Predators release statement, detail their plans for attendance in 2021

The Nashville Predators have announced that they will have no fans in attendance to start the 2021 NHL season.

On a statement released through their website the Preds committed to working toward allowing "limited numbers of fans" into the arena, but cannot commit to that plan for opening day on January 14th.

From the team's official website:

Over the past few months, we have continued to shape, frame and revise our plan for reopening, and we couldn't be more thankful to the Metro Board of Health, Mayor Cooper's Office, the NHL and many others in helping us do so.

We know by now that the landscape in these times can change by the day. While we don't want to articulate our plans too far ahead of time, we will make every effort to detail our arrangements with as much notice as possible.

Therefore, as we drop the puck on Jan. 14, we have decided to begin the season without fans in attendance at Bridgestone Arena. Over time, we will work toward allowing limited numbers of fans into the arena while finding new ways to engage our fanbase and steadily grow the number of fans permitted in the building.

Obviously this isn't much of a surprise, but it's still considered a huge blow for the Preds. After all, this is a team that relies on its raucous home crowd to give them an advantage over opponents. I mean... it's not called Smashville for nothing. Preds fans get loud, rowdy and... well... smashed!