Forsberg, Saros, Borowiecki Focus of Second Behind the Glass Episode

Episode two of the NHL Network's four-part docuseries Behind the Glass is out, and much like the first installment, there's plenty to talk about.

Nashville Cats

Let's start with that intro.
It's unlikely that when The Lovin' Spoonful - the 1960s Greenwich Village-based folk rock group - recorded 'Nashville Cats' they envisioned the tune accompanying footage of toothless grins, mid-ice collisions and Swedish mustache-twirling, but it's hard to imagine a better-fitting refrain to introduce the Nashville Predators:
'Nashville cats play clean as country water. Nashville cats play wild as mountain dew.'
This writer, for one, has been unable to get the catchy pop tune out of his head and will be notably disappointed if 'clean as country water' isn't heard echoing through Bridgestone Arena during at least one least TV timeout this season.

The Stache is Back… And Perfectly Groomed

Nashville's offseason moves and acquisitions were praised around the League and among the fans this summer, but the organization's biggest get - without question - was an eight-year commitment to the franchise's all-time leading goal-scorer. It's no wonder, then, that Filip Forsberg features prominently in Behind the Glass, and in episode two we get a closer look at his personal life and the factors that weighed heavily on his desire to stay in the Music City.
"[Nashville] is the best city in the world," Forsberg's wife and singer-songwriter Erin Alvey said. "It was definitely nice that I got to stay here and keep building on what I've been building for the past six years. He has his life and I have my life and it's kind of cool just seeing the two different worlds become one."

As for the iconic mustache, there's a story there too.
"It started in March of 2020," Forsberg said. "I didn't score a goal in February for the whole month, so I said, 'OK, I've got to do something here.' I was going to shave and [Erin] said, 'Why don't you keep the mustache?'... We'll see how long it's going to last, but she likes it, so happy wife, happy life, right?"
For those wanting to recreate the iconic handlebar, you're in luck. Forsberg's Behind the Glass segment also features a quick how-to from the man himself.

Recovering from Injury

One of the most heart-wrenching moments of the 2021-22 campaign was brought back to life during Tuesday evening's episode, as Nashville netminder Juuse Saros is seen limping off the ice and down the Predators tunnel midway through the third period of a game against the Calgary Flames.
"I had never really had an injury like that before," Saros said. "I kind of felt the ankle pop right away and then got up and hoped it wasn't too bad but then I knew it was something more serious."
That injury, which would ultimately bench the Finnish netminder for the remainder of the season and the entirety of the postseason, was naturally a point the Behind the Glass crew wanted to explore.
The good news: after an offseason spent rehabilitating his ankle back to 100 percent working order, Saros feels healthier than ever and ready for the upcoming season.
"It took surprisingly long to get it back to normal," Saros said. "It took two months before I could even go on my knees. It was just one of those weird injuries that even though there was no surgery, it just took time."
There's an added perk for the 27-year-old netminder in Pekka Rinne, who rejoined the Predators organization this September as a special alumni advisor.
"It was really fortunate for us that we had one of the best goaltenders in the League for a long, long time in Pekka Rinne," Predators General Manager David Poile said. "They say in the locker room Pekka was like Juuse's dad and that the relationship was fantastic."
That bond - equal parts mentorship and friendship - will only stand to benefit Saros as he begins his second full season starting between the pipes for the Predators, and Behind the Glass shows the pair haven't skipped a beat since Rinne's retirement.

Room to Grow

The unfortunate reality of Predators training camp is that not every skater who makes it onto Nashville's 55-man camp roster will make it to opening night.
In one of the docuseries' most fly-on-the-wall segments yet, we get a look inside Poile's Centennial Sportsplex office as he, Milwaukee Admirals Assistant GM Scott Nichol, Admirals Head Coach Karl Taylor and Predators Assistant GM Brian Poile deliver the news to forward Egor Afanasyev.
"[You're] one of the most improved players at training camp," Poile says. "Having said that, we're making decisions, so we're going to send you back to Milwaukee to start the season."
While not making it to opening night is never the goal, for players right on the cusp of breaking into the NHL - Afanasyev included - there are often more routes available to get there.
"You're a second-year pro, and your progression is getting so much better," Nichol said. "So be positive about your growth too. It's a long year and a lot of things can happen. So you should be very happy with how things went this camp."
"Be ready," Taylor said. "I want to give you a lot, but you've got to hold on to it."
With a grin, Afanasyev - now days away from his second season in Milwaukee - replies:
"No other way, coach."

What Does it Mean to Be Mentally Tough?

If you had to pick one player that best embodies the Nashville Predators physical, fearless and mentally-tough identity, it could very well be defenseman Mark Bororwiecki - and the 33-year-old blueliner receives a highlight reel introduction in Behind the Glass to prove it.

But Borowiecki's fearlessness extends well beyond the ice.
The veteran blueliner has opened up about his struggles with mental health in recent years, and tells the Behind the Glass crew he was motivated to do so to help to break down the stigmas that often discourage younger players from opening up and prioritizing their own mental well-being.
"I know I'm not the only guy dealing with these things," he said. "This is a very results-based, high-stress job and it kind of exacerbates the issues that guys may be dealing with and facing. I think as it becomes a little more acceptable to talk about our emotions and feelings it's important for older, established guys like me to be the ones to kind of stick our necks out a little bit. And It's tough for young guys who aren't established in this League. They think that if they show some vulnerability or perceived weakness it's going to directly affect their career in a negative way."
"So, I think that's something I can kind of do to pay it forward in the game a little bit. I want my legacy in this League to be known as being a good human and that's kind of my priority this year."

Making the Cut

In episode two's final segment, we revisit forward Cody Glass as he steps into Poile's office following a 2-0 preseason win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"The second half of last year was really good for you and the summer was obviously really good for you as well," Poile said. "As you know, we're going to go to Bern tomorrow night, and we're going to be taking you with us. So, I hope that makes your day."
Moved by the good news, Glass breaks into a wide smile and sheds a few tears.

"It's been in the back of my mind, and to be able to finally be told that I'm going kind of lifts a weight off my back," Glass said. "It feels really good."
With the 23-year-old center currently in Prague, Czech Republic with the rest of the Predators squad, the work continues to lock down a permanent spot in the lineup - something he knows still isn't guaranteed.
You can continue following Cody Glass' development and more Global Series storylines as the final two episodes of Behind the Glass premiere on NHL Network and Sportsnet before dropping to the NHL's official Youtube page -
episode one is available to watch now
.
See below for the remaining broadcast schedule:
Tuesday, Oct. 11, NHL Network, 7 p.m. CT
Tuesday, Oct. 18, NHL Network, 8 p.m. CT