Nashville Predators Overview
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1998, the Predators have played their home games at Bridgestone Arena since their inaugural season. The team has captured one Presidents’ Trophy, two Central Division titles, and one Western Conference championship, and reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
Roman Josi serves as team captain, with Andrew Brunette as head coach and Barry Trotz as general manager. The Predators are owned by Bill Haslam as majority owner and remain one of only two professional sports teams in Tennessee that have not relocated to the state. Their mascot, Gnash, is an anthropomorphic saber-toothed cat inspired by a fossil discovered beneath downtown Nashville.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The campaign to bring the NHL to Nashville began in late 1995, when rumors suggested the New Jersey Devils could relocate to a planned Nashville arena. After Nashville offered a relocation bonus and the Devils ultimately stayed in New Jersey, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated the city would be considered for expansion. In January 1997, a group led by Wisconsin businessman Craig Leipold formally presented an expansion franchise request before the NHL.
In June 1997, the league granted conditional franchises to Nashville, Columbus, Atlanta, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Nashville was the only city with a completed arena and met the requirement of selling 12,000 season tickets before March 31, 1998. Leipold named former Washington Capitals general manager David Poile as the franchise’s first general manager on July 9, 1997, and Portland Pirates head coach Barry Trotz was named the first head coach on August 6, 1997.
The franchise unveiled its logo, a saber-toothed cat, on September 25, 1997, referencing a Smilodon skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971. A fan vote ultimately selected the name Predators, an addition made by Leipold himself to the original list of finalists. When awarded the franchise, the city of Nashville paid 31.5 percent of the $80 million expansion fee.
Growth Into NHL Competition
The Predators began play during the 1998-99 season, taking the ice for the first time on October 10, 1998, with a 1-0 home loss to the Florida Panthers. Three nights later, they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 for their first victory. Through the 2003-04 season, the Predators qualified for their first Stanley Cup playoffs, finishing eighth in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in six games.
Following the 2004-05 lockout, the Predators signed free agent Paul Kariya and opened the 2005-06 season with an 8-0 start. They finished with 106 points, their first 100-point season and the NHL’s best home record at 32-8-1. In subsequent seasons, the Predators earned a franchise-record 110 points in 2006-07 and reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 2011. Shea Weber was named the fifth captain on July 9, 2010.
Nashville Predators Competitive Journey
From expansion franchise to Western Conference champion, the Nashville Predators have progressed steadily across NHL competition. Their journey includes multiple playoff appearances, division titles, a Presidents’ Trophy, and a run to the Stanley Cup Final, supported by a stable ownership base in Nashville and a roster built largely through the draft.
Early Seasons and Development (1998-2013)
During their first seasons, the Predators worked to establish themselves in a competitive Western Conference, finishing near the bottom of the standings in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. To begin the 2000-01 season, the team played two games at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking the largest crowds ever to attend a hockey game in Japan. By the 2003-04 season, the Predators had reached the postseason for the first time.
After the lockout, the Predators strengthened their roster through free-agent signings and key acquisitions, including Jason Arnott in 2006 and Peter Forsberg in 2007. Pekka Rinne became the franchise’s starting goaltender and was signed to a seven-year, $49 million contract in November 2011, the largest in team history at that time. The Predators won their first playoff series in 2011 against the Anaheim Ducks, advancing to the second round.
Breakthrough to the Stanley Cup Final (2014-2017)
Following the 2013-14 season, the Predators parted ways with longtime head coach Barry Trotz and hired Peter Laviolette on May 6, 2014. During the 2016 off-season, the Predators traded Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman P.K. Subban and named Mike Fisher as the sixth captain of the club on September 7, 2016. Sean Henry was named CEO during this period.
In the 2016-17 season, the Predators swept the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, the first time an eighth seed had swept a top seed in a best-of-seven series in major North American professional sports history. They defeated the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks in successive rounds to win the Western Conference championship and advance to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The Predators fell behind 2-0 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, evened the series at 2-2 with home wins, and were ultimately eliminated in six games.
The Predators hosted the 2016 NHL All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena and sold out all 41 regular-season home games during the 2016-17 season. They became the first team in 20 years to achieve 10 straight home playoff wins.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2018-Present)
The 2017-18 season brought the Predators their first Presidents’ Trophy and first Central Division title. They defeated the Colorado Avalanche in the first round before falling to the Winnipeg Jets in seven games. The following year, the Predators captured their second consecutive division title but were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.
The Predators played their first outdoor game at the 2020 Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl against the Dallas Stars. After firing Laviolette on January 6, 2020, the team hired John Hynes as the third head coach in franchise history. On June 17, 2022, the Predators announced that former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam would purchase shares and become majority owner over several years. David Poile retired as general manager at the end of the 2022-23 season, and Barry Trotz succeeded him, effective June 30, 2023.
On May 31, 2023, Trotz hired former Predators player Andrew Brunette as the fourth head coach in franchise history. The Predators finished the 2023-24 season as the first wild card in the Western Conference and lost to the Vancouver Canucks in six games. The team remains anchored by captain Roman Josi and is affiliated with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL and the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Predators have long been built on strong goaltending, defensive structure, and depth through the draft. Players such as Pekka Rinne and Shea Weber defined the franchise’s identity during its rise, while current captain Roman Josi continues that tradition. The team’s commitment to two-way hockey and roster stability has been central to its sustained competitiveness in the Western Conference.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key Predators milestones include their first NHL game on October 10, 1998, their first playoff appearance in 2003-04, the 2017 Western Conference championship, and the 2017-18 Presidents’ Trophy. The team’s first outdoor game came at the 2020 Winter Classic, and its second outdoor game was the 2022 Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium, drawing a crowd of 68,619.
Nashville Predators Achievements and Results
The Nashville Predators have compiled a verified list of accomplishments, including one Presidents’ Trophy, two Central Division titles, and one Western Conference championship. Their run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final stands as the franchise’s deepest postseason run to date.
NHL Achievements
The Predators have won one Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, during the 2017-18 season. That same season, they captured their first Central Division title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The franchise has not yet won the Stanley Cup.
Conference Achievements
The Predators won the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions in 2017, following a six-game victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Their run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final included series wins over the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Anaheim Ducks.
Divisional Achievements
The Predators have won two Central Division titles, in 2017-18 and 2018-19, finishing first in the division in back-to-back seasons. Each title was followed by a second-round or first-round playoff exit.
Series Achievements
The Predators have won multiple playoff series since their first appearance in 2003-04, including victories over the Anaheim Ducks in 2011 and 2017, the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017, the St. Louis Blues in 2017, and the Colorado Avalanche in 2018. Their sweep of the Blackhawks in 2017 marked the first time an eighth seed had swept a top seed in a best-of-seven NHL series.