Rinne Grateful, Humbled for Time Spent with Preds, People of Nashville

His eyes appeared misty at times, accented with a red hue, but Pekka Rinne managed not to shed a tear on Tuesday morning as he made his retirement from the game of hockey official.
The 38-year-old, sporting a t-shirt and cap - a true dad look - took his seat in front of the cameras and reporters and began the press conference by flashing his beloved smile and quipping, "So, I guess we all know why we're here."
After 15 seasons, 369 wins and a lifetime of memories made with the only NHL franchise he's ever known, Rinne had decided it was time to call it a career.

The winningest Finnish-born goaltender in League history, Rinne held court just as he had done so many times before over the last decade-and-a-half in Nashville. He answered every question, shook every hand that was offered and expressed his gratitude to everyone for helping him arrive at this point.
And, classy as always, Rinne only had one thing on the brain as he started to speak, for the first time, as a Preds alumnus.
"The one [thing] that comes to my mind is [just to say], 'Thank you,'" Rinne said. "I'm very thankful for everything, proud of my career, but at the same time, feeling humbled [to be] given this opportunity to play in the NHL and have a long career… I'm extremely happy to sit here and be in this position. It's an emotional day, too, but looking back, I just feel thankful."
That recollection for Rinne includes more games, saves and moments than he would ever have time to discuss in full, but a Vezina Trophy in 2018 as the NHL's best goaltender and a King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded largely in part for his charitable endeavors, just last month are among the highlights he'll never forget.
Game 3 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena is near the top of his memory bank as well, perhaps his favorite contest he's ever played. Returning home down two games to Pittsburgh, Rinne knew the atmosphere in Nashville would be special, but he never expected to hear his name chanted during warmups.
"[The fans] felt that I needed that extra 'feel good,' and I really did," Rinne reminisced, that smile coming back once more.

Moments like that show what the four-time All-Star has always meant to the franchise, and in turn, those memories made Rinne's decision a difficult one to confirm at times.
But there were other factors to consider as well. Rinne became a father for the first time in December, and 7-month-old Paulus has provided plenty of joy. The goaltender also knew his role on the ice had changed, serving as the backup to a great friend and mentee in Juuse Saros on most nights. Then, like all of us, Rinne had just lived through many tough moments brought on by a pandemic that allowed for pause and reflection on what's truly important in life.
When the Predators were eliminated from the postseason in May, Rinne, his fiancée and their son decided to stay in Nashville instead of heading back to Finland right away. Those extra weeks in his adopted hometown allowed Rinne the proper time to consider all of the avenues he could take.
In his mind, as he revealed Tuesday, there were only two options, however.
Either Rinne would return for another season with the Predators, a choice General Manager David Poile would have welcomed without hesitation, or retire from the game he loves.
After careful consideration, Rinne chose the latter, a bittersweet decision for all involved, but one the most beloved player in franchise history knows is correct.
"I'm so proud and fortunate that I've played in one organization all my career," Rinne said. "I appreciate David and everybody else for giving me enough time to make this decision on my own. I made a decision that I feel is the right one. And deep down, I do feel that."
The first phone call Rinne made to share the news was to his parents, a notification they deserved, he said. Others were then alerted in due time, including Poile, who said, "I was pretty close to crying," upon receiving word.
Rinne spoke with Saros a few days back, too, saying the younger Finn, who is expected to lead the Predators to the ice on Opening Night in October, is "up to speed."
Now that everyone else has been filled in, Rinne is feeling more grateful than ever - appreciative for the love and support he's received, especially here in Tennessee.
"Playing street hockey with my cousins and my friends [in Finland], to now the old guy here, it's been an unbelievable journey," Rinne said. "You feel like you need so much luck on your side, too, along the way, and I feel like I've had that. I've had great people around me, great family, and so I'm very, very thankful for that.
"Then, what the Nashville organization and city means to me; the organization gave me a chance, first of all. To be able to grow into a man in this city and have started a family, a lot of bigger things than hockey, I'm forever thankful for that and grateful and it means a lot to me. I have a house here, this is my home, and I want to thank the people of Nashville. Every single day, I feel appreciated. I feel loved, and I truly feel that. It's a special, special place and a special relationship with the organization and with the people of Nashville."

That bond Rinne feels with Nashvillians everywhere makes it difficult to leave, and while he'll be departing for his native country in a few days for the rest of the summer, he plans on returning to town around the start of the 2021-22 season just to be back in the place he's come to love so much.
Rinne even pondered whether he could utilize his suite at Bridgestone Arena - a spot he uses to host patients from Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt - to attend some games and become a fan for the first time in his life.
"I'm excited to go and watch these guys," Rinne said of his now former teammates. "I'm excited for this team, excited for this organization, what's to come; I hope there's bigger and better things ahead of us. For sure, I'll always be a Nashville Predator, no matter what. If I'm playing, if I'm not, I'll always be following this team and staying in touch and coming to the games."
A few of those outings next season may be utilized to celebrate Rinne and everything he's done for the organization and the city, perhaps even a ceremony of sorts at some point.
But for now, one of the greatest goalies in history wants to focus on something other than stopping pucks. Instead, Rinne wants to put being a father, a fiancé and a friend first.
Ultimately, that's the best role of all for a kid from Finland who grew up in Nashville right before our eyes - even if they're obscured now by a few tears.
"I hope that people see me as a hard-working guy, a team guy," Rinne said when asked how he wants to be remembered. "That's probably my wish. Off the ice, it's the everyday man, a man of the people. I feel like that's who I am. I don't think, in that aspect, I really have expectations of how people should remember me, but I do take pride in that."
We're proud too, Peks.