2008 Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators ended the 2007-08 season second in the Central Division for the second season in a row. Head coach Barry Trotz didn’t feel the need for a lot of off-season moves, saying that he believes in his players, their development and their ability to “play a team game”. The Preds’ have plenty of young talent in players like Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones (even though they haven’t yet played an NHL game) and rising stars Alexander Sulzer and Cody Franson. Their defense is strong, with fresh, dynamic players Dan Hamhuis, Ville Koistinen, Ryan Suter, and Shea Weber as the headliners. As a team with a lot of strong players that has the kind of cohesiveness other teams only dream of, the Predators are entering the 2008-09 season optimistic about their chances of going deep into the playoffs. Everyone will want tickets to Sommet Center to see this exciting team on the ice, so get yours today!

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.