Nashville Predators: History of HC

"Nashville Predators" - a hockey team that plays in the NHL. Performs in the Central Division of the Western Conference. Located in Tennessee, USA. The club reached the NHL playoff seven times, twice in the semifinals. The home arena is the Bridgestone Arena, which is capable of hosting up to 17,000 fans. The duties of the head coach are performed by Peter Laviolette. There is a farm club, but he plays games in the AHL, the name is "Milwaukee Edmiles".

Base

In 1996, in the town of Nashville, a new stadium was completed, the cost of erection was about 145 million dollars. The arena could host more than 17 thousand fans. Soon businessman Craig Leopold and his firm formed a proposal in which they expressed a desire to get a new hockey team. Only the following year, the management of the NHL began to recommend the arena in Nashville as a potential location for the formation of a new club. A week later, the businessman was given an official permission to create a new club.

In the summer of 1997, the coach of the team was Barry Trots, who trained before "Portland Pirates". With them, the coach was able to win the Calder Cup in 1994 - the main AHL trophy. In early May next year, the NHL announced the entry of their newcomer into the camp - "Nashville Predators." The shape of the club is decorated with a saber-toothed tiger. The emblem appeared due to the fact that during the construction of the stadium, the bones of this ancient beast were found.

Currently Nashville Predators has the following members: Juouse Saros, Corey Potter, Matthias Ekholm, Matt Karl, Petter Granberg, Pee Kay Subban, Ryan Ellis, Stefan Elliott, Anthony Bitetto, Victor Arvidsson, James Neal, Kevin Fiala, Cody Bass , Cody Hodgson, Mike Ribeiro, Miikka Salomaki, Austin Watson, Pontus Oberg, Ryan Johansen.

Early years

1998/99 became debut for hockey players from Nashville in the NHL. It was possible to demonstrate good performance. In the ranks of the club were professional sportsmen, for example Mike Dunham. The team did not remain without young hockey players, who were promised a promising future. Among them was the Russian Sergey Krivokrasov, who later became the champion of Russia in the Kursk "Vanguard".

The first official duel took place on October 10, 1998 against the "Florida Panthers". Unfortunately, the team, minimally conceding (0: 1), lost to the guests. The debut win happened in three days. Newcomer NHL managed to settle on the thirteenth line, but despite this, the club scored twenty-eight wins. The most effective in the composition was Krivokrasov, who had the honor to represent the team at the match of all NHL stars.

The next season did not break through for Nashville Predators. Having won as many matches, the club is far from the playoffs. All indicated that it is difficult to get used to "predators" in the championship.

XXI Century

In the draft in 2000, "Nashville Predators" managed to grab a promising striker Scott Hartnell. The newcomer could not brightly spend the season, but the team improved significantly. The club did not have the necessary funding, so you had to balance in the middle of the standings.

The season of 2002/03 began with the rise in the cost of tickets for the team's games. Directors promised to return the initial cost, if "Nashville Predators" do not get into the playoffs. The expected team did not start well, scored points in the middle and failed the finish of the season. The main reason for the weak performances was the absence of star hockey players.

The next season brought the team a long-awaited exit to the playoffs. Thanks to the excellent game of hockey players, "Nashville Predators" managed to impose a fight even "Detroit", but until the end of the series did not last.

Speech after lockout

After accepting the ceiling of salaries in the NHL club finally managed to get a star. The new leader was Paul Kariya. In the 2005/06 season, he became the best player in the team, having justified the expectations of the leadership. "Nashville Predators" managed to climb to the 4 th line, but the playoffs left after the first round.

Next season the club started with an even stronger team. In the ranks joined Arnott and Dumont, as well as a hockey player from Russia - Alexander Radulov. In addition, the leadership got hold of the famous player Peter Forsberg. The club is located again on the 4 th line, and in the playoffs could not rebuff the "San Jose", which he lost in the last draw.

Season 2007/08 the team began with the loss of several leaders. Fans did not expect to get into the playoffs, but it was possible to "predators". Here they were again waiting for an insulting defeat from the "Detroit", which was significantly stronger.

The 2010/11 season will be remembered for fans of HC Nashville Predators in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. "Predators" beat "Anaheim Ducks", but HC "Vancouver Canucks" could not resist.