New dad Scott Hartnell ready for another NHL opportunity, not ruling out retirement

Adam Vingan | The Tennessean

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Sleepless nights mean something different to Scott Hartnell now.

Parenthood has that effect. On May 21, Hartnell became a first-time father, his wife Katie giving birth to son Wesley Douglas.

Think of it as an alternative form of offseason training.

"I'd say strong to quite strong," Hartnell said last week when asked to rate his fatherly abilities.

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The same can be said about an NHL career that has spanned almost 20 years and could end this summer. The Predators told Hartnell that they won't be re-signing him, leaving the free-agent forward to consider his next steps.

"There’s no secret I’m at the twilight of my career," said Hartnell, 36. "If my career was over this past season, I’ve got so much to look forward to. I’ve got no complaints (about) the way my career has (gone)."

Hartnell's reunion with the Predators this season after a decade apart went about as expected. He wasn't an everyday player but injected energy into the lineup with his bruising style of play and unmistakable hustle.

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That was none more apparent than in the second round against the Winnipeg Jets when Hartnell's presence helped spur the Predators' Game 4 win. But it was one of just four playoff games that he appeared in as the team opted for youth and speed.

"I kind of figured as much," Hartnell, who had 13 goals and 24 points in 62 games, said of the Predators' decision to part ways. "They have a lot of guys on one-way (contracts) that need to come up and (they) need to give them a chance. They’re going with their young guys obviously as we saw toward the end of the year, so it was no surprise in that respect.”

There's no telling what the market for Hartnell will be when free agency opens July 1. He knows he’s not, in his words, the “young punk” who debuted for the Predators in 2000 as a curly-haired hellion. Hartnell, though, still has value as a dependable crash-and-banger and locker-room leader.

“Roles change over time," Hartnell said. "I’m a pretty honest guy when I look in the mirror and assess my game and whatnot. I know I’m not a top-line guy, a top-two line guy.”

Thank you @PredsNHL and all of the Smashville fans out there! Had an absolute blast playing for the Preds again...a year I’ll never forget!! Thanks to all the boys and staff-you guys are amazing!!! The future is so bright. Lots of love! — Scott Hartnell (@Hartsy43) May 16, 2018

Hartnell already has started training for a potential opportunity, the intensity of those workouts stinging his hamstrings whenever he gets up to change Wesley's diapers.

The irrepressible passion that has fueled Hartnell throughout his 17-season career hasn't waned.

But if this is it, he's OK with that.

"If there’s a call in July and it’s the right opportunity and the right fit for me and my family, I think we’ll take that if I am comfortable with the role I want to play," Hartnell said. "But if it doesn’t come to that and it doesn’t turn into anything, I’m ready to move on, too. I have lots to look (forward to) here in my after-hockey-playing years.”

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

Scott Hartnell by the numbers

Drafted: No. 6 in 2000 by Predators

NHL debut: Oct. 6, 2000

First goal: Nov. 11, 2000

Career statistics (Predators, Flyers, Blue Jackets): 327 goals, 707 points in 1,249 games

Best season: 37 goals, 67 points in 2011-12 with Flyers

Accolades: 2012 NHL All-Star