Nashville Predators hold Pride night after mass killing carried out by transgender shooter: commentary

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Around the NHL, "Pride Night" has become a hot-button issue. Several teams and players have opted out of the events citing religious or cultural beliefs.

However, the Nashville Predators went full-steam ahead with their "Pride Night" celebration just eight days after a transgender shooter killed six people at a Christian school, including three children.

Most recently, Buffalo Sabres player Ilya Lyubushkin declined to wear a "Pride Night" jersey. However, the rest of the team went ahead with the program.

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Cal Foote #52 and Kiefer Sherwood #44 of the Nashville Predators take the ice for warmups on Hockey Is For Everyone night prior to an NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Bridgestone Arena on April 4, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks did not wear their Pride-themed jerseys on March 22. The Minnesota Wild ditched their "Pride Night" sweaters despite promoting them prior to their game March 7. As did the New York Rangers back in January.

Because of the clear problems with trying to force players to conform with beliefs that many do not agree with, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman hinted that the league might forgo future "Pride Night" events altogether.

But one team not forgoing Pride Night" is the Nashville Predators. In fact, the Predators issued some of the staunchest support for the initiative in the entire league.

Defenseman Tyson Barrie appeared to take a shot at players and teams who have opted out of the Pride jerseys.

"There’s been a little bit of frustration on my end with what has kind of transpired this