1998–99 Nashville Predators season

The 1998–99 Nashville Predators season was the team's inaugural season. The team accumulated 28 wins and 47 losses, with seven games ending in ties for a total of 63 points, finishing in fourth place in the Central Division and 12th in the Western Conference. The team failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

1998–99 Nashville Predators
Division4th Central
Conference12th Western
1998–99 record28–47–7
Home record15–22–4
Road record13–25–3
Goals for190
Goals against261
Team information
General managerDavid Poile
CoachBarry Trotz
CaptainTom Fitzgerald
ArenaNashville Arena
Average attendance16,194
Minor league affiliate(s)Milwaukee Admirals
Hampton Roads Admirals
Team leaders
GoalsSergei Krivokrasov (25)
AssistsCliff Ronning (35)
PointsCliff Ronning (53)
Penalty minutesPatrick Cote (242)
Plus/minusRob Valicevic (+4)
WinsMike Dunham (16)
Goals against averageTomas Vokoun (2.95)

Off-season

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In the expansion draft, the Predators chose five goaltenders, including Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun, who would become their starting goaltenders, and Mike Richter, who was a free agent and chose not to sign with the Predators. In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the Predators chose David Legwand, a center, as their first-ever draft pick, second overall.

Regular season

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The Predators struggled on the power-play during the regular season, finishing 27th overall in the NHL in power-play goals scored (40). They also had the lowest penalty-kill percentage in the league, at 78.99%.[1]

Season standings

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Central Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
1 3 Detroit Red Wings 82 43 32 7 245 202 1202 93
2 5 St. Louis Blues 82 37 32 13 237 209 1308 87
3 10 Chicago Blackhawks 82 29 41 12 202 248 1807 70
4 12 Nashville Predators 82 28 47 7 190 261 1420 63

[2]

Western Conference[3]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars PAC 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
2 y – Colorado Avalanche NW 82 44 28 10 239 205 98
3 y – Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 43 32 7 245 202 93
4 Phoenix Coyotes PAC 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
5 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 37 32 13 237 209 87
6 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
8 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 33 37 12 230 226 78
9 Calgary Flames NW 82 30 40 12 211 234 72
10 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 29 41 12 202 248 70
11 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 32 45 5 189 222 69
12 Nashville Predators CEN 82 28 47 7 190 261 63
13 Vancouver Canucks NW 82 23 47 12 192 258 58

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division


Schedule and results

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1998–99 regular season[4]
October: 3–5–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 0–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 L October 10, 1998 0–1 Florida Panthers (1998–99) 0–1–0 Recap
2 W October 13, 1998 3–2 Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 1–1–0 Recap
3 L October 17, 1998 1–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 1–2–0 Recap
4 T October 19, 1998 2–2 OT @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 1–2–1 Recap
5 L October 21, 1998 2–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 1–3–1 Recap
6 L October 23, 1998 3–4 Calgary Flames (1998–99) 1–4–1 Recap
7 L October 24, 1998 4–5 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 1–5–1 Recap
8 W October 27, 1998 5–4 Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 2–5–1 Recap
9 W October 31, 1998 3–2 Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 3–5–1 Recap
November: 6–7–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 3–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
10 L November 4, 1998 2–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 3–6–1 Recap
11 W November 6, 1998 2–1 @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 4–6–1 Recap
12 L November 7, 1998 3–5 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 4–7–1 Recap
13 W November 10, 1998 4–2 @ San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 5–7–1 Recap
14 W November 12, 1998 3–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 6–7–1 Recap
15 L November 14, 1998 1–5 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 6–8–1 Recap
16 L November 17, 1998 1–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 6–9–1 Recap
17 W November 19, 1998 3–2 St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 7–9–1 Recap
18 L November 21, 1998 3–6 New York Islanders (1998–99) 7–10–1 Recap
19 L November 24, 1998 0–4 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 7–11–1 Recap
20 W November 25, 1998 4–3 Calgary Flames (1998–99) 8–11–1 Recap
21 W November 27, 1998 3–1 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 9–11–1 Recap
22 L November 29, 1998 1–5 @ New York Rangers (1998–99) 9–12–1 Recap
December: 4–6–2 (home: 3–3–2; road: 1–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
23 L December 1, 1998 1–3 Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 9–13–1 Recap
24 L December 5, 1998 1–3 Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 9–14–1 Recap
25 T December 8, 1998 3–3 OT Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 9–14–2 Recap
26 W December 10, 1998 2–1 San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 10–14–2 Recap
27 T December 12, 1998 2–2 OT Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 10–14–3 Recap
28 L December 16, 1998 1–6 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 10–15–3 Recap
29 L December 17, 1998 1–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 10–16–3 Recap
30 W December 19, 1998 6–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 11–16–3 Recap
31 W December 23, 1998 5–3 Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 12–16–3 Recap
32 W December 26, 1998 3–1 Washington Capitals (1998–99) 13–16–3 Recap
33 L December 28, 1998 0–1 @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 13–17–3 Recap
34 L December 30, 1998 2–5 Boston Bruins (1998–99) 13–18–3 Recap
January: 5–9–1 (home: 3–5–1; road: 2–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
35 L January 1, 1999 5–6 St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 13–19–3 Recap
36 L January 2, 1999 1–4 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 13–20–3 Recap
37 W January 4, 1999 2–1 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 14–20–3 Recap
38 L January 7, 1999 3–4 San Jose Sharks (1998–99) 14–21–3 Recap
39 T January 9, 1999 3–3 OT Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 14–21–4 Recap
40 L January 11, 1999 0–8 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 14–22–4 Recap
41 L January 14, 1999 1–2 OT @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 14–23–4 Recap
42 W January 15, 1999 2–0 Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 15–23–4 Recap
43 L January 18, 1999 1–8 @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 15–24–4 Recap
44 W January 19, 1999 4–1 Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 16–24–4 Recap
45 L January 21, 1999 2–3 Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 16–25–4 Recap
46 L January 26, 1999 1–4 Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 16–26–4 Recap
47 W January 28, 1999 4–2 @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 17–26–4 Recap
48 W January 30, 1999 3–2 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 18–26–4 Recap
49 L January 31, 1999 1–5 Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 18–27–4 Recap
February: 3–6–2 (home: 0–4–1; road: 3–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
50 T February 4, 1999 2–2 OT @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 18–27–5 Recap
51 L February 5, 1999 2–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 18–28–5 Recap
52 L February 9, 1999 2–5 Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 18–29–5 Recap
53 W February 12, 1999 2–1 @ New York Islanders (1998–99) 19–29–5 Recap
54 L February 13, 1999 2–3 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 19–30–5 Recap
55 L February 15, 1999 4–7 New York Rangers (1998–99) 19–31–5 Recap
56 T February 19, 1999 4–4 OT Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 19–31–6 Recap
57 W February 20, 1999 4–3 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 20–31–6 Recap
58 L February 23, 1999 3–4 Dallas Stars (1998–99) 20–32–6 Recap
59 W February 24, 1999 2–1 @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 21–32–6 Recap
60 L February 27, 1999 1–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 21–33–6 Recap
March: 5–8–1 (home: 2–3–0; road: 3–5–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
61 L March 2, 1999 1–5 St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 21–34–6 Recap
62 W March 4, 1999 4–3 @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 22–34–6 Recap
63 L March 5, 1999 2–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 22–35–6 Recap
64 L March 7, 1999 3–4 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 22–36–6 Recap
65 L March 10, 1999 2–5 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 22–37–6 Recap
66 W March 12, 1999 5–3 Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 23–37–6 Recap
67 W March 14, 1999 3–1 Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 24–37–6 Recap
68 L March 16, 1999 2–4 Calgary Flames (1998–99) 24–38–6 Recap
69 L March 18, 1999 2–3 @ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 24–39–6 Recap
70 T March 20, 1999 1–1 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 24–39–7 Recap
71 W March 24, 1999 3–0 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 25–39–7 Recap
72 L March 26, 1999 1–4 @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 25–40–7 Recap
73 L March 28, 1999 0–3 Dallas Stars (1998–99) 25–41–7 Recap
74 W March 30, 1999 3–2 @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 26–41–7 Recap
April: 2–6–0 (home: 1–3–0; road: 1–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
75 L April 1, 1999 1–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 26–42–7 Recap
76 W April 3, 1999 3–2 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 27–42–7 Recap
77 L April 7, 1999 1–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 27–43–7 Recap
78 W April 9, 1999 4–3 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 28–43–7 Recap
79 L April 12, 1999 3–4 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 28–44–7 Recap
80 L April 14, 1999 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 28–45–7 Recap
81 L April 15, 1999 2–4 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 28–46–7 Recap
82 L April 17, 1999 1–4 New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 28–47–7 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

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Scoring

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  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
7 Cliff Ronning C 72 18 35 53 −6 40
22 Greg Johnson C 68 16 34 50 −8 24
25 Sergei Krivokrasov RW 70 25 23 48 −5 42
71 Sebastien Bordeleau C 72 16 24 40 −14 26
24 Scott Walker RW 71 15 25 40 0 103
21 Tom Fitzgerald RW 80 13 19 32 −18 48
19 Andrew Brunette LW 77 11 20 31 −10 26
10 Patric Kjellberg RW 71 11 20 31 −13 24
20 Jamie Heward D 63 6 12 18 −24 44
43 Vitali Yachmenev LW 55 7 10 17 −10 10
15 Drake Berehowsky D 74 2 15 17 −9 140
28 Denny Lambert LW 76 5 11 16 −3 218
42 Joel Bouchard D 64 4 11 15 −10 60
23 Blair Atcheynum RW 53 8 6 14 −10 16
27 John Slaney D 46 2 12 14 −12 14
6 Bob Boughner D 79 3 10 13 −6 137
44 Kimmo Timonen D 50 4 8 12 −4 30
5 Jan Vopat D 55 5 6 11 0 28
16 Ville Peltonen LW 14 5 5 10 1 2
9 Darren Turcotte C 40 4 5 9 −11 16
12 Rob Valicevic RW 19 4 2 6 4 2
18 Mark Mowers C 30 0 6 6 −4 4
36 J. J. Daigneault D 35 2 2 4 −4 38
32 Jeff Daniels LW 9 1 3 4 −1 2
7[a] Jeff Nelson C 9 2 1 3 −1 2
17 Patrick Cote LW 70 1 2 3 −7 242
4 Jay More D 18 0 2 2 2 18
8 Doug Friedman LW 2 0 1 1 0 14
40 Karlis Skrastins D 2 0 1 1 0 0
29 Tomas Vokoun G 37 0 1 1 6
7[b] Greg de Vries D 6 0 0 0 −4 4
1 Mike Dunham G 44 0 0 0 4
35 Eric Fichaud G 9 0 0 0 0
47 Matt Henderson RW 2 0 0 0 −1 2
2 Dan Keczmer D 16 0 0 0 −3 12
11 David Legwand C 1 0 0 0 0 0
30 Chris Mason G 3 0 0 0 0
12 Brad Smyth RW 3 0 0 0 −1 6
50 Petr Sykora C 2 0 0 0 −1 0
2 Rob Zettler D 2 0 0 0 −2 2

Goaltending

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No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
1 Mike Dunham 44 16 23 3 1387 127 3.08 .908 1 2472
29 Tomas Vokoun 37 12 18 4 1041 96 2.95 .908 1 1954
35 Eric Fichaud 9 0 6 0 229 24 3.22 .895 0 447
30 Chris Mason 3 0 0 0 44 6 5.22 .864 0 69

Awards and records

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Awards

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Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Sergei Krivokrasov [5]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Rob Valicevic December 8, 1998 [6]
Chris Mason December 16, 1998
Kimmo Timonen
Mark Mowers January 15, 1999
Karlis Skrastins February 9, 1999
Matt Henderson April 14, 1999
Petr Sykora
David Legwand April 17, 1999

Transactions

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This section will cover signings from May 4, 1998, until the end of the 1998–99 season.

Free agent signings

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Nashville signed the following free agents between June and September 1998: Jayson More (June 4), Tom Fitzgerald (July 6), David Gosselin (July 9), Jeff Staples (July 16), Brad Smyth (July 16), Jamie Heward (Aug. 6), Andrew Brunette (Sept. 2), Vitali Yachmenev (Sept. 2), Sebastien Bordeleau (Sept. 3) and Sergei Krivokrasov (Sept. 11).

All season trades

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Date Traded Acquired Acquired From
May 29 future considerations Marian Cisar Los Angeles Kings
June 26 future considerations Kimmo Timonen and Jan Vopat Los Angeles Kings
June 26 future considerations Darren Turcotte St. Louis Blues
June 26 1998 5th round pick Ville Peltonen San Jose Sharks
June 26 future considerations Sergei Krivokrasov Chicago Blackhawks
June 26 future considerations Jim Dowd Calgary Flames
June 26 future considerations Sebastien Bordeleau Montreal Canadiens
June 26 1998 7th round pick Dominic Roussel and Jeff Staples Philadelphia Flyers
June 30 1999 7th round pick Mike Sullivan Phoenix Coyotes
July 7 future considerations Vitali Yachmenev Los Angeles Kings
July 9 future considerations Tony Hrkac Dallas Stars
July 14 Doug Brown Petr Sykora, 1999 3rd round pick, and 1999 conditional pick Detroit Red Wings
August 19 future considerations Jeff Nelson Washington Capitals
Oct 1 Jim Dowd and Mikhail Shtalenkov Drake Berehowsky, Eric Fichaud and Greg de Vries Edmonton Oilers
Oct 5 Dominic Roussel Marc Moro and Chris Mason Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Oct 25 Greg de Vries 1999 3rd round draft pick Colorado Avalanche
Oct 31 future considerations Cliff Ronning and Richard Lintner Phoenix Coyotes
Jan 13 J. J. Daigneault future considerations Phoenix Coyotes
Jan 26 future considerations Sergei Klimentiev Philadelphia Flyers
Mar 23 Blair Atcheynum 2000 6th round pick St. Louis Blues
Apr 13 1999 4th round pick Andy Berenzweig New York Islanders
May 3 Brad Smyth future considerations New York Rangers

Draft picks

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Expansion draft

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These results are numbered 1–26 for aesthetic purposes, but the players were not necessarily chosen in this order. As the Predators were the only team participating in the draft, the order is inconsequential.

# Player Drafted from
1. Frederic Chabot (G) Los Angeles Kings
2. Mike Dunham (G) New Jersey Devils
3. Mike Richter (G) New York Rangers
4. Mikhail Shtalenkov (G) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
5. Tomas Vokoun (G) Montreal Canadiens
6. Joel Bouchard (D) Calgary Flames
7. Bob Boughner (D) Buffalo Sabres
8. J. J. Daigneault (D) New York Islanders
9. Al Iafrate (D) San Jose Sharks
10. Uwe Krupp (D) Colorado Avalanche
11. John Slaney (D) Phoenix Coyotes
12. Rob Zettler (D) Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Chris Armstrong (D) Florida Panthers
14. Blair Atcheynum (RW) St. Louis Blues
15. Paul Brousseau (F) Tampa Bay Lightning
16. Doug Brown (RW) Detroit Red Wings
17. Andrew Brunette (LW) Washington Capitals
18. Patrick Cote (LW) Dallas Stars
19. Jeff Daniels (LW) Carolina Hurricanes
20. Craig Darby (C) Philadelphia Flyers
21. Doug Friedman (LW) Edmonton Oilers
22. Tony Hrkac (C) Pittsburgh Penguins
23. Greg Johnson (C) Chicago Blackhawks
24. Denny Lambert (LW) Ottawa Senators
25. Mike Sullivan (C) Boston Bruins
26. Scott Walker (RW) Vancouver Canucks

Entry draft

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Nashville's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.[7]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team
1 2 David Legwand Center   United States Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
3 60 Denis Arkhipov Center   Russia Ak Bars Kazan (Russia)
3 85 Geoff Koch Left Wing   United States University of Michigan (Big Ten)
4 88 Kent Sauer Defense   United States North Iowa Huskies (USHL)
5 138 Martin Beauchesne Defense   Canada Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
6 147 Craig Brunel Right Wing   United States Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
8 202 Martin Bartek Left Wing   Slovakia Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
9 230 Karlis Skrastins Defense   Latvia TPS (SM-liiga)

Notes

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  1. ^ Nelson wore number 38 in his first seven games.
  2. ^ de Vries wore number 14 in his second game.

References

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  • "Nashville Predators 1998-99 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  • "1998-99 Nashville Predators Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  • Podnieks, Andrew (2000). The NHL All-Star Game: 50 years of the great tradition. Toronto: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-200058-X.
  1. ^ "1998-99 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  3. ^ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  4. ^ "1998-99 Nashville Predators Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "1999 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "1998-99 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.