Feb 25, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) battle for the puck during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Sep 25, 2017
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
BY JARED CLINTON
FOR THOSE WHO have only followed the Predators from afar, there will be some names among the franchise’s 50 greatest players that require brain-racking to recall, but that’s the beauty of this exercise for a team that’s only two decades old. Those players from the expansion years – the ones who wouldn’t make the top 500, let alone top 50, for Original Six teams – demonstrate the growth the Predators’ franchise has seen from its inception to its status as a contender better than it will for a team with a long, storied history. It allows those who are catching up on the Preds to understand the brilliance of what Nashville has built.
1 SHEA WEBER
POS | D YEARS | 2005-16 GP | 763 G | 166 A | 277 P | 443
EVERY FRANCHISE HAS the one player who comes along to help establish the team as a legitimate competitor. That’s what Weber was in Nashville.
In Weber’s early years as a Predator, he began to show flashes of the greatness that would come later. But it was his third season where it became evident the Preds had found the cornerstone of the organization. By that time, he had all the makings of a perennial Norris Trophy contender and a legitimate franchise-altering defenseman. Weber was feared equally offensively and defensively, his seemingly sound barrier-breaking blasts from the point victimizing goaltenders, and his bone-crunching checks leaving opposing forwards in heaps.
As Weber’s on-ice success grew, so did that of the Predators. In his first full season, Nashville set a franchise record for wins and proceeded to win at least 40 games in each of the next five seasons, all the while Weber earned himself two second-place finishes in Norris voting and four end-of-season all-star team nods.
2 PEKKA RINNE
POS | G YEARS | 2006-PRESENT RECORD | 269-155-62 GAA | 2.38 SP | .917
BUILDING A FRANCHISE from the back end out, as the Predators have done since Day 1, only works if the last line of defense is in place. And as long as Rinne has been around, Nashville has had rock-solid goaltending.
When the towering 6-foot-5 netminder with the NHL’s best glove hand is on his game, there are few better. He debuted as a Calder Trophy contender, was a two-time Vezina Trophy finalist by his fourth year and backstopped the Preds to their first Cup final while putting his name in the running for the Conn Smythe. Rinne has been the goalie face of the franchise from the moment he stepped foot in the crease. He has earned his place in the pantheon as the team’s all-time net leader in games played, wins and shutouts.
3 RYAN SUTER
POS | D YEARS | 2005-12 GP | 542 G | 38 A | 200 P | 238
SOME DEFENSEMEN MAKE their name with offense. Others make it with physicality. Then there are those whose defensive prowess or leadership puts them above the rest. For Suter, the veritable Swiss Army Knife of defenders, becoming a star was based on doing everything and doing it well.
Offensively, Suter was consistent, even providing some punch on the power play. But defensively, Suter was the most reliable blueliner the Predators had. He logged hard minutes against top competition on a nightly basis, seemingly tireless in his efforts, and was fearless in his defending, blocking shots with regularity. It didn’t matter the situation. Whatever the Preds needed, they knew they could throw Suter over the boards.
4 KIMMO TIMONEN
POS | D YEARS | 1998-2007 GP | 573 G | 79 A | 222 P | 301
Timonen was living proof that skill trumps size. His mind for the game was excellent, making him a great playmaker from the blueline. He could create odd-man rushes with his speed and made up for his small frame with gumption.
5 DAVID LEGWAND
POS | C YEARS | 1998-2014 GP | 956 G | 210 A | 356 P | 566
The first and highest pick in franchise history (No. 2 overall in 1998), Legwand is the Predators’ all-time leader in games and points. He wasn’t the type to score pretty goals, but his physical play and desire to win made him irreplaceable.
6 TOMAS VOKOUN
POS | G YEARS | 1998-2007 RECORD | 161-159-46 GAA | 2.54 SP | .913
It took four seasons for the Preds to realize what they had in Vokoun. Once he settled in, though, he became the backbone of Nashville’s defensive style. Vokoun earned Vezina consideration and propelled the team to its first playoff berth.
7 ROMAN JOSI
POS | D YEARS | 2011-PRESENT GP | 406 G | 64 A | 175 P | 239
Big-minute two-way rearguard criminally underrated early on but starting to get recognition and heavy praise.
8 MARTIN ERAT
POS | RW YEARS | 2001-13 GP | 723 G | 163 A | 318 P | 481
Weaponized his speed to terrorize defenders. Had eight seasons with 49-plus points. Second in all-time points.
9 DAN HAMHUIS
POS | D YEARS | 2003-10 GP | 483 G | 32 A | 129 P | 161
Smooth skater burst onto scene as a toppairing blueliner but never got the credit he deserved league-wide.
10 STEVE SULLIVAN
POS | RW YEARS | 2004-11 GP | 317 G | 100 A | 163 P | 263
Diminutive speedster and worker bee. Piled up 31 goals, 68 points in first full season before injury bug began biting.
11 MIKE FISHER
POS | C YEARS | 2011-17 GP | 413 G | 109 A | 128 P | 237
Defense-minded pivot gave everything to his teammates and fans. A true leader, he was a calming influence.
12 J-P DUMONT
POS | RW YEARS | 2006-11 GP | 388 G | 93 A | 174 P | 267
Pure scorer had his three best seasons as a Pred and was the team’s highest scorer across his five-year swath.
13 SCOTT WALKER
POS | RW YEARS | 1998-2006 GP | 410 G | 96 A | 151 P | 247
Expansion draft claim was a mainstay for seven seasons and beloved for his work ethic. Flourished in a top-six role.
