2010-11 Nashville Predators Preview: Built From Within

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Predators

When you're talking about the best teams in the NHL in terms of player development, the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils are probably the two teams that will get mentioned first (and for good reason). Not far behind them has to be the Nashville Predators. And while the Predators don't always get the same recognition or attention, the front office, led by general manager David Poile and assistant general manager Paul Fenton, has been steadily churning out NHL players since the team joined the NHL 12 years ago.

The team has known only one general manager (Poile) and head coach (Barry Trotz) in its existence, providing the type of rare stability in a front office that you don't usually see today in professional sports. The only bench boss in the NHL that's had a longer tenure than Trotz, for example, is Buffalo's Lindy Ruff.

All they've done while in charge of the Predators is operate in a small market, on a tight budget, build an expansion team from the ground up and turn it into a consistent playoff contender.

This year's squad is filled with home-grown players, with as many as 13 players being drafted and developed by Nashville. The list includes top-pairing rearguards Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, as well as starting goaltender Pekka Rinne.

 

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