Nashville Predators
Encyclopedia
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey
team based in Nashville, Tennessee
. They are members of the Central Division
of the Western Conference
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). They play their home games at Bridgestone Arena, formerly known as Sommet Center, Gaylord Entertainment Center and Nashville Arena.
's Dixie Flyers
. One of the first tenants of the Municipal Auditorium
, the Dixie Flyers played for nine seasons before folding in 1971. A decade later, Nashville Sounds
owner Larry Schmittou
made a second attempt at minor league hockey in Nashville when he brought the Nashville South Stars
to town for the 1981-82 season. While featuring Bob Suter
(Miracle on Ice
team member and father of Nashville Predator Ryan Suter
) as well as several of the parent club Minnesota North Stars
' prospects, the franchise folded after just two seasons. In 1989, the ECHL
Nashville Knights, perhaps the most popular of the minor league franchises, came to town. Coached by Predators assistant Peter Horachek, the Knights featured a potent offense that in 1994 set an ECHL record with 16 goals in one game. The Knights moved to Florida to become the Pensacola Ice Pilots
in 1996, but Nashville made one more attempt at a minor league franchise in the CHL
from 1996 to 1998. The team was known as the Nashville Nighthawks in the 1996-97 season and changed monikers to the Ice Flyers
in 1997-98, then folded when the Predators began play.
In 1995, rumors began to circulate that the New Jersey Devils
would be relocating to the planned Nashville Arena. Nashville offered a $20 million relocation bonus to any team that would relocate, and the Devils attempted to terminate their lease with New Jersey before finally restructuring it to stay put.
After the attempt to get the Devils, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
noted that Nashville would probably at least be considered in upcoming expansion.
In January 1997, a group led by Wisconsin
businessman Craig Leipold
made a formal presentation before the NHL requesting an expansion franchise. When Bettman and league officials visited Nashville to tour the arena, thousands gathered on the Arena plaza to greet them. In June, the league granted conditional franchises to Nashville, Columbus
, Atlanta and Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The Nashville team would be scheduled to begin play in 1998 if they met the NHL requirement of selling 12,000 season tickets before March 31, 1998. Of the four cities, Nashville was the only one with a completed arena, and therefore began play first. A month later, Leipold named former Washington Capitals
general manager David Poile
as the franchise's first general manager. Portland Pirates
head coach Barry Trotz
was named the franchise's first head coach on August 6. Mitch Korn
was named the first goaltending coach for the franchise. Poile, Trotz and Korn are still in their positions today.
On September 25, 1997, Leipold and team president Jack Diller held a press conference where they unveiled the franchise's new logo, a saber-toothed cat
(Smilodon
floridanus). The logo was a reference to a partial Smilodon
skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971, during construction of the First American National Bank
building, now the Regions Center (Nashville).
Once the logo was unveiled, the franchise held a vote among fans to choose a name. Three candidates were culled from 75: Ice Tigers, Fury and Attack. Leipold added his own submission to the vote, Predators. On November 13, Leipold revealed at a press conference that his submission had won out and that the new franchise would be known as the Nashville Predators.
At one point, rumors began to circulate that the team would move before the first puck ever hit the ice. One rumor had Leipold trading franchises with the Edmonton Oilers
, with the Oilers moving to Nashville and the Nashville expansion franchise moving to Houston, Texas
. Leipold shot this rumor down, "There is no chance."
When awarded a franchise, the city of Nashville paid 31.50% of the $80-million fee to join the league. The city has engaged an affiliate of the team to operate the arena and that agreement protects the city against annual arena operating losses over approximately $3.8 million.
The Predators first took the ice on October 10, 1998, where they lost 1-0 at home to the Florida Panthers
. Three nights later, on October 13, they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes
3–2 for their first win. Forward Andrew Brunette
scored the first goal on a play that was reviewed by the video goal judge.
The Predators, in their first year of existence, finished second-last in the Western Conference with a 28–47–7 record. The 28 wins, however, are a record for an expansion team.
1999–2000 season
The Predators finished with an almost identical record to the previous season (28–40–7–7) and finished last in the West behind the Calgary Flames
. During a game versus the New York Islanders
on February 20, 2000, the Predators scored four goals in 3 minutes and 38 seconds.
2000–01 season
The Predators opened with two games in Japan
against the Pittsburgh Penguins
. Each team won a game in front of the largest crowds ever to see a hockey game in Japan. Backed by the goaltending duo of Mike Dunham
and Tomas Vokoun
, Nashville finished the season in tenth place in the West, 10 points out of a playoff spot with a 34–36–9–3 record, for 80 total points.
2001–02 season
A highlight of the season for the Predators was recording their 100th victory as a franchise on December 6, 2001. With that win, Nashville became the second-fastest expansion team of the 1990s to reach the 100-win plateau. The team was especially unlucky in overtime, finishing with a 28–41–13–0 record – good for 69 points and a 15th spot in the West.
2002–03 season
In 2002–03, coach Barry Trotz
broke the record for most games coached by the original coach of an expansion team (392 games). Nashville finished the season with a 27–35–13–7 record for 74 points, putting them well out of contention in the Western Conference in 14th place.
2003–04 season
The Predators, under coach Barry Trotz
, finished eighth in the Western Conference
and made their first trip to the playoffs
. The Detroit Red Wings
beat them in six games in the quarterfinal.
The 2004–05 season was locked out by a labor dispute between the owners and players.
2005–06 season
In 2005–06, the Predators set an NHL record by winning their first four games by one goal each (although two of those were shootout victories, which would have been tie games in previous seasons). They also became only the fourth NHL franchise to start the season 8–0; the last time a team did so was the Toronto Maple Leafs
, who set the mark with a 10–0 start in 1993. The Predators set the franchise mark for wins in a season with a 2–0 shutout of the Phoenix Coyotes
on March 16, 2006. In that match, Chris Mason became the ninth goaltender to score a goal. By the end of the season, the Predators had accumulated 106 points—their first 100-point season—and clinched home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. They finished the season with an NHL-best 32–8–1 record at home.
In the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
, the Predators faced the San Jose Sharks
in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Sharks beat them in five games.
2006–07 season
The Predators acquired veteran center Jason Arnott
from free agency on July 2, 2006. Arnott and David Legwand
led the team in goals with 27 each. Late in the season the Predators traded two former first round draft picks Scottie Upshall
and Ryan Parent
, plus their first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2007 draft, to the Philadelphia Flyers
for five-time NHL all-star Peter Forsberg
.
The Predators finished the season ranked fourth in the Western Conference with a franchise record 110 points (51-23-8-110 pts), despite finishing third overall behind only Buffalo (53-22-7-113 pts) and Detroit (50-19-13-113 pts). The NHL awards the first three playoff rankings to each of the two Conference's division leaders, thus Detroit was awarded the top ranking and Nashville was ranked fourth behind the other two Western division leaders Anaheim (48-20-14-110 pts) and Vancouver (49-26-7-105pts). They were defeated by the San Jose Sharks in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs
Western Conference quarter-finals for the second year in a row, losing the series 4 games to 1, for the second straight season.
2007–08 season
After having their roster decimated during the off-season, multiple potential buyers, and rumors of the franchise potentially moving hounding the team until almost mid-season, the Predators were not expected to have a successful year. Chris Mason, former backup goaltender to Tomas Vokoun
(who was traded to the Florida Panthers
) had a shaky season, and shared net-minding duties with Dan Ellis
. Ellis, who was signed from the Dallas Stars
before the season began had a 233:39 long shutout streak (fifth longest in league history) nearing the end of the season that helped Nashville squeak into the eighth playoff spot with 91 points.
