2007–08 Nashville Predators season

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2007–08 Nashville Predators
Division2nd Central
Conference8th Western
2007–08 record41–32–9
Home record23–14–4
Road record18–18–5
Goals for230
Goals against229
Team information
General managerDavid Poile
CoachBarry Trotz
CaptainJason Arnott
Alternate captainsJean-Pierre Dumont
Steve Sullivan
ArenaSommet Center
Average attendance14,910 (87.1%)
Team leaders
GoalsJean-Pierre Dumont (29)
AssistsJason Arnott (44)
PointsJason Arnott and Jean-Pierre Dumont (72)
Penalty minutesJordin Tootoo (100)
Plus/minusJason Arnott (+19)
WinsDan Ellis (23)
Goals against averageDan Ellis (2.34)

The 2007–08 Nashville Predators season began October 4, 2007. It was their tenth season in the National Hockey League.

The 2007 off-season was dominated by the attempted purchase of the Predators by Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie,[1] who signed a letter of intent to purchase the team for at least $220 million.[2] The attempted sale led to widespread speculation that Balsillie intended to relocate the team to Hamilton, Ontario, if the Predators failed to reach a 14,000 paid average attendance in 2007–08, allowing the team to break its lease.[3] Balsillie had already entered negotiations on a lease at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.[4] Despite calling the negotiations a "contingency plan," Balsillie petitioned the NHL to decide on his ability to relocate the franchise at the same time the NHL Board of Governors voted on his purchase of the team.[5] However, the deal was ended by Predators Owner Craig Leipold on June 22, as he informed the NHL that he was pulling out of the agreement due to a lack of a finalized sale agreement and over concerns that Balsillie would relocate the team to Hamilton.[6]

On August 1, a group led by local businessman David Freeman issued a letter of intent to purchase the Predators.[7] The sale was approved by the Board of Governors on November 29.[8]

In January, it was revealed that former Predators Owner Craig Leipold was purchasing the majority share in the Minnesota Wild.[9]

Key dates prior to the start of the season:

Regular season[edit]

On November 15, 2007, Martin Erat scored just 19 seconds into the overtime period to give the Predators a 5–4 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks.[10] The Thrashers' Marian Hossa would tie that mark in overtime on December 23, 2007, in a 3–2 Atlanta road win over the St. Louis Blues.[11] Both goals would prove to be the fastest overtime goals scored during the 2007–08 regular season.[12]

Divisional standings[edit]

Central Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Detroit Red Wings 82 54 21 7 257 184 115
2 Nashville Predators 82 41 32 9 230 229 91
3 Chicago Blackhawks 82 40 34 8 239 235 88
4 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 34 36 12 193 218 80
5 St. Louis Blues 82 33 36 13 205 237 79

Conference standings[edit]

Western Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p – Detroit Red Wings CE 82 54 21 7 257 184 115
2 y – San Jose Sharks PA 82 49 23 10 222 193 108
3 y – Minnesota Wild NW 82 44 28 10 223 218 98
4 Anaheim Ducks PA 82 47 27 8 205 191 102
5 Dallas Stars PA 82 45 30 7 242 207 97
6 Colorado Avalanche NW 82 44 31 7 231 219 95
7 Calgary Flames NW 82 42 30 10 229 227 94
8 Nashville Predators CE 82 41 32 9 230 229 91
8.5
9 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 41 35 6 235 251 88
10 Chicago Blackhawks CE 82 40 34 8 239 235 88
11 Vancouver Canucks NW 82 39 33 10 213 215 88
12 Phoenix Coyotes PA 82 38 37 7 214 231 83
13 Columbus Blue Jackets CE 82 34 36 12 193 218 80
14 St. Louis Blues CE 82 33 36 13 205 237 79
15 Los Angeles Kings PA 82 32 43 7 231 266 71

Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, p – Presidents' Trophy winner


Game log[edit]

October[edit]

Record: 4–7–0; Home: 4–2–0; Road: 0–5–0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 4 Colorado 0 – 4 Nashville Mason 16,363 1–0–0 2
2 October 6 Dallas 1 – 5 Nashville Mason 13,079 2–0–0 4
3 October 10 Nashville 1 – 4 St. Louis Mason 19,150 2–1–0 4
4 October 11 Phoenix 6 – 3 Nashville Mason 12,155 2–2–0 4
5 October 13 Calgary 7 – 4 Nashville Mason 13,152 2–3–0 4
6 October 17 Nashville 1 – 3 Anaheim Mason 17,174 2–4–0 4
7 October 20 Nashville 0 – 3 San Jose Mason 17,496 2–5–0 4
8 October 23 Nashville 0 – 6 Los Angeles Mason 14,026 2–6–0 4
9 October 25 Atlanta 0 – 3 Nashville Ellis 13,383 3–6–0 6
10 October 27 Florida 3 – 4 Nashville Ellis 15,767 4–6–0 8
11 October 30 Nashville 1 – 5 Calgary Mason 19,289 4–7–0 8