14 JASON ARNOTT
POS | C YEARS | 2006-10 GP | 275 G | 107 A | 122 P | 229
Big body and soft hands allowed him to rack up points. Set team record with 33 goals and served as captain.
15 MATTIAS EKHOLM
POS | D YEARS | 2012-PRESENT GP | 309 G | 19 A | 66 P | 85
Understated play and modest production, but his reliability (and edge) helps defense run like a well-oiled machine.
16 SCOTT HARTNELL
POS | LW YEARS | 2000-07, 2017-PRESENT GP | 436 G | 93 A | 118 P | 211
Power winger can frustrate opposition with physical play or point production. Had a nose for the net in his prime.
17 GREG JOHNSON
POS | C YEARS | 1998-2006 GP | 502 G | 93 A | 145 P | 238
Not the most natural scorer, but outskated and outsmarted opponents. Led by example, earning captaincy.
18 PAUL KARIYA
POS | LW YEARS | 2005-07 GP | 164 G | 55 A | 106 P | 161
Nashville’s first true superstar signing set the scoresheet ablaze with Hall of Fame combination of speed and skill.
19 FILIP FORSBERG
POS | C YEARS | 2013-PRESENT GP | 264 G | 91 A | 100 P | 191
The pinpoint accuracy and wicked release of a natural goal-scorer. Greatest trade acquisition in franchise history.
20 PATRIC HORNQVIST
POS | RW YEARS | 2008-14 GP | 363 G | 106 A | 110 P | 216
Competitive fire made him a nuisance to play against. Four-time 20-goal man was a steal with last pick in 2005 draft.
21 CLIFF RONNING
POS | C YEARS | 1998-2002 GP | 301 G | 81 A | 145 P | 226
Brought aboard early in inaugural season for his leadership, but his offensive ability made him the top scorer.
22 RYAN ELLIS
POS | D YEARS | 2011-PRESENT GP | 352 G | 46 A | 95 P | 141
A testament to skill over size, every aspect of the wee D-man’s game is underrated. His shot is a nightmare.
23 MAREK ZIDLICKY
POS | D YEARS | 2003-08 GP | 307 G | 35 A | 140 P | 175
Didn’t arrive in NHL until he was 26. Offensive acumen made him a power play specialist. Got Norris votes.
24 MIKE DUNHAM
POS | G YEARS | 1998-2002 RECORD | 81-104-24 GAA | 2.72 SP | .910
Took the reins as Nashville’s starting netminder in his third campaign and had all of his best seasons as a Pred.
25 COLIN WILSON
POS | C YEARS | 2009-17 GP | 502 G | 95 A | 142 P | 237
Inconsistent forward came alive in the playoffs. He had a spectacular pointper- game run in 2016 post-season.
26 CRAIG SMITH
C, 2011-present; 437-98-112-210
Speed, shot key to becoming 20-goal man
27 KEVIN KLEIN
D, 2005-14; 403-16-66-82
Heart-and-soul defender showed no fear
28 JAMES NEAL
LW, 2014-17; 219-77-59-136
Power forward gave Preds a triggerman
29 JORDIN TOOTOO
RW, 2003-12; 486-46-79-125
Fiery, smashmouth play made him fan fave
30 KARLIS SKRASTINS
D, 1999-2003; 307-13-41-54
Earned top-pairing minutes early on
31 MIKE RIBEIRO
C, 2014-17; 209-26-111-137
Turned show-me deals into 50-point years
32 VERNON FIDDLER
C, 2002-09, 2017; 325-46-48-94
Developed into reliable defensive center
33 JERRED SMITHSON
C, 2005-12; 497-36-50-86
Undrafted pivot a supreme ham-and-egger
34 TOM FITZGERALD
RW, 1998-2002; 307-42-46-88
Preds’ first captain set tone in early days
35 PATRIC KJELLBERG
RW, 1998-2001; 246-49-77-126
Late-bloomer was second 20-goal scorer
36 RYAN JOHANSEN
C, 2016-present; 124-22-73-95
Brought playmaking prowess to first line
37 VITALI YACHMENEV
LW, 1998-2003; 338-54-76-130
Franchise original had two-way talent
38 BILL HOULDER
D, 1999-2003; 302-8-36-44
Waiver claim relied upon as top-four D-man
39 ALEXANDER RADULOV
RW, 2007-08, 2012; 154-47-55-102
On the cusp of stardom before departure
40 SETH JONES
D, 2013-16; 199-15-48-63
Massive potential made trade a shocker
41 PAUL GAUSTAD
C, 2012-16; 248-18-32-50
Ace faceoff man foundation of fourth line
42 NICK SPALING
C, 2009-14; 297-40-44-84
Tight-checking center could score, too
43 CHRIS MASON
G, 1999-2008, 2013; 59-50-13, 2.68, .910
Had .925 SP in 40 GP during breakout year
44 JOEL WARD
RW, 2008-11; 230-40-58-98
Determined winger made every shift count
45 DENIS ARKHIPOV
C, 2001-04; 273-46-65-111
Rangy Russian was consistent offensively
46 SERGEI KOSTITSYN
LW, 2010-13; 198-43-65-108
Sharpshooter was a threat when left alone
47 CALLE JARNKROK
C, 2014-present; 248-40-48-88
Dangerous middle-sixer has hidden skill
48 MARK EATON
D, 2001-06; 286-15-30-45
Offered stability, durability to blueline
49 DRAKE BEREHOWSKY
D, 1998-2001; 219-20-53-73
Team’s defensive anchor in early years
50 ANDY DELMORE
D, 2001-03; 144-34-38-72
Booming shot was lethal on power play.