Editing Nashville Predators (section)

==History==

===Bringing the NHL to Nashville===
In late 1995, rumors began to circulate that the [[New Jersey Devils]] would relocate to the planned [[Nashville Arena]] after they won their first-ever Stanley Cup championship.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DF1F3AF93AA15755C0A963958260 | work=The New York Times | title=HOCKEY; Fans Caught Between Devils and Nashville | first=Neil | last=MacFarquhar | date=June 29, 1995 | access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref> Nashville offered a $20&nbsp;million relocation bonus to any team that would relocate, and the Devils attempted to terminate their lease with the [[New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority|NJSEA]] before ultimately restructuring it to remain in New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7DA123DF93BA35755C0A963958260&scp=61&sq=nashville+devils&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=1995 N.H.L. PLAYOFFS; Devils Reject Offer on New Lease | first=Richard | last=Sandomir | date=June 8, 1995 | access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEFDA173AF937A25754C0A963958260&scp=104&sq=nashville+devils&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=HOCKEY; Devils and New Jersey Call Truce and Strike Deal | first=Richard | last=Sandomir | date=July 14, 1995 | access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Barry Trotz 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright|In August 1997, [[Barry Trotz]] was named as the first head coach of the Nashville Predators.]]
After the failed attempt to land the Devils, [[NHL commissioner]] [[Gary Bettman]] stated Nashville would probably be considered in upcoming expansion.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0D71E3BF937A25754C0A963958260&scp=105&sq=nashville+devils&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=HOCKEY; Nashville Still Seeks Team | date=July 14, 1995 | access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref> The arena was opened in 1996, and after an attempt to bring the [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[Sacramento Kings]] did not materialize, the city instead went after a hockey team.<ref name=si>{{cite magazine|last1=Farber|first1=Michael|title=Hockey-Tonk Town Nashville and its biggest country music stars have taken a down-home hankerin' to the expansion Predators|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1998/11/09/251730/hockey-tonk-town-nashville-and-its-biggest-country-music-stars-have-taken-a-down-home-hankerin-to-the-expansion-predators|access-date=May 28, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=November 9, 1998}}</ref>

In January 1997, a group led by [[Wisconsin]] businessman [[Craig Leipold]] made a formal presentation before the NHL requesting an expansion franchise.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E5DA1038F937A25752C0A961958260&scp=177&sq=nashville+franchise&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=Cities Line Up To Join The N.H.L | first=Frank | last=Litsky | date=January 14, 1997}}</ref> When Bettman and league officials visited Nashville to tour the arena, thousands gathered on the arena plaza to greet them. In June, the league granted conditional franchises to Nashville, [[Columbus Blue Jackets|Columbus, Ohio]]; [[Atlanta Thrashers|Atlanta]], and [[Minnesota Wild|Minneapolis–Saint Paul]].