The Predators met the President's Trophy winning (and eventual Stanley Cup winners) Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs, and were defeated 4 games to 2 – their fourth straight first round knockout.
2008–09 season
The first off-season of settling in under new ownership was a quiet one for the Predators with little personnel movement. As such, the Predators began the season with little expectation. Following a strong push after the All-Star break and no movement at the trade deadline, the team found themselves still battling for a playoff spot into the last week of the season. Buoyed by the return of Steve Sullivan
after almost two seasons recovering from a back injury, the Predators finished with 88 points, settling for 10th place in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs
for the first time in five seasons.
2009–10 season
The Predators made few major additions to their roster in the off-season, signing former San Jose
forward Marcel Goc
(who was extended for another year by the club in mid-season) and former Montreal
defenseman Francis Bouillon
. The season also saw the much-anticipated debut of top prospect Colin Wilson
; however, due to a groin injury suffered in training camp, Wilson spent the first week and a half of the season on the sidelines, and was sent to Milwaukee
in November. He would return to the club in February, scoring eleven points in his next fifteen games, and finishing the season with fifteen points in thirty-five games.
The 2009–10 season was also a breakout year for last pick in the 2005 Draft
, Patric Hornqvist
. After scoring just two goals in twenty-eight games last year, the 23-year-old Swede scored thirty in 09-10 becoming the fourth Predator to do so (the others being Steve Sullivan
, Paul Kariya
and Jason Arnott
). Hornqvist was often found in front of the net, often drawing comparisons to Red Wings
winger Tomas Holmstrom
.
Kept afloat by timely goals from Hornqvist and spectacular play by Pekka Rinne
after the Olympic break, the Predators were as high as fifth in the Western Conference standings with just a few games left to play, but finished seventh and drew a first-time playoff opponent: Chicago
.
The Predators picked up their first-ever away win in the postseason on April 16, when they beat the Blackhawks 4-1 at the United Center
. The two clubs sparred back and forth, splitting both sets of home games to have the series level at 2-2 heading into the nationally televised Game 5.
Game 5, however, resulted in a loss. Forward Marian Hossa
hit defender Dan Hamhuis
from behind with 1:03 left in regulation, and the Predators holding a 4-3 advantage. On the ensuing power play, Chicago would get an odd-man rush, allowing Patrick Kane
to score and send the game into overtime. In overtime, Hossa scored at the end of his penalty to give the Blackhawks the win. The club lost Game 6 at the Bridgestone Arena by a score of 5-3, and the series by the tally of four games to two. The Predators finished with one of the worst power plays in the postseason, scoring just one goal and going 0-for-21 in the first five games.
2010–11 season
David Poile traded captain Jason Arnott
to New Jersey
for winger Matt Halischuk and a draft pick, and acquired forward Sergei Kostitsyn
from Montreal
and former first round pick Ryan Parent
from Philadelphia
in exchange for impending free agents Dan Hamhuis
, Dustin Boyd
and Dan Ellis
. The club also signed 1999 second-round draft pick Jonas Andersson and Sodertalje
forward Linus Klasen
upon the opening of free agency. The club also confirmed the arrivals of Roman Josi
, Anders Lindback
and Atte Engren
from overseas, and signed its first home-grown talent, Hobey Baker Award
-winner and Brentwood
native Blake Geoffrion
. On July 2, the Predators announced the signing of veteran forward Matthew Lombardi
to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.
On July 9, the Predators announced that defenseman Shea Weber
would become the club's fifth captain. On September 19, it was announced that defenseman Ryan Suter
and forward Steve Sullivan
would serve as the team's alternate captains.
The Predators traded forward Michael Santorelli to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a draft pick. The Predators also traded defenseman Ryan Parent
and forward Jonas Andersson to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Shane O'Brien and a forward prospect. The club also signed young defensemen Aaron Johnson, Brett Palin
and Grant Lewis
. The Predators also signed forward Jamie Lundmark
. On February 11, the Predators acquired 4-time 20-goal scoring, 11 year veteran, Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2011 first round draft pick and a 2012 conditional pick. On February 25, the Predators traded defenseman Alexander Sulzer
to the Florida Panthers for a conditional seventh round draft pick. They also placed forward Wade Belak
on waivers.
On April 24, 2011, the Nashville Predators celebrated a team milestone, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the Anaheim Ducks
in front of another sellout crowd at Bridgestone Arena, winning their first-round series in 6 games. On April 22, 2010, Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was nominated as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.
The Nashville Predators played against the number one ranked team in the NHL in the 2nd round, the Vancouver Canucks
. The Predators lost the series 4-2.
It was a very successful season for the Predators on and off the ice. The Predators racked up 16 regular season sell-outs and an additional 6 sell-outs during the playoffs.
On August 31, 2011, Predators fan favorite and former Toronto Maple Leaf, Florida Panther, Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flame, Wade Belak
was found dead in a Toronto condo. Belak was one of three NHL enforcers that died that summer. The Predators will wear commemorative decals on their helmets for the 2011-12 season.
On September 7, 2011, a tragedy struck the hockey world as the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
hockey team died in a horrific plane crash in Russia. Three members of that team had ties to the Predators. Karlis Skrastins
played for the Predators from 1998 to 2003. Josef Vasicek
played for the Predators during the 2006-07 season. Robert Dietrich was a Predators prospect who spent his tenure with the Predators playing for their minor league affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals
.
2011–12 season
On June 22, 2011, the Predators unveiled their modified logo set for the 2011-12 season. With the color scheme simplified to blue, gold, and white (eliminating the steel, silver, and orange) the Preds cleaned up their primary logo and wordmark, adding a new alternate logo incorporating elements from a guitar pick and the Tennessee state flag
.
On November 3rd, 2011, the Predators signed Goaltender Pekka Rinne
to a 7 year, 49 million dollar deal. It was the largest contract awarded in Nashville Predators history as well as making Rinne the highest paid goal tender in the league that year.
, Jim Balsillie
. At the time, Leipold indicated that the team would play the 2007–08 season in Nashville but that the future of the team after that was not clear. Balsillie had long been rumored to be interested in placing another team in Southern Ontario
. The deal was expected to be finalized by late-June and had to be finished by June 30, 2007. Despite promising to not do so and in violation of instructions from the league, Balsillie began taking steps toward moving the franchise he didn't yet own. The proposed relocation site was Hamilton, Ontario
. Relocating to Hamilton would almost certainly have required compensation and/or residual rights to be granted to the Toronto Maple Leafs
as they own territorial rights to the region.
The Buffalo Sabres
may also have demanded compensation although they are out of the 50 mile territorial zone set by the NHL.
On June 13, again in violation of league directives and improperly using the Predator logo and trademark, it was announced that season ticket deposits for the "Hamilton Predators" would begin to go on sale through Ticketmaster
the next day. A source said Balsillie's objective was to show the league's governors that there is a potential for National Hockey League expansion into Canada's large base of ticket buyers in Southern Ontario.