November[edit]

Record: 8–2–2; Home: 3–1–1; Road: 5–1–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
12 November 1 Nashville 3 – 0 Vancouver Ellis 18,630 5–7–0 10
13 November 2 Nashville 4 – 1 Edmonton Ellis 16,839 6–7–0 12
14 November 4 Nashville 5 – 2 Chicago Mason 12,086 7–7–0 14
15 November 7 Nashville 3 – 2 Detroit SO Mason 16,885 7–7–1 15
16 November 10 Columbus 4 – 3 Nashville SO Mason 15,947 8–7–1 17
17 November 12 Nashville 4 – 1 Columbus Mason 12,554 9–7–1 19
18 November 15 Chicago 4 – 5 Nashville OT Mason 15,353 10–7–1 21
19 November 17 St. Louis 3 – 2 Nashville SO Mason 15,246 10–7–2 22
20 November 19 Nashville 1 – 2 St. Louis Mason 15,239 10–8–2 22
21 November 22 Detroit 2 – 3 Nashville Mason 14,346 11–8–2 24
22 November 24 Minnesota 4 – 3 Nashville Mason 12,639 11–9–2 24
23 November 29 Nashville 6 – 5 Ottawa Ellis 19,538 12–9–2 26

December[edit]

Record: 6–9–0; Home: 3–4–0; Away: 4–5–0

Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
24 December 1 Nashville 5 - 4 Montreal SO Ellis 21,273 13-9-2 28
25 December 4 Nashville 1 - 3 Toronto Mason 19,400 13-10-2 28
26 December 6 Vancouver 5 - 2 Nashville Ellis 15,918 13-11-2 28
27 December 8 Anaheim 2 - 4 Nashville Mason 13,469 14-11-2 30
28 December 10 Detroit 2 - 1 Nashville Ellis 15,056 14-12-2 30
29 December 13 Colorado 2 - 1 Nashville Mason 12,456 14-13-2 30
30 December 15 Nashville 1 - 3 Colorado Mason 16,582 14-14-2 30
31 December 18 Nashville 2 - 3 Minnesota Ellis 18,568 14-15-2 30
32 December 19 Nashville 2 - 5 Chicago Ellis 14,151 14-16-2 30
33 December 22 Los Angeles 3 - 4 Nashville Ellis 15,698 15-16-2 32
34 December 23 Nashville 3 - 1 Columbus Mason 15,481 16-16-2 34
35 December 26 Nashville 2 - 5 Chicago Mason 20,511 16-17-2 34
36 December 27 Columbus 3 - 4 Nashville Mason 14,331 17-17-2 36
37 December 29 San Jose 5 - 2 Nashville Mason 13,298 17-18-2 36
38 December 31 Nashville 1 - 0 Dallas Ellis 18,584 18-18-2 38

January[edit]

Record: 8–3–3; Home: 5–1–1; Road: 3–2–2

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
39 January 3 Edmonton 2 – 5 Nashville Ellis 12,676 19–18–2 40
40 January 5 Minnesota 1 – 4 Nashville Ellis 17,113 20–18–2 42
41 January 7 Nashville 2 – 5 Anaheim Ellis 17,174 20–19–2 42
42 January 8 Nashville 7 – 0 Los Angeles Mason 14,751 21–19–2 44
43 January 12 Nashville 1 – 2 Columbus SO Mason 16,230 21–19–3 45
44 January 13 Chicago 3 – 2 Nashville SO Ellis 12,484 21–19–4 46
45 January 15 Calgary 0 – 3 Nashville Mason 11,764 22–19–4 48
46 January 17 Anaheim 2 – 1 Nashville Mason 14,193 22–20–4 48
47 January 19 Nashville 5 – 2 St. Louis Mason 19,275 23–20–4 50
48 January 21 St. Louis 3 – 6 Nashville Mason 13,642 24–20–4 52
49 January 22 Nashville 4 – 0 Colorado Ellis 15,235 25–20–4 54
50 January 24 Nashville 3 – 4 Phoenix OT Mason 12,622 25–20–5 55
51 January 29 Nashville 1 – 3 Boston Mason 14,150 25–21–5 55
52 January 31 Columbus 2 – 4 Nashville Mason 13,745 26–21–5 57

February[edit]

