Smashville Scope: December 9

Yakov Trenin first slipped on a Gold jersey when the Predators called his name in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft in South Florida.
He went on to work for more than four years to sport that same sweater in a regular-season NHL game with the Preds, but it was worth the wait when he appeared in his first game back on Oct. 19. On Saturday, his first NHL goal made it even sweeter.
The Milwaukee Admirals scoring leader at the time of his second-career recall on Friday, Trenin saw a puck deflect off of his leg and into the twine Saturday night against New Jersey in Nashville's 6-4 win over the Devils. It wasn't a goal that will make the highlight reels for speed and skill, but Trenin will never forget it.

Goal No.1 has been a long time coming for the 22-year-old Russian, who has battled through injuries while adapting to life in professional hockey over the past three-plus seasons in Milwaukee. The Predators were confident the 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward had the intangibles to make it one day, and a little adversity may not have been such a bad thing.

"There were some ups and downs, but I never gave up," Trenin said Monday. "I kept working for my chance; hoping, waiting for my chance, and now I got it. Every year I was even more hungry and just wanted to work more and more and more."
One of Trenin's Nashville linemates, centerman Colton Sissons, knows the grind of playing in the AHL trying to make it to the big club can get discouraging at times. A former Milwaukee Admiral himself, Sissons made a few trips up and down between the two cities before he became a full-time NHLer.
"I'm sure he had some tough times down in Milwaukee where he didn't think he was going to get a chance, and there might have been some times that he was struggling, but he kept grinding and kept fighting to get better every day," Sissons said of Trenin. "He should be proud of himself. We've all been there when you're not getting that call as soon or as often as you want, and it feels like it's never going to come, but good for him for taking advantage - and for scoring a big goal for us last game too."
Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette hasn't seen Trenin on a daily basis over the past four years, but when the forward would pass through Nashville during summertime development camps and rookie camps, Trenin was always one with a noticeable improvement on each occasion. Once he started putting up impressive offensive numbers in Milwaukee this season - 14 goals and 26 points in 19 games - it was time for Trenin to get the call.
"It doesn't always happen right away. You don't always stick right away," Laviolette said. "A lot of times there's an up-and-down that goes with it, and that's happened with a lot of our players… There's no question that there was a stick-to-itiveness that he had that allowed him to get to this point, and he's had a really strong year."
Trenin couldn't help but smile as he sat in his stall in the Nashville locker room on Monday afternoon recalling his first NHL goal - hopefully, the first of many.
"I'm just enjoying every day here," Trenin said. "Even if it's not a game day or practice, just happy to be here."

Skill Guy:

We all know Filip Forsberg is ridiculously skilled.
Last week, Preds broadcasters Chris Mason and Hal Gill laced up their skates to join No. 9 on the ice to see firsthand just how silky Forsberg's hands really are.
The Nashville winger took the former Predators goaltender and defenseman through some of his most memorable moments over the past few seasons and explained what he was thinking in those instances - and then how he pulled off the insane moves.
Enjoy this unique look into the mind of Fil.

Preds Foundation Holiday Gift Ideas:

We're now less than three weeks away from Christmas Day, and if you're still shopping for the fellow Preds fan in your life, the Nashville Predators Foundation may have that something special to put under the tree.
During the three remaining home games before Christmas - Dec. 10, Dec. 14 and Dec. 23, the Preds Foundation will have holiday mystery pucks for sale for $25 each, and every single one is autographed by a current player. Stop by the Foundation area outside of Section 106 at Bridgestone Arena during all home games.
The 2020 Nashville Predators Team calendar is now available as well and can be purchased at the Foundation area, or at the Predators Team Store, for $15. The calendar is also available online at
NashvillePredators.com/calendar
.
Perhaps a one-of-a-kind jersey would do the trick? Autographed holiday Preds jerseys will be available for auction on Tuesday and Saturday of this week. Visit the Foundation area or text 'Preds' to 76278 to bid.

