Chris Chelios, pictured here circa 1923.
With rumors that Chris Chelios had hoped to continue his Hall of Fame career with the Rangers or Maple Leafs, it seems that a new suitor has emerged from the fiery depths of hell and country music (redundant): the Nashville Predators.
John Glennon of the Tennessean – who, all jokes aside, is a great hockey writer – has this little nugget to share with bile-swallowing Red Wings fans:
One of the names being tossed around is 47-year-old Chris Chelios, whose abrasive style of play and frequent conversations with referees often made him a target of Predators fans.
Glennon continues along that “Chelios is not well-liked in Nashville” storyline. But, seriously, what else is new? He was arguably the most hated non-Red Wing before his trade to Motown and was instantly cheered at the Joe.
Barry Trotz, neckless head coach of the Predators, shared a conversation he’s had with Chelios, and it sorta sums it all up:
“I said, ‘Chris, are you sure you’d have the interest of playing in Nashville, because you’re not exactly well-liked here?’ ” Trotz said. “He said, ‘Trotzy, trust me, I’m not well-liked anywhere.’ I said ‘Yeah, I guess you’re right.’ ”
So much for that streak of 25 years with only Original Six teams.