2006–07 Nashville Predators season Professional ice hockey team season
The 2006–07 Nashville Predators season was the ninth National Hockey League season in Nashville, Tennessee .
The Predators, looking to get past the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history, bulked up their roster by signing star forward Jason Arnott , whose 76 points in 2005–06 was second on the Dallas Stars . With returning forwards Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan , and the acquisition of Arnott and Jean-Pierre Dumont , the Predators were predicted to challenge the Detroit Red Wings for top spot in the Central Division .[ 1]
Although the Predators were leading the Central when the 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game was played in Dallas, Texas , only one Predator player was named to the Western Conference team, defenseman and team captain Kimmo Timonen , who played in his second All-Star Game. Head Coach Barry Trotz served as an assistant coach for the Western Conference.[ 2]
The attendance in Nashville had been a topic of much media debate all season long, with the Predators' attendance being in the bottom third of the league despite the team leading its division for most of the season. There had been much speculation in February about a clause in the Predators lease with the city that could force the city of Nashville to buy $2 million worth of tickets for the Predators in the 2007–08 season if the team failed to reach a paid average attendance of 14,000. After 21 home games, the Predators were only averaging 12,766 in paid attendance.[ 3] Team owner Craig Leipold had also announced that he was looking to sell up to 40% of the team to local interests; however, he found no immediate takers.[ 4]
In February, the Predators acquired forward Peter Forsberg from the Philadelphia Flyers for Scottie Upshall , Ryan Parent and two draft picks.[ 5] The deal paid immediate dividends at the gate: the Predators announced they had sold 3,500 tickets for their games in the first day after the trade was announced.[ 6]
The Predators finished the season with a franchise-record 110 points, with 51 wins, and earned a fourth place seed in the Western Conference quarterfinals in the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs . They then lost to the San Jose Sharks in five games in the quarterfinals.
On May 23, 2007, Craig Leipold was reported to have reached a tentative agreement to sell the team to Research In Motion Chairman and Co-CEO Jim Balsillie .[ 7] According to Leipold, the team were likely to play the 2007–08 season in Nashville , but the future of the team after that had not been clear.[ 8] Balsillie had been rumored to be interested in placing another team in Southern Ontario .[ 7] The sale was later not approved, and the Predators stayed in their city.
Regular season
The Predators finished the regular season having allowed the fewest shorthanded goals, with two.[ 9]
Season standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime/shootout loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PIM = Penalties in minutes; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
bold - qualified for playoffs, y - division title, z - best conference record
CE - Central Division, NW - Northwest Division, PA - Pacific Division
Playoffs
The Nashville Predators ended the 2006–07 regular season as the Western Conference's fourth seed.
Schedule and results
Regular season
2006–07 regular season[ 11]
October: 7–3–1 (home: 2–1–1; road: 5–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
1
October 5
Chicago
8 – 6
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
0–1–0
0
Recap
2
October 7
Nashville
5 – 6
Minnesota
Vokoun
18,568
0–2–0
0
Recap
3
October 12
Nashville
1 – 3
Chicago
Mason
8,008
0–3–0
0
Recap
4
October 14
Phoenix
1 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
13,770
1–3–0
2
Recap
5
October 16
Nashville
2 – 1
NY Islanders
SO
Vokoun
9,431
2–3–0
4
Recap
6
October 18
Nashville
3 – 0
NY Rangers
Vokoun
18,200
3–3–0
6
Recap
7
October 19
Nashville
4 – 3
New Jersey
SO
Mason
11,274
4–3–0
8
Recap
8
October 21
Vancouver
4 – 3
Nashville
OT
Vokoun
16,073
4–3–1
9
Recap
9
October 26
San Jose
3 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
13,436
5–3–1
11
Recap
10
October 28
Nashville