Vote Early, Vote Often, Vote Preds:

The
2020 NHL All-Star Fan Vote
presented by adidas is now open, and Preds fans are encouraged to make their voices heard by voting online or via the NHL/Predators App. Nashville stars like Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg and Pekka Rinne are in the running to be named captain of the Central Division during 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Louis, and with your help, one of them might just win the ballot count.
Plus, there is added incentive this season for everyone involved. New this season, players have the opportunity to earn a donation to the charitable organization of their choice as part of the voting process. The player with the most retweets on Twitter and the player with the most likes on Instagram across all of his posts that use the hashtag #NHLAllStar will each receive a $25,000 USD donation to the charity of his choice.
Voting is now live
, and it's simple to do. Fans may cast votes for one player from each division, without regard to position. Voting concludes at 10:59 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 20, with the top vote-getters by division - regardless of position - named All-Stars and captains.
Fans are permitted to select as few as one player and a maximum of four players per ballot. The maximum number of ballots cast per 24-hour period for each fan is 10.

Back to Winning in Milwaukee:

The Ads had their dads alongside last weekend, and the sons did not disappoint.
After seeing their franchise-record, 13-game winning streak end on Tuesday, Nashville's AHL affiliate got back to their winning ways with a 7-1 victory over Iowa on Friday, and then a 5-2 triumph against Rockford on Saturday, with the team's annual fathers' trip taking place over both nights.
Eeli Tolvanen scored twice in Friday's win and Colin Blackwell had four assists against the Wild, then five different Admirals tallied 24 hours later.
With Yakov Trenin up with the Predators, Blackwell and Cole Schneider are tied for the team lead in scoring with 23 points apiece, followed by Alexandre Carrier with 17 points. Connor Ingram and Troy Grosenick continue to be stellar in net with .931 and .923 save percentages, respectively.
Watch: Youtube Video

Mic'd Up:

Another pair of mic'd up videos come your way this week, featuring a pair of British Columbia natives - Colton Sissons and Matt Irwin - who both had plenty to say. Enjoy!

Goal of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

Yakov Trenin on scoring his first NHL goal:
"It feels incredible. I didn't see how the puck went in, I just saw the red light behind the net and I started celebrating. I felt it hit me and I was hoping and said, 'go, go in the net!'"

Shot of the Week:

…and there's more where that came from.
Preds vs. Lightning Photo Gallery
Preds vs. Devils Photo Gallery
Preds & Pins Photo Gallery

The Week Ahead:

Tuesday vs. San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Buy Tickets
Thursday at Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Saturday vs. Dallas Stars, 5:30 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Buy Tickets

Predators Official Podcast:

The Predators Official Podcast welcomes a special guest to the show as NHL referee Wes McCauley stops by for a two-segment interview on officiating Stanley Cup Finals, his personal flare on the ice and why he chose one of hockey's toughest jobs. Plus, Brooks Bratten and Thomas Willis dissect the Preds' play over the last two weeks and debate whether the team has turned the corner.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

Looking for more than just hockey at the home of the Preds? Here's what's coming to Bridgestone Arena.
This Week's Shows:
Dec. 12 & 13: Luke Combs and the Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour.
Click here for details
.
Coming Soon:
Alanis Morissette, July 25, 2020.
Tickets on sale Friday
at 11 a.m. CT.
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, University of North Dakota vs. Penn State University.
Tickets on sale Saturday
at 10 a.m. CT.

Week in Review:

Preds & Pins Raises $25,000 for 365 Fund
Recap: Trenin Scores First NHL Goal as Preds Down Devils
Preds, Hunt Brothers Pizza Add Arcade at Bridgestone Arena
Dan + Shay to Headline Entertainment for 2020 NHL Winter Classic
Preds Distribute 3,000 Street Hockey Sets to Middle Tennessee Youth
Bonino Helps to Lead Preds Through Season with Experience, Humor
Recap: Preds Earn Point, Fall to Lightning in Overtime
Countdown to the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic