The 1998–99 Nashville Predators season was the team's inaugural

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

. 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 The Stanley Cup playoffs () is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular s ...

Off-season

In the expansion draft, the Predators chose five goaltenders, including

Mike Dunham Michael Francis Dunham (born June 1, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. Dunham is the Boston Bruins goalie development coach, and the former head goaltending coach for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey Le ...

and

Tomas Vokoun Tomas may refer to: People * Tomás (given name), a Spanish, Portuguese, and Gaelic given name * Tomas (given name), a Swedish, Dutch, and Lithuanian given name * Tomáš, a Czech and Slovak given name * Tomàs, a Catalan given name and surname * ...

, who would become their starting goaltenders, and

Mike Richter Michael Thomas Richter (born September 22, 1966) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played his entire National Hockey League career, from 1989 to 2002, with the New York Rangers organization, and led the team to the Stan ...

, who was a free agent and chose not to sign with the Predators. In the 1998 NHL entry draft, the Predators chose

David Legwand David A. Legwand (born August 17, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the first player ever drafted by the Nashville Predators, with whom he spent 12 full ...

, a center, as their first-ever draft pick, second overall. On July 6, the Predators signed veteran forward Tom Fitzgerald to a three-year contract and immediately named him the franchise's first captain.

Regular season

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%.

Season standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 10, 1998, , 0–1 , , align="left",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1998–99) , , 0–1–0 , , , - , 2, , October 13, 1998, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 17, 1998, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–2–0 , , , - , 4, , October 19, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–2–1 , , , - , 5, , October 21, 1998, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–3–1 , , , - , 6, , October 23, 1998, , 3–4 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–4–1 , , , - , 7, , October 24, 1998, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1998–99) , , 1–5–1 , , , - , 8, , October 27, 1998, , 5–4 , , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1998–99) , , 2–5–1 , , , - , 9, , October 31, 1998, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–5–1 , , , - , - , 10, , November 4, 1998, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1998–99) , , 3–6–1 , , , - , 11, , November 6, 1998, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 4–6–1 , , , - , 12, , November 7, 1998, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 4–7–1 , , , - , 13, , November 10, 1998, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 5–7–1 , , , - , 14, , November 12, 1998, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1998–99) , , 6–7–1 , , , - , 15, , November 14, 1998, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1998–99) , , 6–8–1 , , , - , 16, , November 17, 1998, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 6–9–1 , , , - , 17, , November 19, 1998, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 7–9–1 , , , - , 18, , November 21, 1998, , 3–6 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1998–99) , , 7–10–1 , , , - , 19, , November 24, 1998, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 7–11–1 , , , - , 20, , November 25, 1998, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 8–11–1 , , , - , 21, , November 27, 1998, , 3–1 , , align="left",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 1998–99) , , 9–11–1 , , , - , 22, , November 29, 1998, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1998–99) , , 9–12–1 , , , - , - , 23, , December 1, 1998, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 9–13–1 , , , - , 24, , December 5, 1998, , 1–3 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1998–99) , , 9–14–1 , , , - , 25, , December 8, 1998, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 9–14–2 , , , - , 26, , December 10, 1998, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 10–14–2 , , , - , 27, , December 12, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1998–99) , , 10–14–3 , , , - , 28, , December 16, 1998, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 10–15–3 , , , - , 29, , December 17, 1998, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 10–16–3 , , , - , 30, , December 19, 1998, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 11–16–3 , , , - , 31, , December 23, 1998, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 12–16–3 , , , - , 32, , December 26, 1998, , 3–1 , , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1998–99) , , 13–16–3 , , , - , 33, , December 28, 1998, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1998–99) , , 13–17–3 , , , - , 34, , December 30, 1998, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1998–99) , , 13–18–3 , , , - , - , 35, , January 1, 1999, , 5–6 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 13–19–3 , , , - , 36, , January 2, 1999, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 13–20–3 , , , - , 37, , January 4, 1999, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 14–20–3 , , , - , 38, , January 7, 1999, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 14–21–3 , , , - , 39, , January 9, 1999, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 14–21–4 , , , - , 40, , January 11, 1999, , 0–8 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1998–99) , , 14–22–4 , , , - , 41, , January 14, 1999, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 14–23–4 , , , - , 42, , January 15, 1999, , 2–0 , , align="left",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1998–99) , , 15–23–4 , , , - , 43, , January 18, 1999, , 1–8 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 15–24–4 , , , - , 44, , January 19, 1999, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 16–24–4 , , , - , 45, , January 21, 1999, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 1998–99) , , 16–25–4 , , , - , 46, , January 26, 1999, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 16–26–4 , , , - , 47, , January 28, 1999, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 17–26–4 , , , - , 48, , January 30, 1999, , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1998–99) , , 18–26–4 , , , - , 49, , January 31, 1999, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 18–27–4 , , , - , - , 50, , February 4, 1999, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 18–27–5 , , , - , 51, , February 5, 1999, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 18–28–5 , , , - , 52, , February 9, 1999, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 18–29–5 , , , - , 53, , February 12, 1999, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 19–29–5 , , , - , 54, , February 13, 1999, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1998–99) , , 19–30–5 , , , - , 55, , February 15, 1999, , 4–7 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 19–31–5 , , , - , 56, , February 19, 1999, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 19–31–6 , , , - , 57, , February 20, 1999, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 20–31–6 , , , - , 58, , February 23, 1999, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 20–32–6 , , , - , 59, , February 24, 1999, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 21–32–6 , , , - , 60, , February 27, 1999, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 21–33–6 , , , - , - , 61, , March 2, 1999, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 21–34–6 , , , - , 62, , March 4, 1999, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–34–6 , , , - , 63, , March 5, 1999, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–35–6 , , , - , 64, , March 7, 1999, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–36–6 , , , - , 65, , March 10, 1999, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 22–37–6 , , , - , 66, , March 12, 1999, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 23–37–6 , , , - , 67, , March 14, 1999, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 24–37–6 , , , - , 68, , March 16, 1999, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 24–38–6 , , , - , 69, , March 18, 1999, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 24–39–6 , , , - , 70, , March 20, 1999, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 24–39–7 , , , - , 71, , March 24, 1999, , 3–0 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 25–39–7 , , , - , 72, , March 26, 1999, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 25–40–7 , , , - , 73, , March 28, 1999, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 25–41–7 , , , - , 74, , March 30, 1999, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 26–41–7 , , , - , - , 75, , April 1, 1999, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 26–42–7 , , , - , 76, , April 3, 1999, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 27–42–7 , , , - , 77, , April 7, 1999, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 27–43–7 , , , - , 78, , April 9, 1999, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 28–43–7 , , , - , 79, , April 12, 1999, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 28–44–7 , , , - , 80, , April 14, 1999, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 28–45–7 , , , - , 81, , April 15, 1999, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1998–99) , , 28–46–7 , , , - , 82, , April 17, 1999, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1998–99) , , 28–47–7 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