Record: 6–4–3 ; Home: 5–2–2 ; Road: 1–2–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
53 February 2 Phoenix 2 – 3 Nashville Ellis 27–21–5 59
54 February 5 Carolina 0 – 1 Nashville Ellis 28–21–5 61
55 February 7 Tampa Bay 2 – 1 Nashville OT Ellis 28–21–6 62
56 February 9 Nashville 3 – 4 San Jose Ellis 28–22–6 62
57 February 10 Nashville 6 – 3 Phoenix Ellis 29–22–6 64
58 February 12 Detroit 2 – 4 Nashville Ellis 30–22–6 66
59 February 14 Chicago 6 – 1 Nashville Mason 30–23–6 66
60 February 16 St. Louis 1 – 2 Nashville Ellis 31–23–6 68
61 February 17 Nashville 4 – 5 Minnesota OT Ellis 31–23–7 69
62 February 19 Edmonton 4 – 5 Nashville Ellis 32–23–7 71
63 February 21 Vancouver 3 – 2 Nashville OT Ellis 32–23–8 72
64 February 23 Dallas 6 – 3 Nashville Ellis 32–24–8 72
65 February 27 Nashville 4 – 8 Buffalo Mason 32–25–8 72

March[edit]

Record: 7-6-1; Home: 2-4-0; Road: 5-2-1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
66 March 1 Nashville 3 – 1 Dallas Ellis 18,584 33–25–8 74
67 March 4 Nashville 5 – 1 Edmonton Ellis 16,839 34–25–8 76
68 March 6 Nashville 2 – 6 Vancouver Ellis 18,630 34–26–8 76
69 March 7 Nashville 2 – 1 Calgary Ellis 19,289 35–26–8 78
70 March 9 Nashville 3 – 4 Detroit Mason 20,066 35–27–8 78
71 March 11 San Jose 2 – 1 Nashville Ellis 14,965 35–28–8 78
72 March 13 Los Angeles 4 – 1 Nashville Ellis 15,853 35–29–8 78
73 March 15 Nashville 3 – 1 Detroit Ellis 20,066 36–29–8 80
74 March 18 Washington 4 – 2 Nashville Ellis 17,113 36–30–8 80
75 March 20 Detroit 6 – 3 Nashville Mason 17,113 36–31–8 80
76 March 22 Chicago 1 – 2 Nashville SO Ellis 17,113 37–31–8 82
77 March 25 Columbus 0 – 3 Nashville Ellis 16,330 38–31–8 84
78 March 28 Nashville 2 – 0 Columbus Ellis 15,595 39–31–8 86
79 March 30 Nashville 0 – 1 Detroit OT Ellis 20,066 39–31–9 87

April[edit]

Record: 2-1-0; Home: 1-0-0; Road: 1-1-0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
80 April 1 Nashville 4 – 3 St. Louis OT Mason 17,357 40–31–9 89
81 April 3 St. Louis 2 – 3 Nashville Ellis 17,113 41–31–9 91
82 April 4 Nashville 1 – 3 Chicago Mason 21,929 41–32–9 91

Playoffs[edit]

Western Conference Quarter-finals: Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Nashville Predators (8)[edit]

Red Wings win series 4–2.

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series
1 April 10 Nashville 1 – 3 Detroit Ellis 20,066 0 – 1
2 April 12 Nashville 2 – 4 Detroit Ellis 20,066 0 – 2
3 April 14 Detroit 3 – 5 Nashville Ellis 17,113 1 – 2
4 April 16 Detroit 2 – 3 Nashville Ellis 17,113 2 – 2
5 April 18 Nashville 1 – 2 Detroit 1OT Ellis 20,066 2 – 3
6 April 20 Detroit 3 – 0 Nashville Ellis 17,113 2 – 4

Player stats[edit]

Skaters[edit]

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

    Regular season   Playoffs
Player GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
Jason Arnott 79 28 44 72 54 4 1 0 1 4
Jean-Pierre Dumont 80 29 43 72 34 6 0 2 2 4
Alexander Radulov 81 26 32 58 44 6 2 2 4 6
Martin Erat 76 23 34 57 40 6 1 3 4 8
David Legwand 65 15 29 44 38 3 1 0 1 2
Marek Zidlicky 79 5 38 43 63 6 0 3 3 8
Vernon Fiddler 79 11 21 32 47 6 0 0 0 0
Ryan Suter 76 7 24 31 71 6 1 1 2 4
Radek Bonk 79 14 15 29 40 6 1 0 1 2
Dan Hamhuis 80 4 23 27 66 6 1 1 2 6

Goaltenders[edit]

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

    Regular season   Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO Sv% GAA GP TOI W L GA SO Sv% GAA
Chris Mason 51 2692 18 22 6 130 4 .898 2.90 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0.00
Dan Ellis 44 2229 23 10 3 87 6 .924 2.34 6 357 2 4 15 0 .938 2.52
Pekka Rinne 1 29 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 0.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0.00

Awards and records[edit]

Records[edit]

On March 30, goaltender Dan Ellis had a 233:39 long shutout streak snapped in a 1–0 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. This was the fifth longest shutout streak in league history

