Nash Daily: Vezina Finalists Announced, No Pietrangelo For Vegas

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros has followed in Pekka Rinne’s footsteps before, and he might just do it again.

The 28-year-old netminder was nominated for the 2022-23 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is given annually to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

If Saros wins, he’d be just the second Predator to win the award. The first? Yes, you guessed it: Rinne. The winner will be chosen by a selection committee led by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice.

🧃 + 🐶 = 🏆🤞 https://t.co/jQjMDZDase

— Emma Lingan (@emma_lingan) May 11, 2023

Saros’ biggest contributions off the ice have been in the canine community. His “Saros Saves Puppies” initiative, which pledged $5 for every save he made during the season up to $10,000, donated a total of $9,640 to Wags and Walks Nashville. An additional $10,000 was donated by the Nashville Predators Foundation. All proceeds will help fund a new adoption center.

“It’s almost kind of natural for me,” Saros said, via the team’s website. “I’ve always loved dogs, and I think it’s important here, especially with so many rescue dogs [who need homes]. So I just kind of want to help them and chip in there.”

Nashville Hockey Now

The NHL named the three finalists for the 2023 Vezina Trophy on Thursday and Saros was not one of them. Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark, Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin and Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck were, however. Nashville Hockey Now’s Nick Kieser takes a look at Saros’ case and explains why some GMs have some explaining to do. Read here

Armed with a league-high 13 picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Predators have two picks each in the first and second rounds. While most blue-chip prospects will be off the board by the time it picks, Michael Gallagher and Braden Gall break down Nashville’s options pick No. 15 on the Gold Standard podcast. Listen here.

The Milwaukee Admirals face the Texas Stars in Game 1 of the Central Division Final on Friday. Top Predators prospect Yaroslav Askarov is performing well in his first taste of the AHL postseason, and head coach Karl Taylor explains how important Askarov is to the Ads success. Read here.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Vegas Hockey Now: Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo took offense to Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s empty-net shot at the end of Game 4, rage-slashing the star forward in a bone-headed moment that resulted in a one-game suspension.

Alex Pietrangelo gives Leon Draisaitl a two-handed slash after an empty net opportunity. pic.twitter.com/wziPdleLDx

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2023

Detroit Hockey Now: If you’re wondering whether or not Sergei Fedorov could actually leave the KHL for an NHL coaching opportunity, why not go straight to the source? Here’s what Fedorov had to say on the matter.

Florida Hockey Now: Though there were a few reasons the Panthers failed to close out the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky wasn’t one of them. Here’s more on how the Panthers let down their star goalie.

San Jose Hockey Now: While the Sharks missed out on Connor Bedard, they’re still guaranteed a blue-chip prospect with the No. 4 overall pick. Here are a few prospects who could be great fits in San Jose.

Follow us on Twitter: @NSHhockeynow, @MGsports_