Nashville Predators: Top-10 Rookie Seasons in Franchise History

David Legwand, 1999-2000

Rookie Numbers: 71 games, 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points, 4 power play goals, 11.7 shooting %

You’re probably thinking it’s blasphemous to have ole’ “Leggy” all the way back at No.8 considering he was the original Predators draft pick and went on to have such an outstanding career for the franchise that drafted him to start their expansion year.

David Legwand had a very commendable rookie season, no doubt. He was thrown into a situation where the team had very little high-end talent and was trying to find it’s place in the NHL. But he didn’t really miss a beat or fold under the pressure.

Despite being such a draft pick, Legwand didn’t immediately make it to the NHL after being drafted. He played for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL during the Predators inaugural 1998-99 season, and incredibly put up 105 points in 59 games. That’s Connor McDavid territory of production, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Either way, Legwand got the NHL nod the next season for the Predators and made an immediate impact on the infant franchise. He would go on to be one of the all-time greats spending 15 seasons with Nashville.