2007 Nashville Predators

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Detroit Red Wings, winners of the 2008 Stanley Cup, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Nashville Predators for the fantastic season they had, finishing 2nd in the always difficult Central Division!

The Preds earned 91 points this season, good for a second-place finish in the NHL Central Division and a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont made a powerful 1-2 punch that drove opponents crazy all season long. The Nashville Predators’ early season news, though, was dominated with concerns about ownership. Potential new owner Jim Balsillie scared Nashville fans with a plan that may have moved the Predators to Hamilton, Ontario. Thankfully for the Nashville faithful, the Balsillie deal was terminated, and the Predators were purchased by a local ownership group in November. With business-as-usual at the Sommet Center, the Predators remain a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

The Nashville Predators finished the 2006-07 season a respectable 2nd place in the Central Division, but the pressure is on to really step it up in the 2007-08 season if the team wants to stay in Nashville. Though the off season brought several additions (Jed Ortmeyer, C Radek Bonk, Greg de Vries and Martin Gelinas), the team’s performance will largely depend on three key players: Chris Mason, Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov. Will head coach Barry Trotz have what it takes to get the job done? Hopes are high, but the team needs your support now more than ever. Get your tickets to Sommet Center and cheer the Nashville Predators all the way to the 2007-2008 playoffs!

On June 25, 1997, the Predators joined the NHL when the league announced that four cities had been awarded expansion franchises: Nashville; Atlanta, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Businessman Craig Leipold is the majority owner of the Predators and serves as the team's chairman and chief executive officer. Davie Poile, former general manager of the Washington Capitals, is the team's general manager.

Barry Trotz is the Predators' head coach. Trotz coached the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL) to the Calder Cup during the 1994-95 season. That same year he was named AHL coach of the year. The Predators played their first season in 1998-99. Trotz led the team to a 28-47-7 win-loss-tie record.

The Predators first took the ice on October 10, 1998, where they lost 1-0 at home to the Florida Panthers. The Nashville Predators play their home games at the Sommet Center, formerly the Gaylord Entertainment Center, which is also home to special events as well as concerts.