Oh Captain, My Captain: Nashville Predators Captains Through History
By Colin Blouin
Mr. Expansion himself. Tom Fitzgerald was the first Nashville Predator to wear the “C” for the franchise from 1998 – 2002.
The old school Predators fans who have been here from the start will remember Fitzgerald very well. He was clearly one of the main leaders of the early teams that lacked a lot of elite talent.
Fitzgerald not only was selected by Nashville in the 1998 Expansion Draft; he was also selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 Expansion Draft.
Though the Panthers fell to the Avalanche 4-0 in the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals, he made a mark as one of the best weapons on the team.
With the Predators, he never saw the playoffs, but he provided a foundation for hockey in Smashville, and for that, we say thank you.
Fitzgerald would finish out his time with the Predators with 42 goals and 46 assists in 307 games.