Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Top Rookie Campaigns in Franchise History

By Chad Minton

Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates against goalie Calvin Pickard #31 of the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on March 5, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Predators defeated the Avalanche 5-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators skates against goalie Calvin Pickard #31 of the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on March 5, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Predators defeated the Avalanche 5-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
David Legwand, Nashville Predators
David Legwand #11 of the Nashville Predators takes the puck  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

David Legwand (1999-2000)

We have to start with the original draft pick of the Nashville Predators, David Legwand. It took him one season after getting drafted before getting to the NHL level, but once he did, his impact was instantly felt.

The Predators had to take the hard road of being an expansion team and lacked a lot of offensive firepower. Legwand came in almost immediately during his rookie season and became one of the team’s leaders.

Legwand played in 71 games in his rookie season, posting 28 points and two game-winning goals. He also notched four goals on the power play and racked up nearly 15 minutes of average ice time.

This was a limited Predators team that Legwand was joining, but they did have veteran Cliff Ronning leading the team in points with 62. Legwand finished tied for 7th on the team in points.

The Predators probably knew pretty quick that they had made the wise choice in drafting Legwand in the franchise’s first NHL draft.

Legwand was just 19-years-old during his NHL rookie season after representing Team USA at the amateur World Cup, and also playing in the OHL for the Plymouth Whalers where he put up 80 points in 55 games in 1998-99.

Home/All-Time Lists