Revisiting the biggest offseason acquisitions in Nashville Predators History
By Chad Minton
Jason Arnott added to an Improving Predators Roster
As the Predators began growing into a viable Stanley Cup Playoff team, the front office led by David Poile looked to keep adding big weapons in free agency. After already adding Paul Kariya the offseason before, they added another major one in Jason Arnott.
Arnott had already been in the NHL for over a decade but was fresh off a 76-point season with the Dallas Stars. The Predators were getting themselves a proven offensive goal scorer and leader in the locker room. A well-respected veteran around the NHL chose Nashville again just after Kariya had done the same thing. The tide was turning and the Predators weren't an expansion team punching bag anymore.
After four years with the Predators and achieving the captain's role, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils. Much like Kariya's post-Predators days, Arnott wouldn't last in the NHL much longer.
Looking back on this addition now almost 20 years later, Arnott was never able to help lead to a playoff series win for the Predators, but he did give the franchise notoriety as a destination place for major free agents. Something that Nashville is proving even more today with Stamkos and Marchessault joining forces.
Around this same time, another franchise great J.P. Dumont was also signed in free agency by the Predators. He gets an honorable mention. He's 11th on the franchise's all-time point list with 267.