Nashville Predators: Top-10 Rookie Seasons in Franchise History

Seth Jones, 2013-14

Rookie Numbers: 77 games, 6 goals, 19 assists, 25 points, 99 blocks, 55 hits,11th Calder voting

Let me start off this list by saying this was incredibly difficult to rank. First off, the Nashville Predators have a much shorter history than most NHL teams, but they’ve also had plenty of impactful rookies over their two-plus decades of existence.

Seth Jones was the fourth-overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. He had instantly high expectations as such a high draft pick after the Predators had a horrible lockout-shortened season where they finished in 5th place in the division.

This was the highest draft pick the Predators had in a while as they were starting to enjoy some regular season success and get into the playoffs. Jones came in to be a major foundational piece to the defense, and he brought those traits right out of the gate.

Jones cracks my list due to him not folding under pressure as he played in 77 games and put up respectable defensive stats while also contributing offensively with 25 points. Nothing to scoff at from a 19-year-old rookie.

Jones was also used heavily that season averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. He proved to be a smart pick even though his time in Nashville came up short with a trade that brought Ryan Johansen to the Predators.