The Nashville team would begin play in 1998 if they met the NHL requirement of selling 12,000 season tickets before March 31, 1998.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E7D9163EF93BA25755C0A961958260&scp=185&sq=nashville+franchise&st=nyt | work=The New York Times | title=N.H.L. Names 4 Cities For Its New Franchises | date=June 18, 1997 | access-date=May 19, 2010}}</ref>{{verify source|date=March 2023}} Of the four cities, Nashville was the only one with a completed arena and therefore began play first. On July 9, 1997, Leipold named former [[Washington Capitals]] general manager [[David Poile]] as the franchise's first general manager.<ref name="Gulitti">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/barry-trotz-to-succeed-david-poile-as-predators-general-manager/c-341550702|title=Poile, only general manager in Predators history, to retire after season|last=Gulitti|first=Tom|date=February 26, 2023|work=NHL.com|access-date=March 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>"NHL Expansion Franchise Nashville Chooses Poile For GM".''[[Boston Globe]]''. July 10, 1997.</ref> [[Portland Pirates]]' head coach [[Barry Trotz]] was named the franchise's first head coach on August 6.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|title=Nashville Predators Timeline|url=http://www.wsmv.com/sports/13383940/detail.html|publisher=WSMV|access-date=May 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108112928/http://www.wsmv.com/sports/13383940/detail.html|archive-date=January 8, 2009|location=Nashville, TN|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 25, 1997, Leipold and team president Jack Diller held a press conference where they unveiled the franchise's new logo, a [[saber-toothed cat]] (''[[Smilodon]] fatalis'').<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2016 |title=Nashville Predators: Why the Saber-tooth Tiger is Perfect |url=https://predlines.com/2016/08/10/nashville-predators-why-the-saber-tooth-tiger-is-perfect/ |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Predlines |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226172611/https://predlines.com/2016/08/10/nashville-predators-why-the-saber-tooth-tiger-is-perfect/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The logo was a reference to a partial ''Smilodon'' skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971 during construction of the [[First American National Bank]] building, now the [[UBS Tower (Nashville)|UBS Tower]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ingram|first=Tom|title = Specialists to Study Cave Bones|newspaper = [[Nashville Tennessean]]|page=7|date=October 2, 1971}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Guilday|first=John E.|title=Sabertooth Cat, Smilodon Floridanus (Leidy), and Associated Fauna From a Tennessee Cave (40DV40), the First American Bank Site.|journal=Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science|volume=52|issue=3|pages=84–94|date=July 1977}}</ref>

Once the logo was unveiled, the franchise held a vote among fans to choose a name. Three candidates were culled from 75: "Ice Tigers," "Fury" and "Attack." Leipold added his own submission to the vote, "Predators". On November 13, Leipold revealed at a press conference that his submission had won out and the new franchise would be known as the "Nashville Predators."<ref name="autogenerated1" />

When awarded a franchise, the city of Nashville paid 31.50% of the $80&nbsp;million fee to join the league. The city has engaged an affiliate of the team to operate the arena, and that agreement protects the city against annual arena operating losses over approximately $3.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Donald W.|title=Metropolitan Nashville Council, Analysis Report for April 15, 2008|url=http://www.nashville.gov/council/docs/analysis/080415.pdf|website=nashville.gov|publisher=Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528003339/http://www.nashville.gov/council/docs/analysis/080415.pdf|archive-date=May 28, 2010|date=April 15, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The $15&nbsp;million payroll of the team was the lowest of the NHL.<ref name=si/>

===Early years (1998–2005)===
The Predators began play during the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]], taking to the ice for the first time on October 10, 1998, where they lost 1–0 at home to the [[Florida Panthers]]. It was the only sold-out game of the Predators' first five bouts in Nashville.<ref name=si/> Three nights later, on October 13, they defeated the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] 3–2 for their first win. Forward [[Andrew Brunette]] scored the first goal. The Predators, in their first year of existence, finished second-to-last in the Western Conference with a 28–47–7 record. In the [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000 season]], the Predators finished with a similar record to the previous season, and finished last in the Western Conference behind the [[Calgary Flames]]. However, during a game versus the [[New York Islanders]] on February 20, 2000, the Predators scored four goals in 3 minutes and 38 seconds.

To begin the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]], the Predators played two games at the Saitama Super Arena in [[Tokyo, Japan]] against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]. Each team won a game in front of the largest crowds ever to see a hockey game in Japan (13,849 for the first game and 13,426 for the second game). This included around 100 fans who made the trip from Tennessee.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/10th-anniv-2000-season-opens-in-japan/c-439294 | title=10th Anniv.: 2000 Season Opens in Japan}}</ref> Backed by the goaltending duo of [[Mike Dunham]] and [[Tomáš Vokoun|Tomas Vokoun]], Nashville finished the season in tenth place in the Western Conference, ten points out of a playoff spot with 80 total points. During the [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], the Predators recorded their 100th victory on December 6, 2001. With that win, Nashville became the second-fastest expansion team of the 1990s to reach the 100-win plateau. In the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]], head coach Barry Trotz broke the record for most games coached by the original coach of an expansion team (392 games).

