PRAISING PREDATORS
Gelinas has ties to Nashville
Martin Gelinas can be forgiven for having a soft spot for the Nashville Predators. Most people do. However, his connection with the club goes far beyond simply watching and admiring the 16th seed as it has became the biggest and best story of these playoffs.
Not only did Gelinas play with a few of the franchise’s cornerstones at the tail end of his career, he also had a hand in shaping them into the players they are today.
Gelinas played his last of 19 NHL seasons in Music City in 2008, leading to a call from general manager David Poile a year later, asking him if he’d be the club’s director of player development.
Armed with an infectious personality and relentless work ethic, Gelinas spent three years doing whatever he could to help the organization’s young talent progress — a list of players that includes several members of the Stanley Cup finalists.
“It’s funny because when I did player development, you put the time in and give them tools to get better, but you don’t really see the results,” said Gelinas, 46, who left Nashville in 2012 to be an assistant coach with the Flames — a role he still holds.
“Now, looking back at all the guys I had an impact on, I’m very proud of them all, no question. I’m pulling for the individuals I worked with because they’re good people and character people. I wish them the best. Ultimately, I’d like to see it happen for David Poile because I’ve got a lot of respect and time for him.”
In Gelinas’ last NHL season, he played with current Predators Vern Fiddler and netminder Pekka Rinne — the backbone of the Stanley Cup finalists who proved endlessly to Gelinas what a good person he is.
“The next year (the lockout year of 2012-13) I played in Europe (with Bern of the Swiss league) with Roman Josi, so I had a good feel of knowing Josi on and off the ice,” Gelinas said. “He was 18 and playing with men, and I remember saying to someone he was a pretty special player.”
Gelinas is not surprised at all the 26-year-old Josi is now one of the world’s best blue-liners.
“The way he skates and sees the ice and his defensive gifts — this just didn’t happen,” said Gelinas, recalling Josi’s legendary work ethic both in Europe and Nashville.
“I love being at the rink and I’ll spend all day there. But he was there before me. Not that he was training all the time but playing ping-pong and enjoying the atmosphere. He loves, loves, loves the game. Loves to get better. He’s a special player to me. To me, he’s one of the best players in the NHL.”
Ditto for Ryan Ellis, who was another treat to work with.
“Ellis was my favourite,” said Gelinas of the 25-year-old firstrounder, who leads all Predators defencemen with 12 playoff points. “Just the way he’s wired and the way he approached the game. He’s a winner, his hockey IQ is off the charts. He loves to compete, but he was a student of the game and wanted to get better. He was fun to work with.”
Gelinas also worked with Miikka Salomaki, Craig Smith, Colin Wilson and Austin Watson, who spent three weeks with Gelinas’ family in Calgary, training.
“He came on his own and wanted to get better, so we did some power skating and figure skating and climbed the mountain at Lake Louise,” Gelinas said.
“His road to the NHL was not easy. A first-round pick who was a late bloomer, and now he’s coming along so well. It’s awesome to see.”
So is the scene inside Bridgestone Arena, as well as the swelling crowds outside the rink in one of America’s best party towns.
“To be honest with you, when I signed there, I didn’t know anything about Nashville,” admitted Gelinas, who played for seven NHL teams.
“Soon after, I realized this is a pretty special place. I love the city. In the 19 years I played, we moved around quite a bit and it was my family’s favourite place to live. It’s Bible country. People are just friendlier than friendly.”
And even though the city almost lost its team at one point, it has proven to be a legitimate NHL town.
“It’s a great hockey hotbed, no question,” he said. “Clean, safe, weather is nice and when you get outside downtown familywise it’s one of the best places to live. Anyone who has been to Nashville will tell you it’s as fun a place to visit as there is. It’s just a good buzz.”
A buzz Gelinas has enjoyed as much as anyone given the investment he made in the group.