Scott Hartnell spent his first six seasons in the NHL as a Nashville Predator, and though he spent a decade with Columbus and Philadelphia after that, he made it a priority to finish his career where he started it. On Saturday night, Nashville celebrated Scott Hartnell night, bringing back the ginger-haired forward for a ceremonial puck drop.
Hartnell reportedly wanted a real competition on the faceoff between Roman Josi and Carolina’s Justin Williams. Rumored to have promised $100 to the winner, Hartnell is sort of responsible for Williams, the mischevious architect of the Hurricanes’ storm surge celebrations, taking it a bit too far.
Video
Hartnell dropped the puck for Josi and Williams while holding his child Wesley. Some mild battling followed, then Williams escalated to a crosscheck, which should have been a penalty to be honest. Notice how the carpet under Hartnell AND HIS INFANT CHILD shifted as Williams made it physical.
By that point the puck was already gone, with Josi presumably winning the $100. This, it seems, was what Hartnell wanted all along.
"Hopefully Josi wins this one." Scott Hartnell on tonight's ceremonial puck drop pic.twitter.com/img4MnSvib
— Justin Bradford (@justinbbradford) March 9, 2019
Just prior to the faceoff, the Predators played a tribute video for Hartnell.
Scott Hartnell’s ‘Thank You’ video from tonight’s game! #Preds pic.twitter.com/3ercpq7W2r
— Predators Central (@CentralPredator) March 10, 2019
With a rousing round of applause, the Nashville crowd welcomed Hartnell, his wife Katie, and baby Wesley back home.
👋 @Hartsy43 pic.twitter.com/gFTnfih1Oo
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 10, 2019
In his 17-season career, Hartnell scored 327 goals.
