A call for nominations: your All-Time Nashville Predators Team

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 12, 2009 11:57 PM EDT

With 10 complete seasons in the books, this summer makes a fitting time to reflect on the history of the Nashville Predators. Towards that end, I am opening the floor for nominations for an All-Time Nashville Predators Team, to recognize the outstanding players in this franchise's history. The criteria here are of your own choosing. Feel free to cite statistics, recall pivotal moments in the history of the team, or personal observations that make your candidate stand out from the rest.

Next week, the nominees will be organized into polls which will then determine the lineup...

Centers

There are a number of contenders here, from the Original Predator David Legwand (who leads the franchise in Games Played, Goals, Assists, and Points) to current captain Jason Arnott, and previous stalwarts like Greg Johnson (who led the team to its first playoff appearance) or Cliff Ronning.

Wingers (2)

Do you like the modern offensive stars like Martin Erat, Steve Sullivan and J.P. Dumont, or pluggers like Scott Walker? How about the original captain of the Predators, Tom Fitzgerald?

Defensemen (2)

While Shea Weber and Kimmo Timonen are likely favorites here, Ryan Suter has also developed into an elite performer, and before him you had Andy Delmore popping in goals from the blueline.

Goaltenders

Tomas Vokoun made the All-Star Game as a Nashville Predator, but Mike Dunham had his fans as well, and Pekka Rinne stands ready to assume the mantle in goal. Chris Mason and Dan Ellis rose to the occasion and saved the team's season in 2007 and 2008 respectively, so I'm sure they'll garner some support as well.

So I ask you, Predators fans - in the comments below, or through your own FanPost, submit your nominations for the All-Time Nashville Predators Team!

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All time Preds team

Center- Arnott- productive, no messing around.

Wingers-
Tom Fitzgerald- not the most talented, but worked every shift, every night.
Paul Karyia- hated the way he left, but he was a joy to watch. I also liked the reaction around the league when he signed with us. Nashville? Karyia?? Wow!!

D-Men- (This one is simple)
Timonen
Weber

Goal Tender-
Vokun- The gold standard (for now) to measure all Preds goalies.

by Pred2Win on Aug 13, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent choices

Can’t believe I overlooked Kariya in the post above, good catch!

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 13, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to OTF!

FOREVER #9

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Aug 13, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Does class count?

Or is it just a question of performance? If we’re evaluating both character and talent, then Kimmo Timonen heads my list. But then I still miss Cliff Ronning. For the Predators’ first four years he was both a scorer and a mentor.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Aug 13, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Make your case however you like!

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 13, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

The Team

David Legwand (The Face of the Franchise since pretty much day one)
Scott Walker (The Leading Scorer while he was here; the apex of the “lunch pail” work ethic of the team)
Steve Sullivan (The team’s one and only Award winner, and always a threat to score when healthy)
Kimmo Timonen (The all-time leader in games played by a defenseman)
Shea Weber (The future of the franchise, and the hardest shot in team history)
Tomas Vokoun (The man whose career was changed by a trade – and he carried the team on his back)

"Character is what you are in the Dark." - D.L. Moody

by jwhouk on Aug 13, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

• Center – David Legwand
• WIngers – Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan
• Defense – Shea Weber and Kimmo Timonen
• Goalie – Tomas Vokoun

FOREVER #9

Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Aug 13, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Center: Arnott
Wingers: Sullivan, Kariya
Defense: Timonen, Weber
Goal: Vokoun
Special mention:Bubba Berenzweig, 12/29/01

by Hockey Hillbilly on Aug 13, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Center: Beech
Wings: Brunette, McKenzie
D: Witt, Houlder, Heward
G: none – this squad won’t need one

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Aug 13, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

The Rat

i strongly nominate cliff ronning. he was THE 1ST offensive weapon we ever had. great set up man and scored as well. a number of ( at the time) huge game winning goals. the 1st was 11/19/99 against the blues w/ 39 seconds left after trailing most of the night. another was a puck thrown toward the net( in ot i think) for a win at the joe. he was the offensive reason we were competitive those first few seasons.

by predswilrule on Aug 13, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

all-time team

Center – Arnott
Wingers – Kariya and Sully
Defensemen – Timonen and Weber
Goaltender – Vokoun

by LuvthePreds on Aug 13, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Split Personality

I broke down the picks between he first five years and then the playoff years and after. It’s hard to compare the two eras, the second group would take it all except for Timonen.

Early: Ronning, Walker, Fitzgerald, Timonen, Skrastins, Dunham (Hon. Mention: Houlder for consistency of being slow of feet)

Later: Kariya, Sully, Arnott, Weber, Suter (Hammer better earlier), Vokoun (Hon. Mention: Erat, Legwand,

Buddy Oakes

by PredsOnTheGlass on Aug 14, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions