Announcing the All-Time Nashville Predators Team

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.

---

---

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.

---

---

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?

---

---

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.

---

---

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.

---

---

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.

---

---

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...