This is Taco Stevenson coming to you again from the comforts of my bedroom as I strive for greatness despite Covid's daily attempts to keep the man (me) down.

Coming into the 2026 FNHL season, nobody in the Koshechkin family imagined that their fearless leader (Vasily) would be strapping on the pads and shucking rubber. After his 2021 season with the Islanders, Vasily Koshechkin hung em up and seemingly left the game for good. Though he hadn't played poorly, the Isles simply didn't want him back. And that was odd because this was the previous management team in Long Island..  not the one that recently became infamous for getting Burns'ed up the Nagle at the deadline ;) 

Fast forward 5 years and the Predators made the call to Russian in hopes that the dirty tendy still had some saves left in him. It took awhile for Koshechkin to understand that he had an actual offer to play in the FNHL again and it wasn't a prank..  but eventually he realized the opportunity and wow, had he ever seized it!  Though his spot play over 3 games in the Pros hasn't been great, his play in the Farm league has sparkled. Through 30 games, nobody is even close to matching his GAA of 2.43 (23-8-1)...  add in his 9 shutouts, and he's easily the reason why the Nashville farm club gives up the least goals league-wide to this point.

On that note, the Pro club also gives up the least goals across the FNHL... and while Vasily would already stand to have his name etched on the William Jennings trophy, we all would like to see it come with a bit more of a 'bang.' That's why tonight... with future franchise goalie Jake Oettinger injured, it'll be Koshechkin between the pipes against the Penguins. The fans in Russia have called for a frickin shutout. The American fans just want to see a win out of the middle-aged Russian. If he can get that.. he'll have earned their respect annnnnnd likely another contract for next season (no pressure, bud!)*