Franchise wins leader – Pekka Rinne (369 wins)

Lore & Background

Drafted in the eighth round in 2004, he was an afterthought who became a legend. His breakthrough came in the late 2000s, when his towering frame and butterfly style turned Nashville into a goalie-first team. By the 2010s, Rinne was the face of the franchise, leading the Predators to their first Stanley Cup Final in 2017 and earning the Vezina Trophy in 2018 as the NHL's best goaltender. Each win in Rinne's tally tells a story of resilience. He battled through injuries, including a hip surgery that threatened his career, only to return stronger. His 369th win, a 4–1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on April 24, 2021, sealed his place as the franchise's all-time leader in wins, games played, and shutouts. The record is a monument to his loyalty—Rinne never played for another NHL team, making him the ultimate Predator. Beyond the numbers, Rinne's legacy is woven into the fabric of Nashville. His charity work, his emotional retirement ceremony, and the standing ovations at Bridgestone Arena all reflect a bond between player and city that transcends hockey.

In Their Own Story

The arena hums with anticipation. It's April 24, 2021, and the scoreboard reads Predators 4, Blackhawks 1. With 2:13 left in the third period, the puck is frozen under Rinne's pad. The crowd rises, not for a goal, but for a moment. Rinne lifts his mask, sweat dripping, and taps his heart. He doesn't wave; he just nods, as if to say, 'This is home.'

Reader's Guide

Pekka Rinne's 369th win occurred on April 24, 2021, in a 4–1 home victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. The milestone cemented Rinne's status as the Predators' all-time leader in wins, a record built over 15 seasons from 2005 to 2021. The significance extends beyond the number. He also led the team to its first Western Conference championship in 2017, backstopping a run that captivated the city. The record is a benchmark for future Predators goaltenders, a reminder of the standard set by the franchise's first superstar. Rinne's number 35 hangs from the rafters at Bridgestone Arena, a permanent salute to the man who turned a sixth-round flier into a Hall of Fame career. Pekka!' through every save, every shutout, and every playoff run. For fans, that record isn't just a stat line; it's the sound of a goal horn, the flash of a catcher's mitt, and the quiet nod from a goalie who always called Nashville home.

Did You Know?

• Pekka Rinne was drafted in the eighth round, 258th overall, in 2004—one of the lowest-drafted goalies to achieve such success.
• He holds the Predators franchise record for shutouts as well, with 60 regular-season shutouts.
• Rinne won the Vezina Trophy in 2018, becoming the first and only Predator to win the award for best goaltender.