Nashville Predators
The Predators are Nashville's original NHL franchise, founded in 1997 and playing at Bridgestone Arena since 1998.
The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team has played its home games at Bridgestone Arena since 1998. The Predators are currently affiliated with two minor league teams: the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.
The club was founded in 1997, when the NHL granted an expansion franchise to Craig Leipold, with the team beginning play in the 1998–99 season. After five seasons, the Predators qualified for their first Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2003–04 season. In 2008, ownership of the team was transferred from Leipold to a locally based ownership group. The Predators advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final in 2017, but were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
In the following season, the Predators won their first Presidents' Trophy and Central Division title. As of 2026, the Predators, along with Nashville SC, are one of two professional sports teams in the state of Tennessee to have not relocated from another location as the Titans and the Grizzlies moved to Tennessee from Houston and Vancouver respectively.
Lore & Background
The franchise's logo, a saber-toothed cat (Smilodon fatalis), was unveiled on September 25, 1997. The logo references a partial Smilodon skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971 during construction of the First American National Bank building. The team name 'Predators' was submitted by owner Craig Leipold and chosen by fan vote from candidates including 'Ice Tigers,' 'Fury,' and 'Attack.' The Predators began play in the 1998–99 season, losing their first game 1–0 to the Florida Panthers on October 10, 1998, and earning their first win on October 13, 1998, against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The team finished second-to-last in the Western Conference in their inaugural season. In the 2000–01 season, the Predators played two games in Tokyo against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Predators hosted the 2003 NHL entry draft, selecting future captain Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The 2004–05 season was wiped out by a labor dispute.
Prior to the 2005–06 season, the team signed free agent Paul Kariya and started the season 8–0, becoming only the fourth NHL franchise to do so. In 2006–07, the Predators traded for five-time NHL All-Star Peter Forsberg. Following the 2006–07 season, owner Craig Leipold attempted to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, but the sale fell through. A local ownership group led by David Freeman eventually purchased the team, with the NHL Board of Governors approving the sale on November 29, 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the schedules for the 2026–27 season announced?
The preseason schedule was revealed on June 25, 2026, coinciding with the franchise's anniversary date. Regular season details followed shortly after on July 16, 2026.
Where did the team participate in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft?
The draft took place at the KeyBank Center located in Buffalo, New York. Nashville selected players during this event held on June 26 and 27 of that year.
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