Announcing the All-Time Nashville Predators Team

by Dirk Hoag on Aug 21, 2009 11:21 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

Having completed 10 full NHL seasons it seems an appropriate time to look back on how the Nashville Predators have fared so far. This week, we've gathered together a list of nominees and narrowed them down to the best of the best in the franchise's short, but definitely interesting, history.

Following the initial years of slow but steady progress and an initial playoff appearance in 2004, the Preds appeared to be ready for a major breakthrough with a 2006-7 team that challenged for the Central Division title and the Presidents Trophy, before injuries and a first-round upset loss to San Jose ended that run. The unexpected bump in the road was the franchise sale by Craig Leipold, which resulted in a salary dump that saw tremendous talent walk out the door for little in return. Now, a new team has emerged from those ashes as the second generation of home-grown talent emerges (led by Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Pekka Rinne among others). Where the road goes from here is uncertain, but this makes a suitable point to celebrate the team's greatest players.

Now, after six polls and over 800 votes, the readers here at OtF have spoken. So, without further ado, here are your All-Time Nashville Predators...

Goaltender - Tomas Vokoun

An easy favorite in this category (with 88% of the vote), Vokoun was the franchise's first true star, and continues to be a dominant performer in Florida. Perhaps a few years down the road Pekka Rinne might have a chance at rivaling Vokoun's body of work in the Nashville net, but Tomas has set the bar awfully high.

Tomas Vokoun

#29 / Goalie

Height: 6-0

Weight: 195

Born: Jul 02, 1976

Year	Team	GP	MIN	W	L	OTL	GA	GAA	SV%	SO
1999	Predators	33	1879	9	20	0	87	2.78	.904	1
2000	Predators	37	2088	13	17	0	85	2.44	.910	2
2001	Predators	29	1471	5	14	0	66	2.69	.903	2
2002	Predators	69	3974	25	31	0	146	2.20	.918	3
2003	Predators	73	4221	34	29	0	178	2.53	.909	3
2005	Predators	61	3601	36	18	7	160	2.67	.919	4
2006	Predators	44	2601	27	12	4	104	2.40	.920	5

Defense - Kimmo Timonen

Another "slam dunk" pick, Timonen represented Nashville at the 2004 and 2007 All-Star Games, and was the third captain in the team's history.

Kimmo Timonen

#44 / Defenseman

Height: 5-10

Weight: 194

Born: Mar 18, 1975

Year	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SOG
1998	Predators	50	4	8	12	-4	30	1	75
1999	Predators	51	8	25	33	-5	26	2	97
2000	Predators	82	12	13	25	-6	50	6	151
2001	Predators	82	13	29	42	+2	28	9	154
2002	Predators	72	6	34	40	-3	46	4	144
2003	Predators	77	12	32	44	-7	52	8	180
2005	Predators	79	11	39	50	-3	74	8	156
2006	Predators	80	13	42	55	+20	42	8	121

Defense - Shea Weber

Last season Weber recovered from an injury-riddled 2007-8 campaign and developed into the Norris Trophy candidate that Nashville fans had been hoping for. With an expected spot on the Canadian Olympic team coming soon, and the slow decline of aging stars like Scott Niedermayer and Niklas Lidstrom, will Shea Weber claim the title of best defenseman in the Western Conference this season?

Shea Weber

#6 / Defenseman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 213

Born: Aug 14, 1985

Year	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SOG
2005	Predators	28	2	8	10	+8	42	2	46
2006	Predators	79	17	23	40	+13	60	6	152
2007	Predators	54	6	14	20	-6	49	5	152
2008	Predators	81	23	30	53	+1	80	10	251

Winger - Steve Sullivan

The first NHL Award recipient in team history, Sully's Masterton Trophy-winning comeback from serious back injury is just one chapter in what has been an exciting run with the Predators, which started with a hat trick in his very first game for Nashville. Here's to hoping that the fun is just beginning.

Steve Sullivan

#26 / Left Wing

Height: 5-9

Weight: 165

Born: Jul 06, 1974

Year	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SOG
2003	Predators	24	9	21	30	+8	12	7	78
2005	Predators	69	31	37	68	+2	50	13	192
2006	Predators	57	22	38	60	+16	20	6	122
2008	Predators	41	11	21	32	+2	30	3	83

Winger - Scott Walker

In the closest race among all the polls, Scott Walker edged Paul Kariya by a mere 7 votes. While his numbers may not have been scintillating, his attitude endeared him to the fans. Read his scouting report for a sample of what he brings to a team, and match that up with "the Predator Way."

Has tremendous heart and leadership qualities. Is an excellent teammate. Can score, kill penalties and even fight if the need arises.

Scott Walker

#24 / Right Wing

Height: 5-10

Weight: 196

Born: Jul 19, 1973

Year	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SOG
1998	Predators	71	15	25	40	0	103	0	96
1999	Predators	69	7	21	28	-16	90	0	98
2000	Predators	74	25	29	54	-2	66	9	159
2001	Predators	28	4	5	9	-13	18	1	46
2002	Predators	60	15	18	33	+2	58	7	124
2003	Predators	75	25	42	67	+4	94	9	157
2005	Predators	33	5	11	16	+2	36	1	57

Center - Jason Arnott

Having been the #2 center on a number of very good teams before coming to Nashville, Arnott has assumed the top job with the Predators and thrived, tying his career high for goals last season. The current captain looks forward to perhaps topping that mark now that he has a healthy Steve Sullivan to complement his line with J.P. Dumont. He edged out David Legwand and Cliff Ronning to in a relatively tight 3-way race to make the cut.

Jason Arnott

#19 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-4

Weight: 220

Born: Oct 11, 1974

Year	Team	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SOG
2006	Predators	68	27	27	54	+15	48	12	190
2007	Predators	79	28	44	72	+19	54	13	248
2008	Predators	65	33	24	57	+2	49	9	196

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all of you who participated in the nomination and voting process!

UPDATE: By popular request, we've added an enforcer to the lineup...

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Comments

there's something about Arnott . . .

that keeps the list from being a grand slam for me.

by HartnellsMop on Aug 21, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I should post the “2 goals in 9 seconds” video… certainly an amazing moment in team history.

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 21, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great idea to create this list, Dirk. Arnott is a good player and deserves to be on this list. I second-guessed the choice for a second, too, but I think it’s because the Preds have never had a World-class center on their roster. I don’t mean to malign Arnott by saying that; I just mean that he isn’t Lemieux or Crosby.

by robrobinson on Aug 24, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Arnott’s an interesting case, because he was a strong 2nd-line center on a number of very good teams in New Jersey and Dallas over the years, so he’s never had the rep as a #1 guy until coming to Nashville. All told, however, I think he’s a legit #1 guy, and while I might not put him in the Top 10 centers in the NHL, he’s in the next handful of guys after that list, which makes Nashville a lot better off than a number of teams.

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 24, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's funny that you say that

just two days ago, i re-watched that 9-seconds on the YouTubes and sent the link to various Preds fans who are dying for October. perhaps it was something on here that led me to it. i can’t remember. . . . and i almost typed that i prefer Leggy there, but erased it so i wouldn’t be labeled an idiot.

by HartnellsMop on Aug 21, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs