Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Forgotten Unsung Heroes of the Past

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 17: David Legwand #11 and Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators congratulate teammate Martin Erat #10, center, on scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena on April 17, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 17: David Legwand #11 and Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators congratulate teammate Martin Erat #10, center, on scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena on April 17, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next

Marek Židlický

The most diehard Predators fans will remember Marek Židlický and his importance to the team in the mid-2000s. However, he often gets overlooked in casual fan talk around the water cooler.

More from Predlines

Everyone remembers Mike Dunham, right? The first starting goaltender for the Predators, and a good one at that. He was traded to the New York Rangers for Židlický and a couple other players.

Židlický began his playing career with the Predators in 2003, but was actually drafted by the New York Rangers in the 2001 Entry Draft as a sixth-round pick.

In very impressive fashion, Židlický  played in all 82 games in his first season in the NHL. That’s unheard of for players playing their first NHL minutes. It shows the importance that he brought to the Predators at that time when playoff success was a fantasy.

Furthermore, Židlický received two votes in the Norris Trophy voting after posting 53 points and having a strong presence on the power play. He was one of the most productive players on the Predators at that time.

Unfortunately Židlický  wasn’t considered a rookie due to his time he played overseas before coming to the NHL, but technically he was one of the best “first year” players in the NHL that year.

Židlický would continue his solid scoring pace in his second season with the Predators and ended his four-year run in Nashville with 175 points.

Considering how depleted of talent those early teams were, Židlický was really performing at a high level. He was traded away and never matched the production that he initially had with the Predators.

Home/History