to get to know one of the newest Nashville Predators than making Ryan O'Reilly a subject in a season long documentary? If first impressions mean anything, O'Reilly may already be a fan favorite after this Smashville greeting.
O'Reilly seems like a guy who could dispel the "boring hockey player" stereotype pretty quickly.
It will be an exciting season for the 14 year NHL veteran who signed a 4 year, $18 million dollar contract with the Preds as a free agent. O'Reilly is settling into a new city with a new team headed in a new direction so there are plenty of storylines to follow when it comes to the 32 year old.
Barry Trotz believes O'Reilly can be an important culture piece for the Predators and seeing how he builds relationships with his new teammates could give insight into creating those healthy hockey locker room vibes. O'Reilly and Preds captain Roman Josi know each other a bit from their shared All Star experiences - how do those two work together with the other veteran voices in the locker room to build on a "here to win" culture with the energetic youth?
Mark Borowiecki
A favorite since coming to Nashville three seasons ago, fans didn't get to see much of Boro last year after a fall into the boards ended his season in October. October 22 wound up being the final game of his 12 year playing career, but on July 2 Barry Trotz announced that Boro had been hired as the Predators' newest Pro Development Coach.
The transition from player to coach will have its unique challenges, and who better to insightfully share the transition than Boro? My grandmother used to always say "you can't put an old head on a young body", but hearing the wisdom and experience Boro passes on to up and coming young hockey pros would be close to achieving that. Mark Borowiecki would be a huge asset to the NHL as fans watch a traditional hockey "enforcer" use his voice to facilitate genuine discussions about inclusion and the importance of mental health in the league.
Of course, getting a hockey player to agree to cameras following him around for an entire season could be a pretty tough sell as compared to NFL quarterbacks. Generally speaking, NHL players are a bit more private with their thoughts about the sport they love and their personal lives as well - as is their right. But if a few Nashville Predators players decided they wanted to lift the veil back a bit, it would make for some great viewing in Smashville.