{"id":472651,"date":"2025-07-22T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T12:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=472651"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:27:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:27:38","slug":"top-nashville-predators-defining-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/07\/22\/top-nashville-predators-defining-moments\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Nashville Predators Defining Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hockey and sports in general can be broken down into moments. Some moments are bigger than others and chart the course of a franchise and an entire league. These moments can define a team\u2019s destiny for years to come. Last Word on Hockey\u2019s Summer series looks at these defining moments. Today we feature the biggest defining moment of the\u00a0Nashville Predators.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Top Nashville Predators Defining Moments in Team History<\/h2>\n

The land known as “Smashville” played its first NHL season in 1998-99. It took some time, but the Predators first tasted Stanley Cup Playoff hockey in the 2003-04 season.<\/p>\n

One the organization has received is continuity. Nashville has only had two general managers in team history and the current one was the franchise’s first head coach. Having a Hall of famer general manager like David Poile<\/a> means plenty of moves have gone on to shape the club’s fortunes.<\/p>\n

One move in particular jumps out as one of the top Nashville Predators defining moments.<\/p>\n

The Trade<\/h3>\n

After some troubles in the early years, the Predators became a consistent post-season performer. Nashville could be penciled in for the post-season after the lockout.<\/p>\n

Longtime head coach Barry Trotz was replaced by Peter Laviolette<\/a> for the 2014-15 season. The Predators got to the second round, but lost to the San Jose Sharks<\/a> in seven games.<\/p>\n

The Run-Up<\/h4>\n

In that Game 7, longtime captain Shea Weber<\/a> seemingly struggled. Weber had been there since for many seasons, but it seemed like some sort of change was needed.<\/p>\n

Poile was never afraid to make a bold move in an attempt to bolster the roster. However, trading a beloved figure like Weber would be one of the hardest things<\/a> Poile has ever had to do.<\/p>\n

The Moment<\/h4>\n

June 29, 2016<\/a> would be a big day for three big reasons<\/a>. However, it wasn’t the first important trade that happened. The New Jersey Devils<\/a> acquired Taylor Hall<\/a> from the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> in exchange for Adam Larsson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That seemed like a big trade, but a massive one would overshadow that 20 minutes later. News emerged that Weber was being sent to the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> with the Predators getting the dynamic P.K. Subban<\/a>.<\/p>\n