On June 23, information was leaked by several sources indicating that Leipold no longer wanted to sell the Predators to Basillie. Leipold responded indirectly advising that a deal with Basillie was still possible. Mr. Basillie's lawyer, Richard Rodier, was quoted as saying Craig Leipold's letter to the NHL "changed little if anything" in regards to the pending sale and was a mere formality as part of the sale process. Canadian insiders believed that the information and delay tactics may have been because the league did not want a team to move to Canada, something the NHL denies. Leipold later revealed the true reason: Balsillie had no intent of trying to keep the team in Nashville, had actively interfered with the Predator's relationship with the city of Nashville, and only wanted to buy the team if he could guarantee moving it. Thereafter, Balsillie never abided by the terms originally negotiated with Leipold.
Subsequently, a campaign to land the team in Kansas City, Missouri
, reportedly received a boost in late June 2007. The National Post
of Canada, citing anonymous sources, reported that Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold plans to sell the team to San Jose
venture capitalist William "Boots" Del Biaggio, who wanted to relocate the club to Kansas City’s new Sprint Center
for the 2008-09 season. Del Biaggio, who has a contract with Anschutz Entertainment Group to own an NHL club in Sprint Center, had made an offer reported to be for about $190 million for the Predators. In 2005, he had an agreement to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the club backed out of the deal after it won the NHL draft lottery and took Sidney Crosby
with the first overall pick. Balsillie’s taking season-ticket deposits in Hamilton while the Predators still have a lease to play in Nashville upset NHL owners and commissioner Gary Bettman and reportedly caused Leipold to have second thoughts about selling to Balsillie. Although a ticket drive in selling corporate suites was underway in Kansas City, it did not include season tickets like Balsillie's move. Later that day, Leipold denied rumours that he was dealing exclusively with Del Biaggio, stating that he is open to all bids and that a deal with Basillie was still possible. Leipold is said to have been incensed that Balsillie was reneging on his promise to not move the Predators and failing to make the required deposit in connection with the offer. The Globe and Mail reported on July 4, 2007, a group of 30 investors became the third party to make a bid to purchase the franchise and keep the team in Nashville.
On July 19, 2007, a group of local business owners known as Our Team Nashville held a rally at the Sommet Center to encourage fans to buy season tickets in order to help the Predators meet the attendance figures needed to keep the team in Nashville. They drew approx 7,500 fans and sold the equivalent of 726 full season tickets during the rally. The rally was heavily supported by George Plaster, a sportscaster on WGFX
104.5 "The Zone" sports radio in Nashville.
On August 1, 2007, the group who had intentions to keep the team in Nashville delivered a letter of intent from Craig Leipold. After negotiations with the city of Nashville, the local group headed by David Freeman reached an agreement with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and the NHL Board of Governors approved the sale on November 29, 2007. The $172 million acquisition of the Nashville Predators included repayment of existing debt of approximately $61 million and $2.2 million in fees and expenses.
The sale of the Predators to the Tennessee-based group was made along with Del Biaggio, who agreed to enter into a partnership with the locally-based buyers. Under the terms of the agreement, Del Biaggio and a minority partner acquired about 27% of the club.
. Furthermore, it is alleged that Del Biaggio acquired the loans he used to buy his stake in the team through fraudulent means, prompting an FBI investigation and criminal charges. The charges ended up culminating in a 97-month prison sentence for Del Biaggio.
Under United States bankruptcy law a trustee was appointed to sell Del Biaggio's assets, including his stake in the Predators to pay off his creditors. One report indicated that, perhaps as a last ditch attempt to avoid bankruptcy Del Biaggio solicited an offer from Balsillie to buy his stake in the team at a "significant premium". That deal was said to have collapsed after the NHL and/or the local group either blocked it outright or at least insisted on the annulment of all concessions given to Del Biaggio prior to any transfer of the stake to Balsillie.
Major North American sports leagues are expected to exercise "due diligence" before allowing anyone to acquire a large stake in a franchise, so Del Biaggio's bankruptcy is considered to be a serious public relations
setback for the league. After swindler
John Spano
had briefly gained control of the New York Islanders
in 1997, due to insufficient evaluation, the NHL had since vetted prospective owners with Ernst and Young and a New York City
law firm.
Furthermore, the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings arguably could affect the rights of the league and the other Predators owners to block the sale of Del Biaggio's stake to the highest bidder. Depending on the circumstances, a party could argue that the constitution and by-laws of the NHL could be superseded if a bankruptcy court determined that the league was trying to enforce its rules in a manner detrimental to the creditors' interests, although it is entirely unclear whether such an argument could succeed. Predators' owners disagree completely with this theory.
On February 24, 2009, Calgary
billionaire W. Brett Wilson
had entered discussions with Predators majority owner David Freeman with intentions to invest in their third sports franchise together. Wilson confirms that progress has been made in his plans to invest in the team, with a "handshake agreement" but to date, nothing in writing. The long disputed 27 per cent share that belonged to minority shareholder William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III, is expected to be purchased by Wilson, with his eventual share in the Predators to be "nominal".
The Predators have announced that the team turned a profit for both the 2008–09 season and 2009–10 season despite the serious global economic downturn, and attendance exceeded an average of 14,000 paid tickets per game in both years.
In November 2011 it was announced that W. Brett Wilson
had purchased a 5% interest in the Nashville Predators.
. For the 2007–08 season, the Predators updated their jerseys with new striping. The logo was left unchanged, and the colors were left unchanged. Nashville was added to the 'away' jerseys above the logo.
onto the ice. The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville cites the first instance of this on October 30, 2003. At least four catfish were thrown onto the ice after the first Nashville goal on November 13, 2003.
Section 303 is a section of fans at the Bridgestone Arena colloquially known as "The Cellblock". The group refers to themselves as "the loudest section of the loudest arena in the NHL". The fan-based organization has been recognized by the Predators' front office. A large banner was produced by the front office for posting on the wall behind the section.
On April 3, 2008, with the Predators clinging to a 3-2 lead with 4:30 in their final home game of the regular season, a sellout crowd at the then-Sommet Center gave the team a standing ovation
through the entirety of the final TV timeout
. The Predators went on to win the game against the St. Louis Blues
, and advanced to the playoffs that year
, where the "standing O" during the final TV timeout has since become a fan tradition.
The mascot of the Predators is Gnash, a blue saber-toothed cat. Introduced in 1998, his trademark includes stunts, such as very fast rappels, zip lines and a pendulum swing that takes him under the scoreboard and just inches off the ice.
To go along with the saber-toothed cat mascot, Predators fans proudly use their “Fang Fingers” during each Power Play of the game (when a penalty is called on the opposing team, leaving them a man down on the ice). There are foam saber-fang gloves you can buy to put over your hands, but most fans simply curl their pointer and middle finger on each hand into fang shapes and brandish them in an up-and-down motion that suggests, “we’re going to sink our teeth into you!” Fang Fingers are done to the horror sounds from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, ‘Psycho.’
GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Records as of April 10, 2011.
Retired numbers: The Predators have not retired any numbers. However, Wayne Gretzky
's number 99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game on February 6, 2000.
Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Predators player
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. They are members of the Central Division
Central Division (NHL)
The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...
of the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). They play their home games at Bridgestone Arena, formerly known as Sommet Center, Gaylord Entertainment Center and Nashville Arena.
Hockey in Nashville
Hockey first appeared in Middle Tennessee in 1962 in the form of the Eastern Hockey LeagueEastern Hockey League
-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
's Dixie Flyers
Nashville Dixie Flyers
The Nashville Dixie Flyers were a professional minor league ice hockey team in Nashville, Tennessee. They played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1962 until the franchise folded in 1971. Their home games were held at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium....
