Which former Nashville Predator do you want to see win the Stanley Cup?

by Dirk Hoag on May 15, 2011 6:23 PM EDT in Discussions

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 08: Scott Nichol #21 of the San Jose Sharks and Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks go for the puck at HP Pavilion on April 8, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

With the Conference Finals getting underway this weekend, fans of the Nashville Predators will recognize some familiar faces battling for the Clarence Campbell Bowl and the Prince of Wales Trophy, along of course with the chance to compete for the Stanley Cup in two weeks' time. In fact, each of the remaining teams boasts a former Predator in the lineup, offering a bit of an interesting question for Preds fans - which former member of the team are you rooting for to hoist the Cup in June?

Let's take a look at the candidates...

Adam Hall

#18 / Right Wing / Tampa Bay Lightning

Height: 6-3

Weight: 213

Born: Aug 14, 1980

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2010 - Adam Hall	82	7	11	18	-12	32	0	0	1		167	4.2

He's been a long time gone, having left Nashville in a trade almost five years ago, but Hall remains a popular figure with some Preds fans (notably, after scoring 16, 13, and 14 goals for the Preds from 2002-6, he hasn't hit double-digits since). Now on his 5th NHL team in Tampa Bay, he's got a 2nd chance at the Stanley Cup after his run with the Pittsburgh Penguins fell just short in 2008, when they lost to Detroit in 7 games.

Dan Hamhuis

#2 / Defenseman / Vancouver Canucks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 209

Born: Dec 13, 1982

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2010 - Dan Hamhuis	64	6	17	23	29	34	2	0	1		109	5.5

A certified graduate of Nashville's NHL Defenseman Factory, Hammer went home to B.C. as an unrestricted free agent and delivered the goods, with a steady performance that landed atop one list as the league's top defensive blueliner. During the playoffs, his pairing with Kevin Bieksa was outstanding against the Predators, effectively retrieving dump-ins and getting the Canucks rolling back through the neutral zone.

Scott Nichol

#21 / Center / San Jose Sharks

Height: 5-9

Weight: 180

Born: Dec 31, 1974

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2010 - Scott Nichol	56	4	3	7	-3	50	0	0	0		61	6.6

As big a "heart and soul" character as you'll find in the National Hockey League, Scotty Nichol's popularity far exceeds his diminutive stature. I'll never forget the time after the Preds were done with the regular season in 2009 (just missing the playoffs), he was out on the ice just a couple days later at the youth hockey clinic in Cool Springs that my son was attending. There was no "official appearance by Scott Nichol" or anything associated with it, he was just getting out there helping kids learn the game. The smile that put on my son's face, to take passes and score a goal from a real NHL player, was simply priceless.

Rich Peverley

#49 / Center / Boston Bruins

Height: 6-0

Weight: 195

Born: Jul 08, 1982

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2010 - Rich Peverley	82	18	23	41	-17	37	6	2	3		201	9.0

When Rich Peverley was lost to through waivers in January 2009, it was like watching somebody else pick up a $20 bill that you dropped on the sidewalk. After failing to produce offensively with the Preds (often, it could be said, due to the linemates he was placed with), Pevs lit up the scoreboard with the Atlanta Thrashers, popping along at nearly a point-per-game pace through the rest of that season.

He was traded from Atlanta to Boston earlier this year as part of a salary shuffle to help the Bruins land defenseman Tomas Kaberle, but only put up four goals and three assists in 23 games to finish the regular season. During the playoffs, he's chipped in a goal and six assists through 12 games.

Poll

Which former Nashville Predator do you most want to see win the Stanley Cup?

Adam Hall, Tampa Bay Lightning

88 votes

Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks

61 votes

Scott Nichol, San Jose Sharks

81 votes

Rich Peverley, Boston Bruins

30 votes

260 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Adam Hall

Adam Hall is one of my favorite Preds of all time. I never understood why they dumped him.

by lethargic on May 15, 2011 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

I just can't want Vancouver to win

Too be honest, I want Vancouver’s delusional world to come crashing down in an agony that the current fan’s grandchildren will feel 50 years after they are born…but maybe that’s just me.

I’m going with Hall…although Nichol would be my second choice.

by TitanPredBearFan on May 15, 2011 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Tough question

As a team, I would prefer Tampa Bay and Hall. As a former Preds player, I would pick Hamhuis. All were quality players on and off the ice while with Nashville though, so good luck to them all.

by VApreds on May 15, 2011 6:49 PM EDT reply actions

Scotty Nichol

This Predator loved Nashville and retained his home in Williamson County long after leaving for the Bay Area.
He even raised funds at HP Pavilion for flood relief after last year’s deluge here.

by Hockey Hillbilly on May 15, 2011 6:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I'll go with Hammer......

Though I’m not sure which of the remaining 4 teams I want to win it all. Roloson winning a Cup at 41 years old would be a neat story though.

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 7:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Scotty Nichol

is a player that plays with fire in his heart, and vengeance in his soul. I remember going to a pre-season try out and there were some players that weren’t going to make the team, but they were there. One of them really got on his nerves… and he fought him in practice! I was amazed that that could happen, but he had definite ideas of what was allowed, and what wasn’t and woe to you if you crossed his line. A force in the locker room, a gel for his team. Listening to the San Jose Shark broadcasts, they really respect Nichol as a valued member of their team. The Predators did as well, and I wish him all the luck. Spunky little spitfire.

by cherney on May 15, 2011 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

Also known as the little ball of hate! :D

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 7:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

anybody but Hamhuis would be fine

Hamhuis is the only player I know of who ripped on Nashville and the fans after leaving. Couple that with all the cheap shots he was throwing after the whistle during the series and his holdout and I’m shocked anybody could pull for that guy to win anything. Vancouver is the team I’d like to see win it but I can’t cheer for them as long as they have Hamhuis on the team.

by lethargic on May 15, 2011 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

I’d rather see the current Preds win it! but I agree with lethargic, anybody but Hamhuis

I'm sent here by the chosen one

by Creeping Death on May 15, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

You can see why Peverly isn’t here anymore, only was a big scorer on the one line at Atlanta, and a -17. Not a Trotzy favorite if you’re that much of a defensive liability.

I just want Tampa Bay to win. Though I liked Nichol a lot, hey he even scored a goal for us this year!

"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"

by DonBorvio on May 15, 2011 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

Seems like 31 people so far had mouse malfunctions and accidentally chose Hamhuis.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts--for support rather than
illumination."

by Smashvillain on May 15, 2011 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Or maybe not. :)

by Grizzledbear on May 15, 2011 11:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Dan Hamhuis is from my hometown, and his work around the community of Smithers, Vancouver and Nashville are second to none. When he went to Nashville earlier this year but couldn’t play because of a concussion, he went to visit his ‘little brother’ that he was paired up with when he was playing with Nashville. The guy has a huge heart. Yes I know I’m biased, but from that standpoint alone I think it would be nice.

by Josh Dykstra on May 16, 2011 5:05 AM EDT up reply actions