In June 2003, the Predators hosted the [[2003 NHL entry draft|NHL entry draft]]. Future Predators captain [[Shea Weber]] was selected by the team with the 49th overall pick.

The club failed to qualify for the [[Stanley Cup playoffs]] for their first five years as a franchise. However, in the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], the Predators finished eighth in the Western Conference, qualifying for their first postseason berth. The Predators were eliminated by the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in six games in the first round of the [[2004 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. The following [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]] was wiped out by a labor dispute between NHL owners and players.

===After the lockout (2005–2014)===
The Predators made their biggest free agent signing to that point in August 2005, when they signed [[Paul Kariya]] to a two-year, $9 million contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/paul-kariya-a-perfect-fit/c-438573 | title=Paul Kariya: A Perfect Fit}}</ref>

[[File:Chris Mason.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Chris Mason (ice hockey)|Chris Mason]] became the ninth goaltender to score a goal in the NHL during the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]].]]
In the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]], the Predators set an NHL record by winning their first four games by one goal each (although two of those were shootout victories, which would have been tie games in previous seasons). They also became only the fourth NHL franchise to start the season 8–0; the last time a team did so was the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], who set the mark with a 10–0 start in the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]]. The Predators set the franchise mark for wins in a season with a 2–0 shutout of the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] on March 16, 2006. In that match, [[Chris Mason (ice hockey)|Chris Mason]] became the ninth [[List of goalscoring NHL goaltenders|goaltender to score a goal]]. By the end of the season, the Predators had accumulated 106 points—their first 100-point season—and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. They finished the season with an NHL-best 32–8–1 record at home. However, the Predators would be eliminated by the [[San Jose Sharks]] in five games in the first round of the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs|2006 playoffs]].

During the off-season, the Predators acquired veteran center [[Jason Arnott]] from free agency on July 2, 2006. In the [[2006–07 NHL season|following season]], Arnott and [[David Legwand]] led the team in goals with 27 each. Late in the season, the Predators traded two former first-round draft picks, [[Scottie Upshall]] and [[Ryan Parent]], plus their first and third-round pick in the [[2007 NHL entry draft]], to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] for five-time NHL All-Star [[Peter Forsberg]]. The Predators finished the season ranked fourth in the Western Conference with a franchise-record 110 points, finishing third overall behind the [[Buffalo Sabres]] and the Red Wings. They were defeated by the Sharks in the first round of the [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007 playoffs]] for the second year in a row, losing the series 4–1.

The roster saw a depletion in talent during the off-season. With multiple potential buyers and rumors of the franchise moving hounding the team until almost mid-season, the Predators were not expected to be successful during the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]]. Chris Mason, former backup goaltender to Tomas Vokoun (who was traded to the [[Florida Panthers]]) had a shaky season and shared net-minding duties with [[Dan Ellis (ice hockey)|Dan Ellis]]. Ellis, who was signed from the [[Dallas Stars]] before the season began, had a 233:39 long shutout streak (fifth longest in league history) nearing the end of the season that helped Nashville attain the eighth playoff spot with 91 points. The Predators met the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning (and eventual Stanley Cup winners) Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs and were defeated 4–2, their fourth-straight first-round knockout.

====New ownership group====
The first off-season of settling in under new ownership was a quiet one for the Predators with little personnel movement. As such, the Predators began the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] with little expectation. Following a strong push after the All-Star break and no movement at the trade deadline, the team found themselves still battling for a playoff spot into the last week of the season. Buoyed by the return of [[Steve Sullivan]] after almost two seasons recovering from a back injury, the Predators finished with 88 points, settling for tenth place in the Western Conference, missing the [[2009 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]] for the first time in five seasons.