. One of the first tenants of the Municipal Auditorium
Nashville Municipal Auditorium
The Nashville Municipal Auditorium is an indoor sports and concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee...
, the Dixie Flyers played for nine seasons before folding in 1971. A decade later, Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
owner Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou
Larry Schmittou is an American entrepreneur. He currently owns a S&S Family Entertainment LLC, which operates a chain of bowling centers. He is a former coach of the Vanderbilt University baseball team. From the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, he was the owner of several minor league baseball teams...
made a second attempt at minor league hockey in Nashville when he brought the Nashville South Stars
Nashville South Stars
The Nashville South Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League for the 1981-82 season. They then played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League for the 1982-83 season and part of the 1983-84 season before the franchise relocated to become the Virginia Lancers.It had been...
to town for the 1981-82 season. While featuring Bob Suter
Bob Suter
Robert Allen Suter is a retired American ice hockey defenseman and member of the Miracle on Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team won the gold medal team...
(Miracle on Ice
Miracle on Ice
The "Miracle on Ice" is the name in American popular culture for a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, on Friday, February 22...
team member and father of Nashville Predator Ryan Suter
Ryan Suter
Ryan Suter is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for and serves as an alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League . He is also an alternate captain of the US Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics...
) as well as several of the parent club Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
' prospects, the franchise folded after just two seasons. In 1989, the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
Nashville Knights, perhaps the most popular of the minor league franchises, came to town. Coached by Predators assistant Peter Horachek, the Knights featured a potent offense that in 1994 set an ECHL record with 16 goals in one game. The Knights moved to Florida to become the Pensacola Ice Pilots
Pensacola Ice Pilots
The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders , and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the...
in 1996, but Nashville made one more attempt at a minor league franchise in the CHL
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
from 1996 to 1998. The team was known as the Nashville Nighthawks in the 1996-97 season and changed monikers to the Ice Flyers
Nashville Ice Flyers
The Nashville Ice Flyers played as part of the Central Hockey League at Nashville Municipal Auditorium from 1997–1998. Alexsandr Chunchukov lead the team in points in the 1997–1998 season, with 102 points. They were previously known as the Nashville Nighthawks. Iain Duncan also played for the Ice...
in 1997-98, then folded when the Predators began play.
In 1995, rumors began to circulate that the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
would be relocating to the planned Nashville Arena. Nashville offered a $20 million relocation bonus to any team that would relocate, and the Devils attempted to terminate their lease with New Jersey before finally restructuring it to stay put.
NHL expansion
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
noted that Nashville would probably at least be considered in upcoming expansion.
In January 1997, a group led by Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
businessman Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold is an American businessman. He is known for owning two professional ice hockey teams in the National Hockey League. He formerly owned the Nashville Predators and is the majority owner of the Minnesota Wild...
made a formal presentation before the NHL requesting an expansion franchise. When Bettman and league officials visited Nashville to tour the arena, thousands gathered on the Arena plaza to greet them. In June, the league granted conditional franchises to Nashville, Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, Atlanta and Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The Nashville team would be scheduled to begin play in 1998 if they met the NHL requirement of selling 12,000 season tickets before March 31, 1998. Of the four cities, Nashville was the only one with a completed arena, and therefore began play first. A month later, Leipold named former Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
general manager David Poile
David Poile
David Poile is the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the NHL's Nashville Predators....
as the franchise's first general manager. Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
head coach Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz is the head coach of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators. He was previously the coach of the American Hockey League's Baltimore Skipjacks and Portland Pirates, with whom he won an AHL championship in 1994. That same year, he won the Louis A.R...
was named the franchise's first head coach on August 6. Mitch Korn
Mitch Korn
Mitch Korn , is a professional hockey goaltending coach and former goaltender. He presently works for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
was named the first goaltending coach for the franchise. Poile, Trotz and Korn are still in their positions today.
On September 25, 1997, Leipold and team president Jack Diller held a press conference where they unveiled the franchise's new logo, a saber-toothed cat
Saber-toothed cat
Saber-toothed cat or Sabre-toothed cat refers to the extinct subfamilies of Machairodontinae , Barbourofelidae , and Nimravidae as well as two families related to marsupials that were found worldwide from the Eocene Epoch to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch ,...
(Smilodon
Smilodon
Smilodon , often called a saber-toothed cat or saber-toothed tiger, is an extinct genus of machairodonts. This saber-toothed cat was endemic to North America and South America, living from near the beginning through the very end of the Pleistocene epoch .-Etymology:The nickname "saber-tooth" refers...
floridanus). The logo was a reference to a partial Smilodon
Smilodon
Smilodon , often called a saber-toothed cat or saber-toothed tiger, is an extinct genus of machairodonts. This saber-toothed cat was endemic to North America and South America, living from near the beginning through the very end of the Pleistocene epoch .-Etymology:The nickname "saber-tooth" refers...
skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971, during construction of the First American National Bank
First American National Bank
First American National Bank was a subsidiary of First American National Corporation, a financial institution based in Nashville, Tennessee that served the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Virginia...
building, now the Regions Center (Nashville).
Once the logo was unveiled, the franchise held a vote among fans to choose a name. Three candidates were culled from 75: Ice Tigers, Fury and Attack. Leipold added his own submission to the vote, Predators. On November 13, Leipold revealed at a press conference that his submission had won out and that the new franchise would be known as the Nashville Predators.
At one point, rumors began to circulate that the team would move before the first puck ever hit the ice. One rumor had Leipold trading franchises with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, with the Oilers moving to Nashville and the Nashville expansion franchise moving to Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Leipold shot this rumor down, "There is no chance."
When awarded a franchise, the city of Nashville paid 31.50% of the $80-million fee to join the league. The city has engaged an affiliate of the team to operate the arena and that agreement protects the city against annual arena operating losses over approximately $3.8 million.
The Predators first took the ice on October 10, 1998, where they lost 1-0 at home to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
. Three nights later, on October 13, they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
3–2 for their first win. Forward Andrew Brunette
Andrew Brunette
Andrew Brunette is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Brunette grew up in the small community of Valley East, Ontario just outside of Sudbury...
scored the first goal on a play that was reviewed by the video goal judge.
Summary of seasons
1998–99 season1998–99 Nashville Predators season
The 1998–99 Nashville Predators season was the team's inaugural season. The team accumulated 28 wins and 47 losses, with seven games ending in ties for a total of 63 points, finishing in fourth place in the NHL Central, and 12th in the Western Conference...
The Predators, in their first year of existence, finished second-last in the Western Conference with a 28–47–7 record. The 28 wins, however, are a record for an expansion team.
1999–2000 season
1999–2000 Nashville Predators season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T/OT = Ties/overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage; -External links:...
The Predators finished with an almost identical record to the previous season (28–40–7–7) and finished last in the West behind the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. During a game versus the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on February 20, 2000, the Predators scored four goals in 3 minutes and 38 seconds.
2000–01 season
2000–01 Nashville Predators season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals...
The Predators opened with two games in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
against the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. Each team won a game in front of the largest crowds ever to see a hockey game in Japan. Backed by the goaltending duo of Mike Dunham
Mike Dunham
Michael Dunham is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently the goaltending coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, Nashville finished the season in tenth place in the West, 10 points out of a playoff spot with a 34–36–9–3 record, for 80 total points.