3 – 2
Calgary
Vokoun
19,289
6–3–1
13
Recap
11
October 31
Nashville
3 – 2
Vancouver
Vokoun
18,630
7–3–1
15
Recap
November: 10–2–1 (home: 4–0–1; road: 6–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
12
November 1
Nashville
5 – 3
Edmonton
Mason
16,839
8–3–1
17
Recap
13
November 4
Nashville
4 – 3
Minnesota
Vokoun
18,568
9–3–1
19
Recap
14
November 10
Nashville
0 – 3
Detroit
Vokoun
20,066
9–4–1
19
Recap
15
November 11
Colorado
0 – 1
Nashville
Mason
17,113
10–4–1
21
Recap
16
November 15
Nashville
5 – 4
Columbus
Vokoun
16,283
11–4–1
23
Recap
17
November 16
Minnesota
7 – 6
Nashville
SO
Mason
12,759
11–4–2
24
Recap
18
November 18
Columbus
2 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
13,209
12–4–2
26
Recap
19
November 20
Nashville
3 – 1
Columbus
Vokoun
16,174
13–4–2
28
Recap
20
November 22
Nashville
0 – 1
Dallas
Vokoun
17,853
13–5–2
28
Recap
21
November 23
Vancouver
0 – 6
Nashville
Vokoun
15,396
14–5–2
30
Recap
22
November 25
Detroit
2 – 6
Nashville
Mason
16,835
15–5–2
32
Recap
23
November 29
Nashville
3 – 2
Philadelphia
Mason
18,789
16–5–2
34
Recap
24
November 30
Nashville
5 – 4
St. Louis
Mason
5,410
17–5–2
36
Recap
December: 9–5–1 (home: 6–1–1; road: 3–4–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
25
December 2
Chicago
4 – 3
Nashville
OT
Mason
15,530
17–5–3
37
Recap
26
December 4
Nashville
2 – 3
Phoenix
Mason
11,735
17–6–3
37
Recap
27
December 6
Nashville
0 – 4
Anaheim
Mason
15,362
17–7–3
37
Recap
28
December 7
Nashville
4 – 1
Los Angeles
Mason
15,119
18–7–3
39
Recap
29
December 9
Nashville
1 – 3
San Jose
Mason
17,496
18–8–3
39
Recap
30
December 12
Edmonton
2 – 3
Nashville
Mason
12,032
19–8–3
41
Recap
31
December 14
Ottawa
0 – 6
Nashville
Mason
12,718
20–8–3
43
Recap
32
December 16
St. Louis
2 – 3
Nashville
SO
Mason
13,309
21–8–3
45
Recap
33
December 17
Nashville
2 – 1
St. Louis
OT
Mason
9,318
22–8–3
47
Recap
34
December 20
Nashville
2 – 1
Chicago
Mason
10,201
23–8–3
49
Recap
35
December 21
Buffalo
7 – 2
Nashville
Mason
16,616
23–9–3
49
Recap
36
December 23
Los Angeles
0 – 7
Nashville
Mason
14,739
24–9–3
51
Recap
37
December 26
St. Louis
2 – 3
Nashville
SO
Mason
14,807
25–9–3
53
Recap
38
December 29
Nashville
1 – 4
Dallas
Mason
18,532
25–10–3
53
Recap
39
December 30
Boston
0 – 5
Nashville
Mason
16,612
26–10–3
55
Recap
January: 10–3–0 (home: 6–1–0; road: 4–2–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
40
January 1
Colorado
5 – 3
Nashville
Mason
15,878
26–11–3
55
Recap
41
January 5
Nashville
8 – 3
Chicago
Mason
13,186
27–11–3
57
Recap
42
January 6
St. Louis
2 – 3
Nashville
Mason
14,438
28–11–3
59
Recap
43
January 9
Anaheim
4 – 5
Nashville
OT
Vokoun
11,821
29–11–3
61
Recap
44
January 12
Columbus
0 – 2
Nashville
Vokoun
14,136
30–11–3
63
Recap
45
January 13
Nashville
4 – 1
Columbus
Mason
16,825
31–11–3
65
Recap
46
January 15
Calgary
3 – 5
Nashville
Vokoun
12,011
32–11–3
67
Recap
47
January 17
Nashville
3 – 5
Detroit
Mason
20,066
32–12–3
67
Recap
48
January 18
Columbus
0 – 4
Nashville
Mason
10,927
33–12–3
69
Recap
49
January 20
Chicago
3 – 6
Nashville
Mason
17,113
34–12–3
71
Recap
50
January 26
Nashville
3 – 1
Chicago
Vokoun
11,162
35–12–3
73
Recap
51
January 27
Nashville
6 – 3
St. Louis
Mason
16,346
36–12–3
75
Recap
52
January 30
Nashville
3 – 4
Colorado
Vokoun
17,119
36–13–3
75
Recap
February: 7–5–1 (home: 5–2–1; road: 2–3–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
53
February 1
Nashville
2 – 3
Phoenix
Vokoun
14,047
36–14–3
75
Recap
54
February 3
Anaheim
0 – 3
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
37–14–3
77
Recap
55
February 6
Nashville
1 – 4
Pittsburgh
Mason
16,333
37–15–3
77
Recap
56
February 8
Toronto
2 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
15,018
38–15–3
79
Recap
57
February 10
Los Angeles
4 – 1
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
38–16–3
79
Recap
58
February 14
San Jose
0 – 5
Nashville
Vokoun
13,836
39–16–3
81
Recap
59
February 16
Nashville
0 – 1
St. Louis
Mason
15,660
39–17–3
81
Recap
60
February 17
Minnesota
4 – 1
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
39–18–3
81
Recap
61
February 19
Phoenix
1 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
15,862
40–18–3
83
Recap
62
February 22
Montreal
6 – 5
Nashville
SO
Vokoun
15,808
40–18–4
84
Recap
63
February 24
Detroit
3 – 4
Nashville
OT
Vokoun
17,113
41–18–4
86
Recap