Milestones[edit]

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
Jason Arnott 700th NHL Point October 4, 2007
Ville Koistinen 1st NHL Game October 6, 2007
Martin Erat 200th NHL Point October 11, 2007
Jason Arnott 900th NHL Game October 23, 2007
Dan Ellis 1st NHL Shutout October 25, 2007
Kevin Klein 1st NHL Assist October 25, 2007
Jason Arnott 400th NHL Assist October 27, 2007
David Legwand 500th NHL Game November 10, 2007
David Legwand 300th NHL Point November 15, 2007
Chris Mason 200th NHL Game November 19, 2007
Jed Ortmeyer 200th NHL Game December 1, 2007

Transactions[edit]

The Predators were involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

Trades[edit]

June 4, 2007
 To Nashville Predators
Matt Ellison 		To Philadelphia Flyers
future considerations
June 18, 2007
 To Philadelphia Flyers
Kimmo Timonen
Scott Hartnell 		To Nashville Predators
1st round pick 2007
(previously acquired from Nashville)
June 22, 2007
 To Florida Panthers
Tomas Vokoun 		To Nashville Predators
1st round pick in 2008
2nd round pick in 2007
conditional 2nd round pick
February 26, 2008
 To Tampa Bay Lightning
7th round pick in 2008 		To Nashville Predators
Jan Hlavac
February 26, 2008
 To Anaheim Ducks
Future Considerations 		To Nashville Predators
Brandon Bochenski

Free agents[edit]

Player Former team Contract Terms
Jed Ortmeyer New York Rangers 2 years, $1.5 million
Radek Bonk Montreal Canadiens 2 years, $2.95 million
Greg de Vries Atlanta Thrashers 2 years, $5 million
Shane Willis Carolina Hurricanes 1 year, $475,000
Dan Ellis Dallas Stars 1 year, $500,000
Martin Gelinas Florida Panthers 1 year, $1.25 million
Josh Langfield Detroit Red Wings 1 year, $575,000
Player New team
Paul Kariya St. Louis Blues
Sheldon Brookbank Columbus Blue Jackets
Vitaly Vishnevski New Jersey Devils

Draft picks[edit]

Nashville's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.[13] The Predators possess the 23rd overall pick in the draft. The pick was originally traded to the Philadelphia Flyers when the Predators acquired Peter Forsberg.[14] Nashville re-acquired the pick, however, on June 18 in exchange for Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen.[15]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (League)
1 23 Jonathon Blum D  United States Vancouver Giants (WHL)
2 54 Jeremy Smith G  United States Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
2 58 Nick Spaling C  Canada Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
3 81 Ryan Thang LW  United States University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
4 114 Ben Ryan C  United States University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
4 119 Mark Santorelli C  Canada Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)
5 144 Andreas Thuresson W  Sweden Malmo Redhawks (SEL)
6 174 Robert Dietrich D  Germany DEG Metro Stars (DEL)
7 204 Atte Engren G  Finland Lukko (SM-liiga)

Farm teams[edit]

Milwaukee Admirals[edit]

The Milwaukee Admirals are the Predators' top affiliate, playing in the American Hockey League in 2007–08.

New Mexico Scorpions[edit]

The New Mexico Scorpions were a Predators' affiliate, playing in the Central Hockey League in 2007–08. On July 2, 2009, the Scorpions ceased operations.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Canadian businessman to buy Predators Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, newschannel5.com, May 24, 2007
  2. ^ Harless, Bill, Chamber, other business execs to stump for Predators Archived 2007-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, Nashville City Paper, June 5, 2007
  3. ^ Balsillie has deal for Hamilton arena, cbc.ca, May 31, 2007
  4. ^ Burnside, Scott, Balsillie given rights for Hamilton sports complex, ESPN.com, May 31, 2007
  5. ^ Tedesco, Theresa, Balsillie raises NHL move Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, National Post, June 13, 2007
  6. ^ Glennon, John, Report: Leipold wants Balsillie out of Preds deal, tennessean.com, June 22, 2007
  7. ^ Predators sign letter of intent to stay local - USATODAY.com
  8. ^ ESPN - NHL teams will play each other at least once per season - NHL
  9. ^ Craig Leipold agrees to buy Wild
  10. ^ "Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators Box Score — November 15, 2007".
  11. ^ "Atlanta Thrashers at St. Louis Blues Box Score — December 23, 2007".
  12. ^ "2007-08 NHL Schedule and Results".
  13. ^ 2007 NHL Entry Draft Results nhl.com [dead link]
  14. ^ Acquiring Forsberg 'a huge deal' for Preds, February 20, 2007
  15. ^ Flyers acquire Hartnell, Timonen from Preds for pick, June 18, 2007
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