2001–02 season
2001–02 Nashville Predators season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals...
A highlight of the season for the Predators was recording their 100th victory as a franchise on December 6, 2001. With that win, Nashville became the second-fastest expansion team of the 1990s to reach the 100-win plateau. The team was especially unlucky in overtime, finishing with a 28–41–13–0 record – good for 69 points and a 15th spot in the West.
2002–03 season
2002–03 Nashville Predators season
-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltendingNote: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals...
In 2002–03, coach Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz is the head coach of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators. He was previously the coach of the American Hockey League's Baltimore Skipjacks and Portland Pirates, with whom he won an AHL championship in 1994. That same year, he won the Louis A.R...
broke the record for most games coached by the original coach of an expansion team (392 games). Nashville finished the season with a 27–35–13–7 record for 74 points, putting them well out of contention in the Western Conference in 14th place.
2003–04 season
2003–04 Nashville Predators season
For the first time in Nashville history,they qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs,losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round.-Game log:-Regular season:ScoringGoaltending-Playoffs:ScoringGoaltending...
The Predators, under coach Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz is the head coach of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators. He was previously the coach of the American Hockey League's Baltimore Skipjacks and Portland Pirates, with whom he won an AHL championship in 1994. That same year, he won the Louis A.R...
, finished eighth in the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
and made their first trip to the playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
. The Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
beat them in six games in the quarterfinal.
The 2004–05 season was locked out by a labor dispute between the owners and players.
2005–06 season
2005–06 Nashville Predators season
The 2005–06 Nashville Predators season was the eighth season of the Nashville Predators. The Predators qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season.-Regular season:...
In 2005–06, the Predators set an NHL record by winning their first four games by one goal each (although two of those were shootout victories, which would have been tie games in previous seasons). They also became only the fourth NHL franchise to start the season 8–0; the last time a team did so was the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who set the mark with a 10–0 start in 1993. The Predators set the franchise mark for wins in a season with a 2–0 shutout of the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
on March 16, 2006. In that match, Chris Mason became the ninth goaltender to score a goal. By the end of the season, the Predators had accumulated 106 points—their first 100-point season—and clinched home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. They finished the season with an NHL-best 32–8–1 record at home.
In the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League championship began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the conference quarterfinals...
, the Predators faced the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Sharks beat them in five games.
2006–07 season
2006–07 Nashville Predators season
The 2006–07 Nashville Predators season was the ninth National Hockey League season in Nashville, Tennessee.The Predators, looking to get past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history, bulked up their roster by signing star forward Jason Arnott, whose 76...
The Predators acquired veteran center Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
from free agency on July 2, 2006. Arnott and David Legwand
David Legwand
David Legwand is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League . He attended Grosse Pointe North High School....
led the team in goals with 27 each. Late in the season the Predators traded two former first round draft picks Scottie Upshall
Scottie Upshall
Scott Upshall is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
and Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, plus their first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2007 draft, to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for five-time NHL all-star Peter Forsberg
Peter Forsberg
Peter Mattias "Foppa" Forsberg is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently an assistant general manager of Modo Sports. Known for his on-ice vision and physical play, Forsberg is considered one of the most complete players of his generation...
.
The Predators finished the season ranked fourth in the Western Conference with a franchise record 110 points (51-23-8-110 pts), despite finishing third overall behind only Buffalo (53-22-7-113 pts) and Detroit (50-19-13-113 pts). The NHL awards the first three playoff rankings to each of the two Conference's division leaders, thus Detroit was awarded the top ranking and Nashville was ranked fourth behind the other two Western division leaders Anaheim (48-20-14-110 pts) and Vancouver (49-26-7-105pts). They were defeated by the San Jose Sharks in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs
2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 11, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the...
Western Conference quarter-finals for the second year in a row, losing the series 4 games to 1, for the second straight season.
2007–08 season
2007–08 Nashville Predators season
The 2007–08 Nashville Predators season began October 4, 2007. It was the Nashville Predators tenth season in the National Hockey League.The 2007 offseason was dominated by the attempted purchase of the Predators by Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie, who signed a letter of intent to purchase the...
After having their roster decimated during the off-season, multiple potential buyers, and rumors of the franchise potentially moving hounding the team until almost mid-season, the Predators were not expected to have a successful year. Chris Mason, former backup goaltender to Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(who was traded to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
) had a shaky season, and shared net-minding duties with Dan Ellis
Dan Ellis
Daniel Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League...
. Ellis, who was signed from the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
before the season began had a 233:39 long shutout streak (fifth longest in league history) nearing the end of the season that helped Nashville squeak into the eighth playoff spot with 91 points.
The Predators met the President's Trophy winning (and eventual Stanley Cup winners) Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs, and were defeated 4 games to 2 – their fourth straight first round knockout.
2008–09 season
2008–09 Nashville Predators season
The 2008–09 Nashville Predators season began on October 10, 2008. It was the Nashville Predators' 11th season in the National Hockey League.-Pre-season:-Game log:-Playoffs:...
The first off-season of settling in under new ownership was a quiet one for the Predators with little personnel movement. As such, the Predators began the season with little expectation. Following a strong push after the All-Star break and no movement at the trade deadline, the team found themselves still battling for a playoff spot into the last week of the season. Buoyed by the return of Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators....
after almost two seasons recovering from a back injury, the Predators finished with 88 points, settling for 10th place in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
for the first time in five seasons.
2009–10 season
2009–10 Nashville Predators season
The 2009–10 Nashville Predators season is the Nashville Predators' 12th season in the National Hockey League.- Pre-season :- Game log :- Playoffs :-Skaters:...
The Predators made few major additions to their roster in the off-season, signing former San Jose
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
forward Marcel Goc
Marcel Goc
Marcel Goc is a German professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(who was extended for another year by the club in mid-season) and former Montreal
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
defenseman Francis Bouillon
Francis Bouillon
Francis Bouillon is an American professional hockey defenseman for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League. Nicknames in English for Francis include "Cube" or "Soupy" , "Frank the Tank", and "Franky B"...
. The season also saw the much-anticipated debut of top prospect Colin Wilson
Colin Wilson
Colin Henry Wilson is a prolific English writer who first came to prominence as a philosopher and novelist. Wilson has since written widely on true crime, mysticism and other topics. He prefers calling his philosophy new existentialism or phenomenological existentialism.- Early biography:Born and...
; however, due to a groin injury suffered in training camp, Wilson spent the first week and a half of the season on the sidelines, and was sent to Milwaukee
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
in November. He would return to the club in February, scoring eleven points in his next fifteen games, and finishing the season with fifteen points in thirty-five games.
The 2009–10 season was also a breakout year for last pick in the 2005 Draft
2005 NHL Entry Draft
The 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft.As a lockout cancelled the games of the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years...
, Patric Hornqvist
Patric Hörnqvist
Patric Gösta Hörnqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. After scoring just two goals in twenty-eight games last year, the 23-year-old Swede scored thirty in 09-10 becoming the fourth Predator to do so (the others being Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators....
, Paul Kariya
Paul Kariya
Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League . Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St...
and Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
). Hornqvist was often found in front of the net, often drawing comparisons to Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
winger Tomas Holmstrom
Tomas Holmström
Tomas Holmström is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League , where he has won four Stanley Cup championships...
.
