After seven years in Nashville, the Predators have drawn the curtain on Steve Sullivan’s time in the Music City, at least as a player. Sullivan was acquired at the trade deadline in 2004 making an impact in his first game in Nashville colors.
Impact, hell… he exploded for a hat trick in that game, forever cementing his place in Pred Nation’s heart. His 30 points in the last 24 games on the 03-04 season was a major factor in the Predators securing their first ever playoff berth.
After the lockout, Sullivan delivered the second highest point production in his career, once again driving the team to the playoffs. The Timmons Tornado was a dynamo for the Predators, showing heart, courage, determination and a will to win that was infectious in the Predator locker room. But then, late in the 06-07 season, Sullivan would face a back injury that would cost him over a season and a half of time with the team and would test his courage and will.
The back problems he had to overcome were difficult, he sought out different treatments, different therapies, anything to try and get back to help the team. It was a tough road but he finally made it back to the lineup in January of 2009, against his old team. Bridgestone Arena erupted with #26 hit the ice, welcoming Sully back to the lineup and thanking him for his dedication. It was that dedication that earned Sullivan the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the first Predator player to be honored with an end-of-season NHL award.
After playing all 82 games in the 09-10 season, Sullivan has been battling a number of injuries, only playing in 44 games this past season, but his comeback to help the Predators win their first playoff series was another stirring reminder of this man’s heart.
Steve Sullivan on the ice was great, off the ice, he was even better. His community contributions were wide and varied. As a husband and father, he always seemed to place his family as a priority. He has been a great member of our community and I am glad to hear that he plans to make his home in Middle Tennessee when he retires.
Sully has been the heart and soul of the Nashville Predators, his goal now is to make it to 1000 games played, he stands at 890 and will have to play at least 55 games in each of the next two seasons to make it. I’m sure I speak for Pred Nation as we wish him well going forward.
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Random Notes
- Kirk Muller was introduced as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals yesterday. A pretty significant coaching acquisition for the organization, especially since Muller is the one who initiated contact with the team.
- The Preds extended qualifying offers to eight RFA’s… Shea Weber, Sergei Kostitsyn, Matt Halischuk, Cal O’Reily, Nick Spaling, Chris Mueller, Linus Klasen and Andreas Thuresson.
- One notable name not qualified... Mark Santorelli.
- Hall of Fame nominations are expected today.
- Jeff Carter finally speaks, and relieves Columbus of one PR nightmare. He said all the right things, about three days too late.
- Matthew Hulsizer has pulled out of the Phoenix mess. This is really getting silly. Perhaps the NHL may want to hold up on those realignment plans as no resolution appears to be in sight for the Coyotes.
- Vancouver re-signed Kevin Bieksa yesterday, 5 years / $23 million. Good move for the ‘Nucks.
- With the Bieksa signing, this year’s UFA class just got even thinner. Let’s face it, there’s Brad Richards, and that’s about it on the top tier. I wonder if that will drive more offer sheets to RFA’s?
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COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…
We close out our season with our favorite guests, Jeff Marek from Hockey Night in Canada Radio will join us along with much more… join us on Wednesday night at 6 on Nashville’s Sports Radio 560 WNSR.
You can get check out our podcasts at
the SlapShot Radio podcast page.
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