[[File:Colin Wilson Predators.jpg|thumb|The [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]] saw the debut of [[Colin Wilson (ice hockey)|Colin Wilson]] with the Predators.]]
The Predators made few major additions to their roster in the 2009 off-season, signing former [[San Jose Sharks]] forward [[Marcel Goc]] (who was extended for another year by the club in mid-season) and former [[Montreal Canadiens]] defenseman [[Francis Bouillon]]. The [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]] also saw the much-anticipated debut of top prospect [[Colin Wilson (ice hockey)|Colin Wilson]]. However, due to a groin injury suffered in training camp, Wilson spent the first week-and-a-half of the season on the sidelines, and was sent to the [[Milwaukee Admirals]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) in November. He returned to the club in February and scored 11 points in his next 15 games and finished the season with 15 points in 35 games. 2010 also saw a breakout year for the last pick in the [[2005 NHL entry draft|2005 draft]], [[Patric Hörnqvist|Patric Hornqvist]], as the 23-year-old Swede scored 30 in the 2009–10 season, becoming the fourth Predator to do so (the others being Steve Sullivan, [[Paul Kariya]] and Jason Arnott). The Predators qualified for the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs|2010]] playoffs, facing the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in the first round. The Predators earned their first postseason road win on April 16, 2010, when they beat the Blackhawks 4–1 at the [[United Center]], although they lost the overall series in six games.

On July 9, 2010, the Predators announced defenseman [[Shea Weber]] would become the club's fifth [[captain (ice hockey)|captain]]. In the following season's [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], the Predators advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the [[Anaheim Ducks]] in the first round, winning the fourth game of the series at Bridgestone Arena on April 24, 2011. Two days prior, Predators' goaltender [[Pekka Rinne]] was nominated as a [[Vezina Trophy]] finalist for his performance during the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/rinne-named-vezina-trophy-finalist/c-560638 | title=Rinne named Vezina Trophy Finalist}}</ref> The Predators played against the number-one ranked team in the NHL in the second round, the [[Vancouver Canucks]]. The Predators lost the series 4–2.

On June 22, 2011, the Predators unveiled their modified logo set for the 2011–12 season. With the color scheme simplified to blue, gold, and white and eliminating orange, silver, and steel, the Predators cleaned up their primary logo and wordmark. A new alternate logo incorporating elements from a guitar pick and the [[Flag of Tennessee|Tennessee state flag]] was also introduced. Home jerseys changed from blue to gold.<ref>{{cite news|title=Preds Unveil New Logos|url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/preds-unveil-new-logos/c-566603|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref>

In the beginning of the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], on November 3, 2011, the Predators signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a seven-year, $49&nbsp;million deal. It was the largest contract awarded in Predators' history, as well as making Rinne the highest-paid goaltender in the NHL that year. On February 27, 2012, during the NHL's trade deadline, the Predators acquired [[Andrei Kostitsyn]] and [[Paul Gaustad]] from the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and the [[Buffalo Sabres]], respectively. The Predators surrendered draft picks to bolster their team for the [[2012 Stanley Cup playoffs|2012 playoffs]]. The season also saw the return of Russian forward [[Alexander Radulov]] to the Predators after a four-year hiatus to play in the [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (KHL). For the second year in a row, and the second time in the team's history, the Predators won a first-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs, defeating the Red Wings in a best-of-seven series 4–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Predators Eliminate Redwings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/sports/hockey/nhl-hockey-roundup.html|access-date=April 21, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2012}}</ref> However, for the second year in a row, the Predators were ousted in the Western Conference second round, this time to the [[Phoenix Coyotes]].

[[File:Sheaweber.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The Predators signed [[Shea Weber]] to a 14-year contract in 2012, after the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] made a front-loaded [[offer sheet]] for Weber.]]
The following [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]] was shortened to 48 games as a result of the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]]. The Predators failed to qualify for the playoffs in the shortened season, the first time they failed to do so since the 2008–09 season. After the season, the Predators signed Weber through a front-loaded $110&nbsp;million, 14-year [[offer sheet]], $68&nbsp;million of it as a signing bonus, from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 19. The offer sheet was the richest in NHL history in terms of total money, money per season, and length, surpassing the previous offer sheet record set by [[Thomas Vanek]].