Kept afloat by timely goals from Hornqvist and spectacular play by Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne is a Finnish professional hockey goaltender currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
after the Olympic break, the Predators were as high as fifth in the Western Conference standings with just a few games left to play, but finished seventh and drew a first-time playoff opponent: Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
.
The Predators picked up their first-ever away win in the postseason on April 16, when they beat the Blackhawks 4-1 at the United Center
United Center
The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in Chicago. It is named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League...
. The two clubs sparred back and forth, splitting both sets of home games to have the series level at 2-2 heading into the nationally televised Game 5.
Game 5, however, resulted in a loss. Forward Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa
Marián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
hit defender Dan Hamhuis
Dan Hamhuis
Daniel Hamhuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League ....
from behind with 1:03 left in regulation, and the Predators holding a 4-3 advantage. On the ensuing power play, Chicago would get an odd-man rush, allowing Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane
Patrick Timothy Kane, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . The Blackhawks selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Minor and junior:Kane attended the St...
to score and send the game into overtime. In overtime, Hossa scored at the end of his penalty to give the Blackhawks the win. The club lost Game 6 at the Bridgestone Arena by a score of 5-3, and the series by the tally of four games to two. The Predators finished with one of the worst power plays in the postseason, scoring just one goal and going 0-for-21 in the first five games.
2010–11 season
2010–11 Nashville Predators season
The 2010–11 Nashville Predators season was the Nashville Predators' 13th season in the National Hockey League. They were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the playoffs.- Pre-season :...
David Poile traded captain Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
to New Jersey
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for winger Matt Halischuk and a draft pick, and acquired forward Sergei Kostitsyn
Sergei Kostitsyn
Siarhiej Aliehavič Kaścicyn , better known as Sergei Kostitsyn, is a Belarusian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League...
from Montreal
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and former first round pick Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
from Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for impending free agents Dan Hamhuis
Dan Hamhuis
Daniel Hamhuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League ....
, Dustin Boyd
Dustin Boyd
Dustin Boyd is a Canadian professional ice hockey player under contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League.- Playing career :...
and Dan Ellis
Dan Ellis
Daniel Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League...
. The club also signed 1999 second-round draft pick Jonas Andersson and Sodertalje
Södertälje SK
Södertälje Sportklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club playing in HockeyAllsvenskan. Södertälje were charter members of Elitserien when the league was founded in 1975 and have since played 24 seasons in the league...
forward Linus Klasen
Linus Klasen
Linus Klasen is a Swedish ice hockey player, currently playing in the Malmö Redhawks of the HockeyAllsvenskan.-Playing career:...
upon the opening of free agency. The club also confirmed the arrivals of Roman Josi
Roman Josi
Roman Josi is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Josi began playing professionally with Bern in 2006. He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft...
, Anders Lindback
Anders Lindbäck
Anders "The Giant" Lindbäck is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with the Nashville Predators in the NHL.-Playing career:...
and Atte Engren
Atte Engren
Atte Engren is a Finnish professional hockey goaltender. He is currently playing for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League . Engren was drafted as 204th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and signed a two-year entry-level contract on May 28, 2010...
from overseas, and signed its first home-grown talent, Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
-winner and Brentwood
Brentwood, Tennessee
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,445 people, 7,693 households, and 6,808 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,889 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.63% European American, 1.89% African American,...
native Blake Geoffrion
Blake Geoffrion
Blake Geoffrion is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League...
. On July 2, the Predators announced the signing of veteran forward Matthew Lombardi
Matthew Lombardi
Matthew Lombardi is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Matthew Lombardi was born and raised in Montreal. He played hockey for the LaPresqu'ile minor hockey association before playing junior hockey for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major...
to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.
On July 9, the Predators announced that defenseman Shea Weber
Shea Weber
Shea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League . An NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, he is the captain of the Nashville Predators....
would become the club's fifth captain. On September 19, it was announced that defenseman Ryan Suter
Ryan Suter
Ryan Suter is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for and serves as an alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League . He is also an alternate captain of the US Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics...
and forward Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan
Steve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators....
would serve as the team's alternate captains.
The Predators traded forward Michael Santorelli to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a draft pick. The Predators also traded defenseman Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent
Ryan Parent is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and forward Jonas Andersson to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Shane O'Brien and a forward prospect. The club also signed young defensemen Aaron Johnson, Brett Palin
Brett Palin
Brett Palin is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and is currently a member of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League . The Admirals are the AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators' organization of the National Hockey League...
and Grant Lewis
Grant Lewis
Grant Lewis is an professional ice hockey defenseman currently with the Nashville Predators organization of the National Hockey League.-Early life:Lewis, who is Jewish, was born and raised in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania....
. The Predators also signed forward Jamie Lundmark
Jamie Lundmark
Jamie Lundmark is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with Dinamo Riga of the KHL.-Playing career:...
. On February 11, the Predators acquired 4-time 20-goal scoring, 11 year veteran, Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2011 first round draft pick and a 2012 conditional pick. On February 25, the Predators traded defenseman Alexander Sulzer
Alexander Sulzer
Alexander Sulzer is a German professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
to the Florida Panthers for a conditional seventh round draft pick. They also placed forward Wade Belak
Wade Belak
Wade Belak was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
on waivers.
On April 24, 2011, the Nashville Predators celebrated a team milestone, advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in front of another sellout crowd at Bridgestone Arena, winning their first-round series in 6 games. On April 22, 2010, Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was nominated as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.
The Nashville Predators played against the number one ranked team in the NHL in the 2nd round, the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. The Predators lost the series 4-2.
It was a very successful season for the Predators on and off the ice. The Predators racked up 16 regular season sell-outs and an additional 6 sell-outs during the playoffs.
On August 31, 2011, Predators fan favorite and former Toronto Maple Leaf, Florida Panther, Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flame, Wade Belak
Wade Belak
Wade Belak was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
was found dead in a Toronto condo. Belak was one of three NHL enforcers that died that summer. The Predators will wear commemorative decals on their helmets for the 2011-12 season.
On September 7, 2011, a tragedy struck the hockey world as the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator....
hockey team died in a horrific plane crash in Russia. Three members of that team had ties to the Predators. Karlis Skrastins
Karlis Skrastinš
Kārlis Skrastiņš was a Latvian professional ice hockey player. Skrastins was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was on board the team plane which crashed on September 7, 2011...
played for the Predators from 1998 to 2003. Josef Vasicek
Josef Vasicek
Josef Vašíček was a Czech professional ice hockey player. Vasicek last played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and died when the team's aircraft charter crashed on September 7, 2011...
played for the Predators during the 2006-07 season. Robert Dietrich was a Predators prospect who spent his tenure with the Predators playing for their minor league affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
.
2011–12 season
2011–12 Nashville Predators season
The 2011–12 Nashville Predators season will be the club's 14th season in the National Hockey League .-Off-season:On June 22, 2011, the Predators revealed a new team logo, secondary logo and wordmarks...
On June 22, 2011, the Predators unveiled their modified logo set for the 2011-12 season. With the color scheme simplified to blue, gold, and white (eliminating the steel, silver, and orange) the Preds cleaned up their primary logo and wordmark, adding a new alternate logo incorporating elements from a guitar pick and the Tennessee state flag
Flag of Tennessee
The flag of the state of Tennessee consists of an emblem on a field of red, with a strip of blue on the fly. The emblem of the middle consists of three stars on a blue circle. The flag was designed by Colonel LeRoy Reeves of the Tennessee National Guard. The Tennessee State Legislature officially...
