NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Any team is happy to find one franchise player to build around. Detroit coach Mike Babcock looks at the Nashville Predators and sees three: goaltender Pekka Rinne, defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
The trio reflects the Predators’ approach of building a team from the net out. Rinne, Weber and Sutter are a key reason Nashville will be playing in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, with sights set on making a deep run this postseason.
Rinne led the NHL with 43 wins this season and smothered Babcock’s Red Wings in the first round. Weber and Suter, both drafted by Nashville in 2003, are considered by many the NHL’s best pair of defensemen.
The goalie says he feels fortunate to play behind them.
