Nashville Predators: Ranking Every Captain In Team History
The Nashville Predators are about to name the 7th captain in team history. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t reflect on the previous six.
There is a lot of speculation about who the Nashville Predators’ new captain might be. The qualifications are certainly hard to come by. The captain must be hard-working, a strong leader, and someone who can put the team on his back.
All six team captains in Predators’ franchise history have exhibited these qualities. In fact, the captains of the Predators each had very unique challenges that stemmed from inheriting a young, inexperienced team. The newest captain will be leading a Stanley Cup finalist. It still won’t be easy, but he will have a significant advantage over his predecessors.
The former “C”s played a big part in making the team that we know today, but how do they compare among each other?
As we wait for the next guy, here is a ranking of every Nashville captain since 1998.
6. Greg Johnson (2002-2004)
Greg Johnson began his time with the Nashville Predators when he was claimed by the team during the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft from the Chicago Blackhawks. He would go on to spend seven seasons with the Predators, three of those as team captain.
In his three seasons as captain, the forward scored 33 goals and tallied 35 assists. While not the highest scoring captain the team would have, Johnson brought strong leadership and excelled as a defensive forward. In 2003-04, he would finish in the top 30 for the Frank J. Selke trophy given to the NHL’s top defensive forward.
5. Tom Fitzgerald (1998-2002)
At number five, the original captain of the Nashville Predators expansion franchise. Tom Fitzgerald assumed a daunting task when he became the captain of a brand-new team in then an unconventional hockey market.
A natural leader, Tom Fitzgerald led the newly formed Predators through their first years as teammates. No task could be easy in those days, but Fitzgerald’s grit and determination set the tone. Getting a win against Nashville wouldn’t be a walk in the park for opposing teams, you had to work for it.
Over the course of 307 games, Tom Fitzgerald recorded 42 goals and 46 assists.
4. Mike Fisher (2016-17)
The last year of Mike Fisher‘s career could be his most impressive. The forward stepped into the captaincy with big shoes to fill. Shea Weber had just led the team to a Western Conference Semi-Final Game 7 and expectations mounted. Mike Fisher responded by leading the Nashville Predators franchise to its first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Fisher spent five and a half seasons with the Predators before he became captain. His contributions piled up during those years with perhaps his greatest coming in the form of a 3OT game winning goal in the Western Conference Semi-Finals in 2016.
In his year as captain, the forward put up 18 goals and 24 assists. In addition, Fisher posted four assists in the Predators’ Stanley Cup Finals run.
3. Kimmo Timonen (2006-07)
The Finnish defender spent seven seasons with the Nashville Predators before he became the third captain in franchise history. In those seven seasons, Kimmo Timonen proved himself to be a reliable blue-liner while adding offensive pop every now and then.
Timonen brought a keen hockey sense and strong defensive fundamentals to the Predators. Moreover, he helped set a precedent of elite defensemen developed by the organization.
During Kimmo’s season as captain, he posted some of his strongest numbers. Timonen scored 13 goals and racked up 42 assists, setting a career high in total points and assists. Timonen also set a career high in the +/- column at +20.
As a team, the Predators finished with 51 wins with Kimmo Timonen as the captain. The 2006-07 regular season remains the best in Franchise history. Nashville would advance to the Western Conference Quarter Finals before a disappointing loss to San Jose 4-1.
2. Jason Arnott (2007-2010)
Jason Arnott recorded the two highest scoring seasons by Nashville Predators captain during his captaincy. In a Predators squad that largely unimpressed, Arnott’s play took center stage.
Arnott recorded two 28+ goal seasons with a 33 goal season in 2008-09 that set a Predators record for goals in a season. His 72 point season in 2007-08 is tied for third in Franchise history. He also set the single season goals per game record for the Predators at 0.51 goals per game in 2008-09.
1. Shea Weber (2010-2016)
What more can you say about Shea Weber? Drafted and developed by the Predators, Weber was groomed for success. An eleven year career with Nashville ended in 2016, but he will continue to be one of the most beloved figures in Nashville. His play spoke for itself during his captaincy.
The Predators in the mid 2010’s lacked offensive firepower. They were brought back to offensive ways by their captain who led the way. Weber finished in the top five in goals five times as captain. He also led the team in points back to back seasons (2012/13, 2013/14).
Shea also brought star power to the team, despite his humble attitude. Weber represented the Predators at five NHL all-star games (four as captain) and also won the Hardest Shot contest twice. His shot speed of 108.5 is the second hardest since the NHL began the contest in 1990.
Next: Young Defensemen To Watch In Pre-Season
Shea Weber caps off a list of incredible hockey players to wear the “C” for the Nashville Predators. Who will wear the “C” next and where might they eventually fall in the halls of Predators history?