The [[2013–14 NHL season|following season]] saw the departure of center [[David Legwand]], the first player ever drafted by the Predators, the club's all-time leading scorer, and co-leading scorer for the season at the time. Agreeing to waive his "[[No trade clause|no-trade clause]]", he was traded on March 5, 2014, to his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings, in exchange for prospect forward [[Calle Järnkrok]], forward [[Patrick Eaves]] and a third-round pick in the upcoming [[2014 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2014/03/05/nashville-predators-trade-david-legwand-to-detroit-red-wings/6086919/|title=Nashville Predators trade David Legwand to Detroit Red Wings|work=The Tennessean|access-date=February 25, 2018}}</ref> After missing the playoffs for the second season in a row, the Predators opted not to renew the contract of Barry Trotz as their head coach after 15 years, although he was offered an unnamed position within the organization. On May 6, 2014, the Predators announced [[Peter Laviolette]] as their new head coach.

===Peter Laviolette era (2014–2020)===

====Regaining consistency (2014–2016)====
In Peter Laviolette's [[2014–15 NHL season|first season]] as the Predators' head coach, the Predators finished second in the Central Division. Despite having home advantage in the first round of the [[2015 Stanley Cup playoffs|2015 playoffs]], they lost the first round in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks, who went on to win the Stanley Cup. For the following [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]], the Predators named [[Sean Henry (administrator)|Sean Henry]] CEO and then finished as the Western Conference's first wild-card, earning 96 points. By beating the Anaheim Ducks in game 7, the franchise played its first seven-game series and earned its seven-game series win. In the second round, they were eliminated in seven games by the San Jose Sharks, who went on to win the conference.

The Predators hosted the [[2016 National Hockey League All-Star Game]] at Bridgestone Arena.

[[File:PK Subban 2017-06-08 1.jpg|thumb|[[P. K. Subban]] during the [[2017 Stanley Cup Finals]]. The Predators traded Shea Weber to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] for Subban in 2016.]]
In the 2016 off-season, on June 29, 2016, the Predators traded Weber to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in exchange for defenseman [[P. K. Subban]]. The trade surprised many hockey fans because the details to this trade were kept strictly confidential until the deal was already made. On September 7, 2016, the Predators announced [[Mike Fisher (ice hockey)|Mike Fisher]] would replace Weber as the sixth captain of the club.

====First Stanley Cup Finals appearance and first Presidents' Trophy (2016–2018)====
In the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17 season]], the Predators finished fourth in the Central Division with 94 points, which earned them the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The 2016–17 season marked the first time the Predators sold out all 41 regular season home games. Their eighth-place finish in the conference gave them a first-round Stanley Cup playoff matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, who finished first in the conference during the regular season.

The Predators [[Whitewash (sport)|swept]] the Blackhawks in four games. This was the first time an eighth [[seed (sports)|seed]] swept a playoff series against the top seed in the conference in NHL history as well as the first time that there had been a sweep by an eighth seed against a top seed in a best-of-seven playoff series in the history of North American major league professional sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wkrn.com/2017/04/20/predators-sweep-blackhawks-with-4-1-win/|title=Predators sweep Blackhawks with 4-1 win|first=Cory|last=Curtis|date=April 21, 2017|website=wkrn.com|access-date=May 17, 2017|archive-date=May 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526043126/http://wkrn.com/2017/04/20/predators-sweep-blackhawks-with-4-1-win/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Predators defeated the [[St. Louis Blues]] in six games, marking the first time the team advanced to the conference finals. On May 16, the Predators became the first team in 20 years (since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997) to achieve 10 straight wins at home in the postseason.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/05/17/sports/hockey/ap-hkn-ducks-predators.html|title=Ducks Resting Up for Aggressive Preds Down 2-1 in West|work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=May 17, 2017}}</ref> On May 22, 2017, the Predators defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6–3 and won the series four games to two, winning the Western Conference, and advancing to the club's first [[Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19441219/2017-stanley-cup-nashville-predators-stanley-cup-finals |title=Colton Sissons' hat trick pushes the Predators into their first Stanley Cup finals appearance |publisher=ESPN |date=May 22, 2017 |access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> In the [[2017 Stanley Cup Finals]], the Predators went down 2–0 against the Penguins before battling back and leveling the series at two, winning games 3 and 4 at home. Returning to Pittsburgh, the Predators lost 6–0 before being eliminated at home 2–0 in game 6.