64
February 25
Nashville
4 – 3
Columbus
OT
Mason
16,220
42–18–4
88
Recap
65
February 28
Nashville
4 – 3
San Jose
SO
Vokoun
17,496
43–18–4
90
Recap
March: 6–5–3 (home: 4–3–0; road: 2–2–3)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
66
March 3
Nashville
6 – 3
Los Angeles
Mason
16,854
44–18–4
92
Recap
67
March 4
Nashville
2 – 3
Anaheim
SO
Vokoun
17,174
44–18–5
93
Recap
68
March 6
Nashville
3 – 4
Detroit
Vokoun
20,066
44–18–6
94
Recap
69
March 8
Calgary
3 – 6
Nashville
Mason
15,515
45–18–6
96
Recap
70
March 10
Columbus
1 – 2
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
46–18–6
98
Recap
71
March 13
Detroit
5 – 2
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
46–19–6
98
Recap
72
March 14
Nashville
2 – 4
Detroit
Mason
20,066
46–20–6
98
Recap
73
March 17
Dallas
2 – 3
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
47–20–6
100
Recap
74
March 21
Nashville
0 – 2
Vancouver
Vokoun
18,630
47–21–6
100
Recap
75
March 22
Nashville
2 – 3
Calgary
OT
Mason
19,289
47–21–7
101
Recap
76
March 24
Nashville
4 – 0
Edmonton
Vokoun
16,839
48–21–7
103
Recap
77
March 27
Edmonton
3 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
16,832
49–21–7
105
Recap
78
March 29
Detroit
2 – 1
Nashville
Vokoun
16,646
49–22–7
105
Recap
79
March 31
Dallas
4 – 2
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
49–23–7
105
Recap
April: 2–0–1 (home: 1–0–1; road: 1–0–0)
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Record
Points
Recap
80
April 3
Chicago
3 – 2
Nashville
SO
Mason
14,663
49–23–8
106
Recap
81
April 5
St. Louis
1 – 4
Nashville
Vokoun
16,624
50–23–8
108
Recap
82
April 7
Nashville
4 – 2
Colorado
Vokoun
17,462
51–23–8
110
Recap
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)
Playoffs
2007 Stanley Cup playoffs[ 11]
Western Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (5) San Jose Sharks — Sharks win 4–1
Game
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
OT
Decision
Attendance
Series
Recap
1
April 11
San Jose
5 – 4
Nashville
2OT
Vokoun
17,113
0 – 1
Recap
2
April 13
San Jose
2 – 5
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
1 – 1
Recap
3
April 16
Nashville
1 – 3
San Jose
Vokoun
17,496
1 – 2
Recap
4
April 18
Nashville
2 – 3
San Jose
Vokoun
17,496
1 – 3
Recap
5
April 20
San Jose
3 – 2
Nashville
Vokoun
17,113
1 – 4
Recap
Legend :
Win
Loss
Player statistics
Scoring
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.
Goaltending
† = 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.
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Predators were involved in the following transactions from June 20, 2006, the day after the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 6, 2007, the day of the deciding game of the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals .[ 16]
Trades
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Draft picks
Nashville's picks at the 2006 NHL entry draft in Vancouver , British Columbia .[ 56] The Predators traded their first round pick, thus their first selection was in the 2nd round, 56th overall.
Minor league affiliates
The Milwaukee Admirals were Nashville's top affiliate in the American Hockey League in 2006–07 , and the New Mexico Scorpions were the Central Hockey League affiliate.
See also
Notes
^ Condition not met. The Flyers would have received the pick if Nashville re-signed Forsberg for the 2007–08 season.
^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[ 35]
References
^ burnside, Scott, Nashville Predators season preview , espn.com, October 2, 2006, accessed February 17, 2007
^ 2007 NHL Allstar Game rosters [permanent dead link ] , nhl.com, accessed February 17, 2007
^ Mullen, Bryan, Empty Preds seats could cost city $2M , The Tennessean, February 10, 2007, accessed February 17, 2007
^ Glennon, John, Leipold: No bites on buyers , the Tennessean, January 24, 2007, accessed February 17, 2007
^ Flyers deal Forsberg to Predators , tsn.ca, February 15, 2007
^ Kuharsky, Paul, Forsberg scores early for Predators in ticket sales , The Tennessean, February 17, 2007
^ a b Balsillie attempting to buy Predators Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine , tsn.ca, May 23, 2007
^ Nashville Predators Being Sold Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine , newschannel5.com, May 23, 2007
^ "2006-07 NHL Summary" .
