Smashville Scope: January 28
Kyle Turris Reflects on the Life of Kobe Bryant; Outdoor Ice Coming to Smashville
by Brooks Bratten @brooksbratten / Senior Communications & Content Coordinator
It didn't matter to Kyle Turris that he lived in a different city, played a different sport or never had the pleasure to meet Kobe Bryant.
Like so many across the world, the Predators forward was stunned and saddened on Sunday when he heard of the sudden passing of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Turris sent out a tweet shortly after the worst was confirmed - the loss of Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash in California - to express his condolences.
The heartbreak on display across social media, television and the like has come from all corners, and everyone seems to have a memory of Bryant.
"All kids and young adults in my generation have been impacted by him," Turris said Monday. "I mean, every time you put up a jump shot, whether it's in the driveway or just shooting a crumpled-up piece of paper into the garbage in the classroom yelling, 'Kobe!' It's just something you did growing up.
"Everything about him - what he did on the court, his mentality, how intense he was, how big of a competitor he was, it just goes so far beyond basketball and sport in general."
As a father of three young children himself, Turris says Bryant is someone he would want them to look up to as they grow up and shoot a few hoops in their own driveway.
"Just the mentality he had approaching it all, he brought the best out of everybody," Turris said of Bryant. "And then off the court he brought that same mentality to life. Just seeing how he reacted with his daughters and coaching his daughter's basketball team… Having kids, myself, and just thinking about that situation is just heartbreaking."
Bryant transcended the world of sport, and although his playing career had come to an end a few seasons earlier, many have said he was just entering the prime of the rest of his life. Sometimes, it may seem as though people like Bryant will live forever. Sunday's accident is another reminder of how precious every day is, and that another is never guaranteed.
And like so many others, Turris will never forget the man known as Mamba, or simply, Kobe.
"I didn't know him, but just seeing his competitiveness and intense mindset, and just how he approached everything as a challenge [was inspiring]," Turris said. "And what he did off the court, just his business side of things and talented he was just in life…[Sunday] was a tough day for everybody."
Josi Shines at NHL All-Star Weekend:
Be proud of your captain, Smashville.
Between answering questions on media day, going 2-for-2 on goaltenders during the Save Streak Challenge at All-Star Skills, and then dishing out a pair of assists during the Central Division's outing in the 3-on-3 contest on Saturday, Roman Josi represented the Preds admirably during 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Louis.
In case you missed any of our coverage - or just want to relive it - take a look back at Josi's 72 hours in the Gateway to the West.
Preds All-Star Josi Continues to Impress Former Teammates Weber, Jones
Josi Scores On Breakaways, Takes In Best of Skills Competition
Josi Shines Bright as NHL All-Star Weekend Concludes in St. Louis
Video: Roman Josi honored to represent Nashville at All-Star
Video: Weber, Jones impressed by Josi's elevated game
Video: Josi previews lineups at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game
Video: Roman Josi shares his experience in St. Louis
Video: Roman Josi recaps the 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend
Outdoor Rink Coming Back to Smashville:
Get ready to lace up your skates in the elements at 501 Broadway.
In honor of hosting Hockey Day in America - an annual celebration that will come to Nashville on Feb. 16 - the Predators are currently building a public skating rink on the plaza at Bridgestone Arena.
The grand opening of The Rink on Broadway will take place on Feb. 1 before the Predators face the Golden Knights. That day, the plaza party presented by Lee Company will kick off at 4 p.m. CT. For $10, which includes skate rentals, fans will have the opportunity to take the ice in 75-minutes sessions. The rink will remain open until Feb. 23, and complete hours of operation can be found here.
Admirals Update:
The hottest team in the American Hockey League continues to reside in Milwaukee.
The Ads entered the AHL All-Star break on a three-game win streak, including a two-game sweep over Rockford by scores of 7-4 and 5-2.
Eeli Tolvanen, Tanner Jeannot, Daniel Carr, and newcomer Michael McCarron, who scored twice, all tallied in the most recent victory to give Milwaukee wins in seven of their last eight outings.
Carr leads the Ads with 17 goals and 36 points, followed by Cole Schneider with 30 points and Alexandre Carrier with 28 points. Carrier, goaltender Connor ingram and head coach Karl Taylor represented their club at the AHL All-Star Classic in Ontario, California, while Yakov Trenin, who was also selected to participate, is instead back up with the Preds.
The Admirals have 31 wins and 68 points at the All-Star break - nine points ahead of their closest challenger - and their next contest comes on Friday night in Chicago.
Goal of the Week:
Quote of the Week:
Roman Josi on attending NHL All-Star Weekend on behalf of the Preds:
"It's a huge honor to represent Nashville. Nashville is such a first-class organization, and there's so much respect around the League for the Predators and for the organization. I'm really happy to represent Nashville."
Shot of the Week:
…and there's more where that came from.
Preds vs. Maple Leafs Photo Gallery
2020 NHL All-Star Weekend Photo Gallery
The Week Ahead:
Wednesday at Washington Capitals, 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSN Radio: 102.5 The Game
Thursday at New Jersey Devils, 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: NBCSN Radio: 102.5 The Game
Saturday vs. Vegas Golden Knights, 7 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Predators Official Podcast:
NHL All-Stars Roman Josi, Shea Weber and Seth Jones discuss their time at the 2020 NHL All-Star Weekend in St. Louis. Meanwhile, Colton Sissons heads to Milwaukee (AHL) on a conditioning assignment. Plus, Brooks Bratten and Thomas Willis evaluate the Predators' standing under head coach John Hynes, as the stretch run begins. Preds enter the bye week with a win over Buffalo.
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:
Tool - Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. CT. Click here for tickets
Winter Jam - Jan. 31, 7 p.m. CT. Click here for tickets.
Week in Review:
Recap: Preds Return from Bye Week with Loss to Maple Leafs
Preds, Secretary of State Partner to Increase Voter Engagement
Preds Recall Sissons, Trenin, Tinordi from Milwaukee
NBC to Broadcast Hockey Day in America from Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 16