Tootoo's Resurgence Sparks Preds

BY JESSE LIEBMAN

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

When you think of the "stars" of the Nashville Predators, your thoughts likely drift to goalie Pekka Rinne, captain Shea Weber and perhaps forward Steve Sullivan. Odds are punishing winger Jordin Tootoo isn't in the mix.

Truth be told, this is a club that has never had a true superstar, unless you count Peter Forsberg's 22-game cup of coffee as a playoff rental in 2006-07. Hell, does anyone even remember that?


To the average person, Tootoo is a guy known more for his brief fling with American Idol singer Kelly Pickler than he is for smashing an opposing player into the boards or scoring a timely goal. You want proof? This is the first result when you do a Google image search for Tootoo.


In a city where you would not expect hockey to have a devout following, the Predators are finally starting to reap the benefits of what they have sowed for 13 seasons. Nashville finally advanced to the conference semi-finals for the first time ever, and they've got Tootoo to thank for their run at history.



It seems the franchise has turned the corner. The mistakes of the past have been rectified; management is devoted to keeping its core players in Music City while bringing in components for a Cup run without sacrificing youth, the annual rotating carousel of goaltenders seems to have been stabilized with the emergence of Rinne, and the defensive corps is perhaps one of the most feared in the league. All the while the team has been anchored on the bench by Barry Trotz, who has been with Nashville since Day One.


The team even features the first home-grown player in franchise history -- Blake Geoffrion -- and wouldn't you know it, he's the progeny of hockey royalty. In fact, the franchise is a great representation of the new, modern NHL, in which small market teams can thrive. In addition to Geoffrion, the Preds' blueline also features rookie Jonathon Blum, of Long Beach, California. You read that right. The franchise should be a perennial contender for organization of the year.

But back to No. 22. He's come a long way, both in terms of his career and from the start of the season to where he is today. 


Sure, Tootoo has his critics. There are some who lambast the forward as a careless, irresponsible player with no regard for the sanctity of the game. He's a frequent target of disciplinary action by the league,  But the last few years have given fans a more mature Tootoo, one who plays much bigger than his five-foot-nine, 197-lbs. frame suggests.


The first player of Inuit descent to play in the league, Tootoo perhaps arrived to the NHL earlier than he should have at the age of 20. He also carried with him the baggage of being a trailblazer for Inuit youth in his native Nunavut, and the death of his older brother Terrance Tootoo, who committed suicide in the wake of a drunk driving arrest when Jordin was 19. 


Still, as a rookie in 2003-04 Tootoo became something of a fan favorite in Nashville, with his punishing body checks, unbridled enthusiasm and community involvement. He even managed a feat many grinders seek, achieving a Gordie Howe hat trick in a January game against the St. Louis Blues.


Then came the lockout. By the time the new, improved NHL returned in 2005-06, Tootoo seemed to be missing a step, splitting time between the minors and Nashville. It seemed his career had stalled.


In 2007, he gained a lot of detractors after a hit on Stéphane Robidas earned him a five-game suspension. From that point on, Tootoo became the main villain on a team that was developing a reputation as a first round pushover.


That all changed for Tootoo this season. It started when the forward voluntarily checked himself into the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program in late December for alcohol abuse.

There can be plenty of speculation made as to what led to Tootoo's alcohol abuse; the fact of the matter is he had the foresight to notice a problem and confront it. And it speaks volumes that the Predators organization stood by him through it all, despite the implications of losing a heart and soul player like Tootoo at such a critical juncture in the season.


Upon Tootoo's return, the Predators went 13-7-3, good enough to secure the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and the team's feel-good story of the year tallied four goals and four assists, enough to tie his season high total of 18 points in 2007-08. Unlike that season, in which Tootoo finished with a plus-minus of minus-8, the forward was a plus-8, and drew rave reviews from teammates and the coaching staff for his contributions.


Those contributions have seen an increase in ice time for Tootoo, a sign that Trotz has all the faith in the world in his grinder.


Entering their playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, not too many people predicted the impact that Tootoo would have. But there he was: slamming the likes of Luca Sbisa and Jason Blake into the boards, and making solid offensive contributions.

The line of Jerred Smithson-Tootoo-Nick Spaling paid dividends for the Predators when the Ducks neutralized the team's other scoring threats.


It was because of Tootoo's ability to create opportunities that the Predators iced the Ducks in six games. After driving to the net and getting a shot on Ray Emery, Spaling was there to chip in the rebound. After finishing the season with 18 points in 54 games, Tootoo completed the series against Anaheim with a goal and four assists in six games, placing him second in team scoring, while rocking a solid plus-3. Not too shabby.


Although it's perhaps too early to name Conn Smythe Trophy candidates for the playoffs' most valuable player, Tootoo's name certainly has to be in the mix if Nashville can continue its winning ways.


So when the puck drops on Game 1 of the Predators' Western Conference semi-finals against the Vancouver Canucks tonight, no doubt all of Nashville and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut will be tuned in and cheering on their favorite son. And there's little doubt that Tootoo will be happy to return the favor.