Smashville Scope: February 16

The Smashville Scope presented by JOCKEY prepares fans for the week ahead with news, videos and clips from the past week, plus, game and event info for the next seven days. Use promo code "GOAL" to save 25% on your next JOCKEY purchase.
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Mark Borowiecki and the Predators didn't even wait until the game was over to share the good news.
After the blueliner played the first period on Tuesday night against Washington at Bridgestone Arena, Borowiecki joined Preds broadcaster Kara Hammer and shared he had signed a one-year deal for the 2022-23 season to add a third campaign to his time in Nashville.
Doing so wasn't a difficult decision, as he explained, and the $900,000 price tag is quite a bargain for a person who brings just as much off the ice as he delivers when playing.

Borowiecki, a rugged, veteran D-man who Predators General Manager David Poile has called Nashville's most-improved player this season after an up-and-down start to his tenure with the Preds last year, epitomizes what it means to play for this team. He's tough, physical and willing to do whatever it takes to win. Then, when the contest is complete, he gives back to the Music City, just like all the best Preds before him have done.
And if there was any doubt on his popularity among his peers, all one had to do was scroll through Instagram following the game to see just about every single one of Borowiecki's teammates on the platform post their congratulations and excitement to see No. 90 extend his stay.
Once Tuesday's outing was complete, the Predators were on the wrong side of the ledger, but that didn't stop Borowiecki from collecting his thoughts and describing the bigger picture - one with a pretty fantastic view.

"I certainly wish we were talking about this after a win, but it means a lot - more than I could probably say and more than I can articulate," Borowiecki said Tuesday night. "At the risk of getting a little too sentimental maybe, this organization has really stood by me. This group of guys in the locker room, especially some of these older guys, Mattias [Ekholm] and Roman [Josi], the guys like that... Just the support these guys have given me through last year and coming into this year and in trying to find my game again - I just can't put it into words, the amount of gratitude my wife and I have. It's pretty special for me. My son is 2 years old, and when he sees the Preds logo, he says, 'Daddy's team.' It makes me emotional just saying that, but that's pretty sweet. And when I started hearing him say that I just knew this is the place I wanted to be. I don't want to play anywhere else."
The feeling is mutual, and in addition to his teammates showing their support, one of Borowiecki's bosses also shared in the excitement to keep the defenseman around.
"He's such a high-character guy," Preds Head Coach John Hynes said of Borowiecki. "He's a great teammate, real quality person, he's got a great family, so when you look at it from that perspective, he adds quite a bit not only to the team, but to the organization. And then as far as a player, it's nice to see a guy that comes in and he's the ultimate teammate. When you look at how he plays, he sacrifices his body, plays physical, he blocks shots, he's willing to stand up for teammates, he's a good voice on the bench and he's a fabric to what the identity of our team is. He adds an element to our team that's important on and off the ice, and I think it's great for him and his family, but I also think it's great for his teammates and for the organization to have a player like that."

Once Borowiecki had answered all the questions asked of him Tuesday night, he was excused from the event-level media room as reporters reached for their recording devices to complete their file.
But, in true Borowiecki fashion, he had one more moment of gratitude to express.
"Before I wrap it up here, I want to say thanks to you guys and thanks for the fans," Borowiecki said. "Last year didn't go as planned, but the fans here really stuck by me and showed support this year. So, thank you, everyone. My wife and I are super grateful and appreciate it. Thank you."
No, "Boro," thank you.

McCarron Reaches 100-Game Milestone:

Sure, Michael McCarron would have preferred to reach the 100-game milestone in the NHL a bit sooner in his career, but the 26-year-old doesn't seem to mind.
Not much seems to phase the 6-foot-6 forward - a towering, jovial figure who has found a niche centering Nashville's fourth line as of late - and McCarron is well on his way to besting his career high of 31 games played back in the 2016-17 season with Montreal.
McCarron's physical, in-your-face style suits Predators Head Coach John Hynes's system perfectly - the identity that has allowed Nashville to exceed external expectations and reach the 60-point mark faster than all but four other versions of the team in franchise history.
And while McCarron may not show up on the scoresheet every night, he's still contributing in more ways than one.
"He's been great," Hynes said of the man they call 'Mac.' "He's in a role now where he plays some hard minutes. He brings energy to our team. He's a great guy on the bench, he plays hard, he plays the right way all the time and he's been a good factor for us. When you're looking at components of a team and putting together a team, there's different roles and responsibilities for every player on the team. For Michael, he's come in and he's a guy that has experience. He's good in the face-off circle, but I think most importantly, it's the way that he plays the game and the energy and attitude he brings to the rink every day."

