Kimmo Timonen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kimmo Timonen arrived in Nashville as a throw-in from the expansion draft, a polite 23-year-old Finn who'd never played an NHL game. But within a season, his skating—effortless, almost lazy-looking until he'd already stolen the puck—made him the team's de facto quarterback. He'd glide backward, absorb a forechecker's rush, then feather a tape-to-tape pass to a streaking winger, all without breaking a sweat. That calm became the franchise's backbone. He was named an alternate captain early, not because he barked orders, but because he set a standard: show up, do your job, never panic. His partnership with Pekka Rinne? A bittersweet what-if. They shared the ice for only 14 games before Timonen was traded, but fans still dream of what a full decade of that Finnish connection might have looked like. Instead, Timonen left behind a legacy of quiet durability: over 500 games in gold, leading the team in ice time year after year, and a Norris Trophy finalist nod in 2006-07. His number 5 now hangs in the Bridgestone rafters, the first European player so honored by the Predators—a testament to a man who never raised his voice, only his game. Off the ice, Timonen was a fixture at local charity events, often slipping in and out without a press release. His retirement ceremony in 2022 was less a goodbye and more a thank-you—from a city that learned to love hockey through his steady, silent brilliance.

In Their Own Story

The Bridgestone Arena lights dim, and a hush falls over the crowd. On the jumbotron, highlights roll: a young Kimmo Timonen, hair flowing, gliding effortlessly to break up a rush, then sending a perfect pass to spring a breakaway. The fans rise, their cheers building as the number 5 banner ascends to the rafters. Timonen, now in a suit, skates to center ice, his face a mix of humility and pride. He waves, and the roar is deafening. For a moment, the franchise's humble beginnings flash—the expansion team, the doubters, the quiet Finn who became its heart. He tips his head, a silent thank you, and the banner settles into place, forever part of the Predators' soul.

Reader's Guide

Kimmo Timonen was the Nashville Predators' first true star defenseman, playing for the club from its inaugural 1998-99 season until 2007. He was known for his exceptional skating, vision, and poise under pressure, making him a perennial top-pairing blueliner and power-play quarterback. His signature move? A subtle shoulder fake that froze forecheckers, followed by a stretch pass that turned defense into offense in a heartbeat. For fans watching the early Preds, Timonen was the calm eye of the storm—the guy who made the game look easy, even when the team was outmatched.

Did You Know?

• Kimmo Timonen was selected by the Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft from the Los Angeles Kings, having never played a game for them.
• He finished as the Predators' all-time leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenseman when he was traded in 2007.
• Timonen won Olympic bronze with Finland in 2010 and 2014, and silver in 2006.
• His number 5 was retired by the Predators on February 24, 2022, the first European player to receive that honor from the franchise.