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

Free agent signings

Nashville signed the following free agents between June and September 1998:

Jayson More Jayson William More (born January 12, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player.https://www.nhl.com/player/jayson-more-8449694 More was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, in the 1987 NHL ...

(June 4), Tom Fitzgerald (July 6),

David Gosselin David Gosselin (born June 22, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played 13 games in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators between 2000 and 2001. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1998 to 20 ...

(July 9), Jeff Staples (July 16),

Brad Smyth Bradley Smyth (born March 13, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who endured a journeyman career and played in the National Hockey League with the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Nashville Predators a ...

(July 16), Jamie Heward (Aug. 6),

Andrew Brunette Andrew D. Brunette (born August 24, 1973) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). As a player, Brunette played over 1,100 career games in ...

(Sept. 2), Vitali Yachmenev (Sept. 2), Sebastien Bordeleau (Sept. 3) and

Sergei Krivokrasov Sergei Vladimirovich Krivokrasov (, born 15 April 1974) is a Russian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League for ten seasons between 1992 and 2002. He represented the Nashville Predators in the 1999 ...

(Sept. 11).

All season trades

Draft picks

Expansion draft

''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.''

Entry draft

Nashville's draft picks at the 1998 NHL entry draft held at the

Marine Midland Arena KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York, United States. Originally known as Marine Midland Arena, the venue has since been named HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center. Home to the Buffalo Sabres of the Nation ...

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is a Administrative divisions of New York (state), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and county seat of Erie County, New York, Erie County. It lies in Western New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of ...

Notes

References

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:1998-99 Nashville Predators Season Nashville Predators seasons N