Hockey and sports in general can be broken down into moments. Some moments are bigger than others and chart the course of a franchise and an entire league. These moments can define a team’s destiny for years to come. Last Word on Hockey’s Summer series looks at these defining moments. Today we feature the biggest defining moment of the Nashville Predators.
Top Nashville Predators Defining Moments in Team History
The land known as “Smashville” played its first NHL season in 1998-99. It took some time, but the Predators first tasted Stanley Cup Playoff hockey in the 2003-04 season.
One the organization has received is continuity. Nashville has only had two general managers in team history and the current one was the franchise’s first head coach. Having a Hall of famer general manager like David Poile means plenty of moves have gone on to shape the club’s fortunes.
One move in particular jumps out as one of the top Nashville Predators defining moments.
The Trade
After some troubles in the early years, the Predators became a consistent post-season performer. Nashville could be penciled in for the post-season after the lockout.
Longtime head coach Barry Trotz was replaced by Peter Laviolette for the 2014-15 season. The Predators got to the second round, but lost to the San Jose Sharks in seven games.
The Run-Up
In that Game 7, longtime captain Shea Weber seemingly struggled. Weber had been there since for many seasons, but it seemed like some sort of change was needed.
Poile was never afraid to make a bold move in an attempt to bolster the roster. However, trading a beloved figure like Weber would be one of the hardest things Poile has ever had to do.
The Moment
June 29, 2016 would be a big day for three big reasons. However, it wasn’t the first important trade that happened. The New Jersey Devils acquired Taylor Hall from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Adam Larsson.
That seemed like a big trade, but a massive one would overshadow that 20 minutes later. News emerged that Weber was being sent to the Montreal Canadiens with the Predators getting the dynamic P.K. Subban.
Montreal’s mercurial blueliner was a player that was opposite of Weber in a number of ways. However, there was no denying the impact he could have on a game. Montreal got a steady and consistent force on the blueline while Nashville got a player that could be a gamebreaker.
That wild 23 minutes ended with Steven Stamkos signing a massive extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Aftermath
Nashville had some struggles in the following regular season, but did reach the post-season. Many didn’t give the Predators much of a chance against the Chicago Blackhawks, who were the top team in the Western Conference.
However, Nashville shocked the hockey world by sweeping Chicago in four straight. The Predators would beat the St Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history. Nashville lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it looked like the start of something promising.
The Predators would follow it up with their only President’s Trophy in franchise history. However, Nashville was eliminated by the Winnipeg Jets in round two.
Injuries mounted and Subban was eventually shipped off to the Devils. Weber would reach the Cup Final with the Habs in 2021 before injuries cut his career short. Both careers were cut short due to ailments, but both players led their teams to a Cup Final.
Other Nashville Predators Defining Moments
The Offer Sheet
This is the second Weber-related entry on this list of Nashville Predators defining moments. History could have taken a different course if the Predators decided not to match a historic offer sheet.
In the summer of 2011, Weber was awarded a one-year deal at $7.5 million after team-elected arbitration. Weber couldn’t go to arbitration again and was offer sheet eligible. The Philadelphia Flyers saw an opening and signing Weber to a massive 14-year deal on July 19, 2012. This contract was front-loaded and put massive pressure on Poile to match it.
Nashville decided to match the offer sheet five days later to keep their captain in the fold. The next collective bargaining agreement after the 2012-13 lockout prevented these massive deals for players like Weber and Ilya Kovalchuk.
This year will be the last year of an eight-year maximum length contract before it shifts to seven years with the next CBA.
A Hidden Gem
Nashville had goalies like Tomas Vokoun, Dan Ellis, Mike Dunham and others. However, no one really took control of the crease. In the 2004 NHL Draft, the Predators took a chance on a young Finnish goalie named Pekka Rinne.
It took time for the young netminder to work his way from AHL Milwaukee, but he finally made his debut in 2005-06. He’d bounce between the AHL and NHL before finally settling in 2008-09.
The Finnish goalie established himself as one of the best in the game. He would often keep the Predators in games that they’d have no business winning. His efforts would be rewarded with the Vezina Trophy in 2018.
Rinne was picked in the seventh round, 258th overall. It’s always hard for a player that taken that late in a draft to make a roster. However, Rinne made the most of his opportunities and became a Predators’ legend.
Other Nashville Predators Defining Moments
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention other Nashville Predators defining moments in team history. The Filip Forsberg for Martin Erat trade, winning the West in 2017, that questionable goal in the Stanley Cup Final and seeing both Barry Trotz and David Poile move on from the franchise are other important parts of team history.
Main photo by: Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images
The post Top Nashville Predators Defining Moments appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.