On April 5, 2018, the Predators clinched their first division title in team history while also claiming their first [[Presidents' Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vingan|first1=Adam|title=Predators win Presidents' Trophy, Central Division, Western Conference in resilient victory against Capitals|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2018/04/05/nashville-predators-vs-washington-capitals-score-nhl-playoffs-central-division-western-conference/478196002/|website=The Tennessean|access-date=April 6, 2018|date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> They defeated the [[Colorado Avalanche]] in the first round of the playoffs in six games, and then lost to the [[Winnipeg Jets]] in seven games in the second round.

====Early playoff exits (2018–2020)====
The [[2018–19 NHL season|next season]] saw the Predators clinch their second consecutive division title, but lost to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs|2019 playoffs]].

The Predators played in their first outdoor game at the [[2020 NHL Winter Classic|2020 Winter Classic]], facing the Dallas Stars at the [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Stars rally to beat Preds 4-2 in Winter Classic at Cotton |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401145667 |website=ESPN |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>

The Predators fired head coach Laviolette on January 6, 2020, with the team sitting at sixth place in the division at the time and a record of 19–15–7.<ref>{{cite web |title=Predators Relieve Laviolette, McCarthy of Coaching Duties |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-relieve-peter-laviolette-kevin-mccarthy-of-coaching-duties/c-313551088 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=January 6, 2020}}</ref>

===John Hynes era (2020–2023)===

====Continued playoff struggles (2020–2023)====
On January 7, 2020, [[John Hynes (ice hockey)|John Hynes]] was hired as the third head coach in the Predators' franchise history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Predators Name John Hynes Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-name-john-hynes-head-coach/c-313572802 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=January 7, 2020}}</ref> In Hynes' first game as coach, [[Pekka Rinne]] became the second Predators goaltender to score a goal in a 5–2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Predators' Pekka Rinne becomes 12th NHL goalie to score a goal |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28456122/predators-pekka-rinne-becomes-12th-nhl-goalie-score-goal |website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 10, 2020 |date=January 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gretz |first1=Adam |title=Goalie goal! Rinne scores goal as Predators get first win for Hynes (Video) |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/01/09/pekka-rinne-goalie-goal-nashville-predators-john-hynes-first-win/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=January 10, 2020 |date=January 9, 2020}}</ref> The team's season would come to an abrupt end two months later when the league suspended operations due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The Predators advanced to the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs|2020 playoffs]], but were defeated by the [[Arizona Coyotes]] in the qualifying round. The Predators returned to the playoffs in [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs|2021]], but were defeated by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in the first round.

The Predators hosted the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] at [[Nissan Stadium]] in their second outdoor game, the [[2022 NHL Stadium Series|2022 Stadium Series]], on February 26, 2022, losing 3–2 in front of a crowd of 68,619.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning spoil Predators' outdoor debut in Nashville, 3-2 |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401349967 |website=ESPN |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=February 26, 2022}}</ref> They clinched the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs|2022 playoffs]], but were swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion [[Colorado Avalanche]] in the first round.

In February 2023, David Poile announced that he would retire as general manager of the team at the end of the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]], and that former head coach [[Barry Trotz]] would succeed him, effective June 30, 2023.<ref name="Gulitti"/>

===Andrew Brunette era (2023–present)===
On May 31, 2023, Trotz announced that the team had hired former player [[Andrew Brunette]] as the fourth head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Predators Name Andrew Brunette Head Coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-name-andrew-brunette-head-coach/c-344661764 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> In the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]], the Predators finished as the first wildcard, but lost to the [[Vancouver Canucks]] in six games in the first round of the [[2024 Stanley Cup playoffs|2024 playoffs]].