That combination has been with McCarron his whole career no matter where he's been skating, but he's enjoyed his new life since joining his current organization.
The Preds acquired Montreal's 2013 first-round pick in January of 2020, and after impressing in Milwaukee with the Admirals, McCarron joined the Preds during their stay in the Edmonton Bubble two summers ago during the NHL's Return to Play postseason as an extra forward. He then resided on Nashville's taxi squad for most of the 2020-21 campaign, ultimately appearing in six contests with the Preds, but now, he's become a regular.
And that milestone? Still worth appreciating.
"A lot of good teammates I've played with over the years," McCarron said when asked what comes to mind when looking back over 100 games. "This is my seventh year pro now - took me a long time to get to that 100-game mark - but a lot of learning curves. I spent most of my time with Montreal, and now this is my third year here, and the organization is awesome. I can't thank [Preds General Manager] David [Poile] and my teammates here enough to have me come in and feel like home and really give me an opportunity to play my game. The way this team plays, our style of game, really suits me. It's great so far, and hopefully the next 100 are here, too.
"I'm a competitive guy, I want to win, and I love my teammates in there. I'll go to battle for them any day, and like I said, our style of game, I think, really benefits me to be in the lineup every night. Our team plays hard, physical, in your face and we're a determined hockey team. That's exactly my game, so it's a great fit for me. I just need to continue to play the way I am, not be satisfied and always look for more."

Rittich Debuts Stadium Series Pads for Himself, Future Son:

David Rittich will arguably be the best-outfitted goaltender at the NHL Stadium Series when the Preds host Tampa Bay on Feb. 26 at Nissan Stadium, but his custom set of pads was actually one of two - the second pair just a tad smaller.
Rittich and his wife, Nikola, are expecting sometime soon, and the netminder posted a photo a few days back with the caption: "Even little guy is set for stadium series."

Hear Rittich discuss his excitement to meet "Little Guy" soon, as well as other topics, on last week's edition of the Preds Official Podcast - a future goalie, to be sure.

Preds Foundation Set to Host Wine Festival:

The vino will soon be flowing inside Bridgestone Arena, and you'll want to be here for the return of one of the Nashville Predators Foundation's top nights of the year.
The Foundation will host its 15th Annual Wine Festival & Tasting presented by Deacon's New South on Friday, March 11, on the Arena floor.
The festivities run from 6-10 p.m. CT, and general admission tickets are $89 per person. The festival will feature higher-end wines, beer, a spirit tasting, food samplings from local restaurants and an extensive silent auction. VIP tickets, including a five-course dinner and wine pairing featuring wines created by the Wagner Family in Napa Valley in the Patron Platinum Club, are $200 a person. All tickets purchased will also receive a $30 gift card to Deacon's New South.
Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets
for a one-of-a-kind experience in Smashville.

Milwaukee Admirals Update:

The Admirals remain hot, and their fourth-consecutive win came on Tuesday, a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves. Cody Glass, Cole Schneider, Matt Luff and Rocco Grimaldi all tallied on Tuesday, and Glass added two helpers for a three-point outing.
Grimaldi (21g-19a) and Schneider (18g-22a) are now tied for the team lead with 40 points apiece, followed by Glass (8g-28a) with 36 points and Luff (14g-17a) with 31. Goaltender Connor Ingram has 19 wins on the season, just one victory behind the league leader.

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Predators Official Podcast:

The Predators are back to work following All-Star Weekend. Preds goaltender David Rittich joins the show to talk about his first season in Nashville, watching the Olympics, pride for his younger brother and more. Plus, Brooks Bratten and Kara Hammer recap All-Star appearances for Roman Josi and Juuse Saros, look ahead to Bridgestone Winter Park and answer listener questions.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

In addition to Predators hockey, there are plenty of other exciting events coming to Bridgestone Arena. Make plans to attend your next concert or show today.
Coming Soon:
Feb. 18: New Edition: The Culture Tour with Charlie Wilson + Jodeci.
Click here for tickets
.
Feb. 19: Winter Jam 2022 with with Skillet, Tauren Wells, KB, Colton Dixon & more.
Click here for details
.
Feb. 20: Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias Back On Tour.
Click here for tickets
.

Week In Review:

Preds Find Positives in Effort, Not Result in Loss to Capitals
Predators Sign Mark Borowiecki to One-Year Contract
Ice Build Begins at Nissan Stadium Ahead of Stadium Series in Nashville
Preds Conclude Season Series Against Jets with Loss
Preds SuperGrant Allows CISTN to Help Students, Families, Communities
Predators Prospect Report: February 10
Preds Pro Scout Vitucci, Owner of Over 7,000 Pucks, Honored by ECHL
Smashville to Celebrate Hockey, Music with Bridgestone Winter Park
Preds Return from All-Star Break with Loss to Stars in Dallas
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley Set to Perform at Stadium Series Game