^ "NHL Hockey Standings" . NHL.com . Retrieved July 22, 2024 .
^ a b "2006-07 Nashville Predators Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved July 18, 2024 .
^ "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 2007" . NHL.com . Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2024 .
^ a b "NHL Three Stars of the Week" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved August 5, 2024 .
^ "2006-07 NHL Young Stars Rosters" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2024 .
^ "2006-07 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 19, 2024 .
^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . Pro Sports Transactions . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Williams, Terrell (July 18, 2006). "HURRICANES ACQUIRE SCOTT WALKER FROM NASHVILLE" . Carolina Hurricanes . Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2024 .
^ a b Grossman, Evan (July 20, 2006). "MOORE DEALT TO PENGUINS" . The New York Post . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Klein Recalled, Durno returns" . OurSports Central . January 26, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators ship Vasicek back to Carolina for Belanger" . ESPN.com . February 9, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Belanger traded to second team in as many days" . ESPN.com . February 10, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Shoalts, David (February 16, 2007). "Flyers ship Forsberg to Predators" . The Globe and Mail . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Preds acquire fourth-round pick from Buffalo" . Nashville Predators . February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on March 23, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Flyers Trade Matt Ellison to Nashville" . Philadelphia Flyers . June 4, 2007. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators sign center Jason Arnott" . Nashville Predators . July 2, 2006. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ a b c d e "Predators Sign Five Players" . OurSports Central . July 17, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ a b c "Predators Sign Tootoo, Brookbank, Abid" . OurSports Central . July 21, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Preds sign d-man Henry; add pro scout" . Nashville Predators . August 21, 2006. Archived from the original on September 12, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators sign free agent J.P. Dumont" . Nashville Predators . August 29, 2006. Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators Sign Staal to Contract" . OurSports Central . October 2, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ a b "Predators Sign a Pair" . OurSports Central . October 6, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Preds acquire Leighton on waivers" . Nashville Predators . November 27, 2006. Archived from the original on December 11, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators Sign Peverley to NHL Contract" . OurSports Central . January 17, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ a b c d e f "Preds Ink Six European Prospects" . OurSports Central . June 1, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "NHL RELEASES FREE AGENT LIST" . NHL.com . July 1, 2006. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Grossman, Evan (July 3, 2006). "ISLES SIGN SILLINGER" . The New York Post . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Free-agent defenseman Eaton signs with Penguins" . ESPN.com . July 3, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Grossman, Evan (July 4, 2006). "WITT & WISDOM: ISLES GET TOUGH" . The New York Post . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Thrashers add Haydar" . theahl.com . July 4, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Bruins sign Finley, DiCasmirro among five" . theahl.com . July 17, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Sound Tiger parent club signs defenseman" . OurSports Central . July 20, 2006. Retrieved September 1, 2024 .
^ "Transactions" . The New York Times . July 27, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 . DETROIT RED WINGS--Signed D Danny Markov to a one-year contract.
^ "Greg Classen" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 . 02-Aug-06: Signed with the Hamburg Freezers of the Deutsche Liga (Germany).
^ "Red Wings add veteran Johnson" . Detroit Red Wings . August 14, 2006. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Coyotes ink faceoff specialist Perreault to one-year deal" . ESPN.com . October 29, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "He's back: Yablonski joins Steelheads tonight" . OurSports Central . November 10, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Flyers Claim Goaltender Michael Leighton from Nashville" . Philadelphia Flyers . January 11, 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "TRANSACTIONS" . Chicago Tribune . July 2, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 . Nashville: Re-signed G Chris Mason for 2 years.
^ "Predators sign defenseman Franson" . Nashville Predators . July 2, 2006. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Kreager, Tom (July 23, 2006). "Preds, Legwand agree to two-year deal" . The Tennessean. p. C1. Retrieved September 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Preds re-sign Erat to two-year deal, avoid arbitration" . ESPN.com . July 24, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "HartnelI looks to push himself with new deal" . The Tennessean. August 2, 2006. p. C3. Retrieved September 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Preds' Vokoun signs four-year, $22.8 million extension" . ESPN.com . September 11, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Predators, D Hamhuis agree to four-year, $8M contract" . ESPN.com . September 21, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ "Teemu Laakso" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2024 . 24-May-07: Signed by the Nashville Predators to a three-year entry-level contract.
^ "2006 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . www.hockeydb.com . Retrieved July 22, 2024 .
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