.
On November 3rd, 2011, the Predators signed Goaltender Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne is a Finnish professional hockey goaltender currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
to a 7 year, 49 million dollar deal. It was the largest contract awarded in Nashville Predators history as well as making Rinne the highest paid goal tender in the league that year.
Sale of the Predators and rumored move to Hamilton
On May 23, 2007, Craig Leipold was reported to have reached a tentative agreement to sell the team to the Chairman and Co-CEO of Research In MotionResearch In Motion
Research In Motion Limited or RIM is a Canadian multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada that designs, manufactures and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market...
, Jim Balsillie
Jim Balsillie
James Laurence "Jim" Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and co-CEO of the Canadian company Research In Motion. He is a member of the Trilateral Commission, a private political organization...
. At the time, Leipold indicated that the team would play the 2007–08 season in Nashville but that the future of the team after that was not clear. Balsillie had long been rumored to be interested in placing another team in Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
. The deal was expected to be finalized by late-June and had to be finished by June 30, 2007. Despite promising to not do so and in violation of instructions from the league, Balsillie began taking steps toward moving the franchise he didn't yet own. The proposed relocation site was Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. Relocating to Hamilton would almost certainly have required compensation and/or residual rights to be granted to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as they own territorial rights to the region.
The Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
may also have demanded compensation although they are out of the 50 mile territorial zone set by the NHL.
On June 13, again in violation of league directives and improperly using the Predator logo and trademark, it was announced that season ticket deposits for the "Hamilton Predators" would begin to go on sale through Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. is an independent American ticket sales and distribution company based in West Hollywood, California, USA, with operations in many countries around the world. In 2010 it merged with Live Nation to become Live Nation Entertainment...
the next day. A source said Balsillie's objective was to show the league's governors that there is a potential for National Hockey League expansion into Canada's large base of ticket buyers in Southern Ontario.
On June 23, information was leaked by several sources indicating that Leipold no longer wanted to sell the Predators to Basillie. Leipold responded indirectly advising that a deal with Basillie was still possible. Mr. Basillie's lawyer, Richard Rodier, was quoted as saying Craig Leipold's letter to the NHL "changed little if anything" in regards to the pending sale and was a mere formality as part of the sale process. Canadian insiders believed that the information and delay tactics may have been because the league did not want a team to move to Canada, something the NHL denies. Leipold later revealed the true reason: Balsillie had no intent of trying to keep the team in Nashville, had actively interfered with the Predator's relationship with the city of Nashville, and only wanted to buy the team if he could guarantee moving it. Thereafter, Balsillie never abided by the terms originally negotiated with Leipold.
Subsequently, a campaign to land the team in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, reportedly received a boost in late June 2007. The National Post
National Post
The National Post is a Canadian English-language national newspaper based in Don Mills, a district of Toronto. The paper is owned by Postmedia Network Inc. and is published Mondays through Saturdays...
of Canada, citing anonymous sources, reported that Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold plans to sell the team to San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
venture capitalist William "Boots" Del Biaggio, who wanted to relocate the club to Kansas City’s new Sprint Center
Sprint Center
Sprint Center is a large, multi-use indoor arena in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The building is located at 14th Street and Grand Boulevard, on the east side of the Power & Light District...
for the 2008-09 season. Del Biaggio, who has a contract with Anschutz Entertainment Group to own an NHL club in Sprint Center, had made an offer reported to be for about $190 million for the Predators. In 2005, he had an agreement to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the club backed out of the deal after it won the NHL draft lottery and took Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
with the first overall pick. Balsillie’s taking season-ticket deposits in Hamilton while the Predators still have a lease to play in Nashville upset NHL owners and commissioner Gary Bettman and reportedly caused Leipold to have second thoughts about selling to Balsillie. Although a ticket drive in selling corporate suites was underway in Kansas City, it did not include season tickets like Balsillie's move. Later that day, Leipold denied rumours that he was dealing exclusively with Del Biaggio, stating that he is open to all bids and that a deal with Basillie was still possible. Leipold is said to have been incensed that Balsillie was reneging on his promise to not move the Predators and failing to make the required deposit in connection with the offer. The Globe and Mail reported on July 4, 2007, a group of 30 investors became the third party to make a bid to purchase the franchise and keep the team in Nashville.
On July 19, 2007, a group of local business owners known as Our Team Nashville held a rally at the Sommet Center to encourage fans to buy season tickets in order to help the Predators meet the attendance figures needed to keep the team in Nashville. They drew approx 7,500 fans and sold the equivalent of 726 full season tickets during the rally. The rally was heavily supported by George Plaster, a sportscaster on WGFX
WGFX
WGFX is a radio station broadcasting on the FM band at 104.5 MHz licensed to the city of Gallatin, Tennessee, but serving the Nashville market as a whole. It is currently branded as 104.5 The Zone, broadcasting a sports talk format. It is owned by Cumulus Media and operates out of studios on Second...
104.5 "The Zone" sports radio in Nashville.
On August 1, 2007, the group who had intentions to keep the team in Nashville delivered a letter of intent from Craig Leipold. After negotiations with the city of Nashville, the local group headed by David Freeman reached an agreement with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, and the NHL Board of Governors approved the sale on November 29, 2007. The $172 million acquisition of the Nashville Predators included repayment of existing debt of approximately $61 million and $2.2 million in fees and expenses.
The sale of the Predators to the Tennessee-based group was made along with Del Biaggio, who agreed to enter into a partnership with the locally-based buyers. Under the terms of the agreement, Del Biaggio and a minority partner acquired about 27% of the club.
Del Biaggio fraud
In June 2008, Del Biaggio ran into legal trouble over a multitude of unpaid loans, culminating in him filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcyBankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. Furthermore, it is alleged that Del Biaggio acquired the loans he used to buy his stake in the team through fraudulent means, prompting an FBI investigation and criminal charges. The charges ended up culminating in a 97-month prison sentence for Del Biaggio.
Under United States bankruptcy law a trustee was appointed to sell Del Biaggio's assets, including his stake in the Predators to pay off his creditors. One report indicated that, perhaps as a last ditch attempt to avoid bankruptcy Del Biaggio solicited an offer from Balsillie to buy his stake in the team at a "significant premium". That deal was said to have collapsed after the NHL and/or the local group either blocked it outright or at least insisted on the annulment of all concessions given to Del Biaggio prior to any transfer of the stake to Balsillie.
Major North American sports leagues are expected to exercise "due diligence" before allowing anyone to acquire a large stake in a franchise, so Del Biaggio's bankruptcy is considered to be a serious public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
setback for the league. After swindler
Charlatan
A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception....
John Spano
John Spano
John A. Spano, Jr. is a businessman and swindler who briefly bought control of the NHL's New York Islanders in 1997 before he was exposed as a fraud...
had briefly gained control of the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1997, due to insufficient evaluation, the NHL had since vetted prospective owners with Ernst and Young and a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
law firm.
Furthermore, the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings arguably could affect the rights of the league and the other Predators owners to block the sale of Del Biaggio's stake to the highest bidder. Depending on the circumstances, a party could argue that the constitution and by-laws of the NHL could be superseded if a bankruptcy court determined that the league was trying to enforce its rules in a manner detrimental to the creditors' interests, although it is entirely unclear whether such an argument could succeed. Predators' owners disagree completely with this theory.
