On Pekka Rinne’s 29th birthday, the Predators gifted him with a seven-year contract.



It was an appropriate present for a franchise goaltender who navigated an improbable path from eighth-round pick to top-tier starter.



“To me, when I signed that long-term deal, it was a huge burden on me,” Rinne said. “I was so scared if I’m ever going to be worth it. You put a lot of everything on one player, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that.”



But here he is, six years later, still going strong as a catalyst of the Predators’ rebirth as Stanley Cup favorites and long-overdue Vezina Trophy winner.



“I could have never believed all the things that (have) happened along the way,” Rinne said.



As another season begins, there’s no question about Rinne’s place on the roster, but it’s time to start thinking about life without him.



It’s hard to imagine...