 General Manager: David Poile
Coach: Barry Trotz
2003-2004 Record: 38-29-11-4, 8th West
Goals For: 216
Goals Against: 217
Power Play: 16.9% (11th)
Penalty Killing: 81.8% (24th)
Scoring leader: S. Sullivan (73)
Goals leader: S. Walker (25)
Assists Leader: S. Sullivan (49)
Additions: F Darcy Hordichuk, D Danny Markov, D Sheldon Brookbank, F Paul Kariya, C Scott Nichol, F Kris Beech, C Yanic Perreault.
Subtractions: D Andreas Lilja, D Andrew Hutchinson, D Shane Hnidy, C Denis Arkhipov, F Randy Robitaille.
Ready for Prime Time?: RW Scottie Upshall, D Ryan Suter.
They said it: "I live up around Green Bay. And this (Kariya signing) is like when Reggie White picked to play in Green Bay. He made such a difference on that team, and I think Paul is going to make a huge difference for us." - Owner Craig Leipold on the Predators' signing of Paul Kariya.
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The 16-month lowdown:
The name of the game for the Predators in 2006 is speed, speed and more speed. Steve Sullivan, acquired by GM David Poile in 2003-2004, will have more wind on his skates with the addition of Paul Kariya. The former Ducks captain had a sub-par season with the Colorado Avalanche and has nowhere to go but up. The Predators already have a good young defence that features Kimmo Timonen, Mark Eaton, Marek Zidlicky and Dan Hamhuis. Adding Danny Markov to the mix only makes them that much deeper on the blueline. Tomas Vokoun played a huge part in getting Nashville to the playoffs in 2004, and is as reliable as any other goaltender on a given night. Their last move of the preseason was signing veteran centre Yanic Perreault, who is still among the best faceoff men in the league.
Think about the future:
Wisconsin defenceman Ryan Suter could be another new face added to Predators' lineup this season. Jordin Tootoo received a lot of fanfare with his spirited play at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship and that same following carried over well into his first season in Nashville. It will be interesting to see how he will elevate his game next season, though his tough and feisty style of play spoke for itself with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. In just 59 games in 2004-2005, Tootoo tallied 22 points and a whopping 266 penalty minutes.
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