Ranking the top 10 Nashville Predators players of all time
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) – Former owner Craig Leipold was awarded an expansion team in 1998 after failing to relocate the New Jersey Devils to Nashville. That team became known as the Nashville Predators, and they’ve won two division titles and been to one Stanley Cup Final since joining the NHL. Helping the franchise accomplish these feats have been some incredible players.
These are the 10 best in franchise history.
Honorable mention
Matt Duchene, C (2019-present)
Duchene has played 81 games for the Predators and recorded 191 points (81 goals and 110 assists). Duchene’s also scored 43 goals during the 2021-22 season: the best goal-scoring season in Predators’ history.
Matt Duchene rips one past Bobrovsky to break the ice for Nashville on the power play!#Smashville pic.twitter.com/qWHEqRZUtK
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 3, 2023
P.K. Subban, D (2016-19)
Subban only played three seasons with the Predators and graced the cover of the video game “NHL 19.” The Norris Trophy winner was named an All-Star and recorded 130 points with Nashville.
Nashville Predators to Honor Former Defenseman P.K. Subban on Feb. 13
"The three-time NHL All-Star defenseman was a prominent figure both on and off the ice. During his time in Nashville, Subban launched P.K.'s Blueline Buddies Program – pic.twitter.com/F3qFJKGrV1
— Ford Ice Center (@FordIceCenter) February 13, 2023
Peter Forsberg, C (2007)
Forsberg was traded to the Predators from the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2007 trade deadline. He helped Nashville reach the playoffs, but the team fell to San Jose in the first round and he returned to Colorado in 2008.
Give us an example of “oh, they played for that team?!” 🤯
We’ll start… Peter Forsberg in Nashville pic.twitter.com/iXn07bAzdn
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 30, 2022
Martin Erat, RW (2001-13)
Erat was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. In 11 seasons, he recorded 481 points and was part of a trade package that helped Nashville acquire Filip Forsberg in 2013.
Martin Erat v zápase proti Edmontonu obsluhoval gólostroj a nikomu ho mezi svými třemi góly nepůjčil! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kAVe1Yj8TW
— NHL Česko (@NHLcz) September 26, 2021
Ryan Johansen, C (2015-present)
Johansen’s career started with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but he was traded to Nashville for Seth Jones. He scored 110 goals and signed an eight-year, $64 million contract in 2017, the biggest contract in Predators’ history at the time.
A Ryan Johansen goal thread:
Part 1: pic.twitter.com/k0nrgSHCxC
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 20, 2020
