Fansided

The gnarliest playoff beards in the history of every NHL team

By Bruin Belisle

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 25: Lanny McDonald #9 of the Calgary Flames hugs the Stanley Cup Trophy in the locker room after the Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals on May 25, 1989 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 25: Lanny McDonald #9 of the Calgary Flames hugs the Stanley Cup Trophy in the locker room after the Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals on May 25, 1989 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: The facial laceration sustained by Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during Game One of Round Two is shown during Game Two of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on April 29, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: The facial laceration sustained by Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during Game One of Round Two is shown during Game Two of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on April 29, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Nashville Predators: Ryan Ellis

When you think of NHL beards, the first two that come to mind are likely members of the San Jose Sharks. Aside from Brent Burns and Joe Thornton, Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators is the rightful “hair” to the throne.

Ellis and the Predators took over the league last season, making it to the Stanley Cup final and unleashing their raucous crowd on the rest of the world. Ellis is part of a Predators defense that is considered by many to be the top defense in the league. Ellis and his long red beard continue to improve on the ice, going from a plus-13 two years ago to a plus 17 last year and a plus-26 this season.

There’s a very good chance we’ll continue seeing Ellis and his beard as the Nashville Predators are very good (and one would think they are only going to get better). Perhaps his biggest naysayer comes from within his own organization, as fellow defenseman Ryan Johansen claims Ellis grows the beard to hide the fact that he is only five-foot-nine.

Ellis scoffs at the remark, saying that “Joey” is only jealous that he can’t grow a similar beard. These two can continue having this conversation on an annual basis, as it doesn’t seem like the dominant Preds will be out of a playoff spot in any foreseeable season to come.

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