Nashville Predators: Players That Were Hardest to See in Another Uniform
By Chad Minton
![DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: David Legwand #17 of the Detroit Red Wings looks at the scoreboard during a timeout in the second period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena on March 18, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: David Legwand #17 of the Detroit Red Wings looks at the scoreboard during a timeout in the second period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena on March 18, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f9964bd5ce2bef85d48213b8482e6e13512e37b8b854122e041642c2bf05da35.jpg)
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers
This one is going back in time as well. For the old school Predators fans, you remember Kimmo Timonen vividly. He was a huge part of the early years of the franchise that started getting over the hump and into the playoffs.
Timonen’s last season with the Predators was in 2007 when he put up 55 points, which he also served as team captain. I remember very clearly how hard it was to lose this team leader.
That was a great season for the Predators as they finished with 110 points in the standings, and yet somehow still finished in 2nd place in the division. The Predators ran into a very strong San Jose Sharks team in the first round, but the foundation was being built thanks to players like Timonen.
This was a major trade at the time as the Predators dealt their captain for a first-round draft pick. They also sent Scott Hartnell to the Flyers. Timonen would go on to build quite the career with the Flyers in seven seasons and putting up 270 points.
Some may have forgotten that Timonen actually finished his career with the Chicago Blackhawks just before retiring. What a way to end his career.
Timonen was the first great defenseman for the Nashville Predators, and he definitely belongs in the class of the greatest players in team history.