On February 24, 2009, Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
billionaire W. Brett Wilson
W. Brett Wilson
Brett Wilson is a Canadian entrepreneur, member of the Order of Canada, philanthropist and the lead deal making panellist or "Dragon" of all-time on CBC's Gemini Award-winning Dragons' Den. Wilson was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan...
had entered discussions with Predators majority owner David Freeman with intentions to invest in their third sports franchise together. Wilson confirms that progress has been made in his plans to invest in the team, with a "handshake agreement" but to date, nothing in writing. The long disputed 27 per cent share that belonged to minority shareholder William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III, is expected to be purchased by Wilson, with his eventual share in the Predators to be "nominal".
The Predators have announced that the team turned a profit for both the 2008–09 season and 2009–10 season despite the serious global economic downturn, and attendance exceeded an average of 14,000 paid tickets per game in both years.
In November 2011 it was announced that W. Brett Wilson
W. Brett Wilson
Brett Wilson is a Canadian entrepreneur, member of the Order of Canada, philanthropist and the lead deal making panellist or "Dragon" of all-time on CBC's Gemini Award-winning Dragons' Den. Wilson was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan...
had purchased a 5% interest in the Nashville Predators.
Team information
The team practices at Centennial SportsplexCentennial Sportsplex
Centennial Sportsplex is a multi-use athletic complex in Nashville, Tennessee. The venue is owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and is operated by Metro Parks, the parks and recreation arm of the government....
. For the 2007–08 season, the Predators updated their jerseys with new striping. The logo was left unchanged, and the colors were left unchanged. Nashville was added to the 'away' jerseys above the logo.
Fan traditions
Fans of the Nashville Predators have modified a tradition of the Detroit Red Wings to show their support: on occasion, a fan will throw a catfishCatfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
onto the ice. The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville cites the first instance of this on October 30, 2003. At least four catfish were thrown onto the ice after the first Nashville goal on November 13, 2003.
Section 303 is a section of fans at the Bridgestone Arena colloquially known as "The Cellblock". The group refers to themselves as "the loudest section of the loudest arena in the NHL". The fan-based organization has been recognized by the Predators' front office. A large banner was produced by the front office for posting on the wall behind the section.
On April 3, 2008, with the Predators clinging to a 3-2 lead with 4:30 in their final home game of the regular season, a sellout crowd at the then-Sommet Center gave the team a standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
through the entirety of the final TV timeout
Television timeout
A television timeout , is a break in a televised live event to allow television advertisements to be shown. This has the advantage of allowing the networks to take an advertising break without causing viewers to miss part of the action....
. The Predators went on to win the game against the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
, and advanced to the playoffs that year
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
, where the "standing O" during the final TV timeout has since become a fan tradition.
The mascot of the Predators is Gnash, a blue saber-toothed cat. Introduced in 1998, his trademark includes stunts, such as very fast rappels, zip lines and a pendulum swing that takes him under the scoreboard and just inches off the ice.
To go along with the saber-toothed cat mascot, Predators fans proudly use their “Fang Fingers” during each Power Play of the game (when a penalty is called on the opposing team, leaving them a man down on the ice). There are foam saber-fang gloves you can buy to put over your hands, but most fans simply curl their pointer and middle finger on each hand into fang shapes and brandish them in an up-and-down motion that suggests, “we’re going to sink our teeth into you!” Fang Fingers are done to the horror sounds from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, ‘Psycho.’
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Predators. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Nashville Predators seasonsGP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Records as of April 10, 2011.
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 82 | 51 | 23 | 8 | 110 | 272 | 212 | 2nd, Central | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... ) |
| 2007–08 | 82 | 41 | 32 | 9 | 91 | 227 | 224 | 2nd, Central | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... ) |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
82 | 40 | 34 | 8 | 88 | 207 | 228 | 5th, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
82 | 47 | 29 | 6 | 100 | 225 | 225 | 3rd, Central | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... ) |
| 2010-11 | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | 219 | 194 | 2nd, Central | Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... ) |
Team captains
- Tom Fitzgerald, 1998–2002
- Greg Johnson, 2002–06
- Kimmo TimonenKimmo TimonenKimmo Timonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, 2006–07 - Jason ArnottJason ArnottJason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
, 2007–10 - Shea WeberShea WeberShea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League . An NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, he is the captain of the Nashville Predators....
, 2010-present
Honored members
Hall of Famers: The Predators do not have a Hockey Hall of Fame member from their team.Retired numbers: The Predators have not retired any numbers. However, Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
's number 99 was retired league-wide at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game on February 6, 2000.
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history.Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Predators player
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
| David Legwand David Legwand David Legwand is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League . He attended Grosse Pointe North High School.... * |
C | 768 | 169 | 279 | 448 | .58 |
| Martin Erat Martin Erat Martin Erat is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Career:Erat was selected 191st overall, in the 7th round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft... * |
LW | 616 | 140 | 262 | 402 | .65 |
| Kimmo Timonen Kimmo Timonen Kimmo Timonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
D | 573 | 79 | 222 | 301 | .53 |
| J. P. Dumont | C | 388 | 93 | 174 | 267 | .69 |
| Steve Sullivan Steve Sullivan Steve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators.... |
LW | 317 | 100 | 163 | 263 | .83 |
| Scott Walker | RW | 410 | 96 | 151 | 247 | .60 |
| Greg Johnson | C | 502 | 93 | 145 | 238 | .47 |
| Jason Arnott Jason Arnott Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team... |
C | 275 | 107 | 122 | 229 | .83 |
| C | 301 | 81 | 145 | 226 | .75 | |
| Shea Weber Shea Weber Shea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League . An NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, he is the captain of the Nashville Predators.... * |
D | 402 | 80 | 134 | 214 | .53 |
NHL awards and trophies
Lester Patrick TrophyLester Patrick Trophy
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
- David PoileDavid PoileDavid Poile is the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the NHL's Nashville Predators....
: 2000–01
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
The Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, officially billed as the MBNA/Mastercard Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, is an award in ice hockey given annually to the goaltender who finished the regular season with the best save percentage in the National Hockey League . Only goaltenders who played 25...
- Dan EllisDan EllisDaniel Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League...
: 2007–08
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one...
- Steve SullivanSteve SullivanSteve Sullivan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators....
: 2008–092008–09 NHL seasonThe 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
Franchise individual records
- Most goals in a season: Jason ArnottJason ArnottJason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
, 33 (2008–09) - Most assists in a season: Paul KariyaPaul KariyaPaul Tetsuhiko Kariya is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League . Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St...
, 54 (2005–06) - Most points in a season: Paul KariyaPaul KariyaPaul Tetsuhiko Kariya is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League . Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St...
, 85 (2005–06) - Most penalty minutes in a season: Patrick Cote, 242 (1998–99)
- Most goals in a season, defenseman: Shea WeberShea WeberShea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League . An NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, he is the captain of the Nashville Predators....
, 23 (2008–09) - Most points in a season, defenseman: Kimmo TimonenKimmo TimonenKimmo Timonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, 55 (2006–07) - Most points in a season, rookie: Alexander RadulovAlexander RadulovAlexander Valerievich Radulov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League . Radulov is the KHL's all-time assist leader with 125 career assists...
, 37 (2006–07) - Most wins in a season: Tomas VokounTomas VokounTomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, 36 (2005–06) - Most shutouts in a season: Pekka RinnePekka RinnePekka Rinne is a Finnish professional hockey goaltender currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, 7 (2008–09)