The 2007–08 Nashville Predators season began October 4, 2007. It was their tenth season in the National Hockey League (NHL).
The 2007 off-season was dominated by the attempted purchase of the Predators by Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie,Canadian businessman to buy Predators , newschannel5.com, May 24, 2007 who signed a letter of intent to purchase the team for at least $220 million.Harless, Bill, Chamber, other business execs to stump for Predators , Nashville City Paper, June 5, 2007 The attempted sale led to widespread speculation that Balsillie intended to relocate the team to Hamilton, Ontario, if the Predators failed to reach a 14,000 paid average attendance in 2007–08, allowing the team to break its lease.Balsillie has deal for Hamilton arena, cbc.ca, May 31, 2007 Balsillie had already entered negotiations on a lease at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton.Burnside, Scott, Balsillie given rights for Hamilton sports complex, ESPN.com, May 31, 2007 Despite calling the negotiations a "contingency plan," Balsillie petitioned the NHL to decide on his ability to relocate the franchise at the same time the NHL Board of Governors voted on his purchase of the team.Tedesco, Theresa, Balsillie raises NHL move , National Post, June 13, 2007 However, the deal was ended by Predators Owner Craig Leipold on June 22, as he informed the NHL that he was pulling out of the agreement due to a lack of a finalized sale agreement and over concerns that Balsillie would relocate the team to Hamilton.Glennon, John, Report: Leipold wants Balsillie out of Preds deal, tennessean.com, June 22, 2007
On August 1, a group led by local businessman David Freeman issued a letter of intent to purchase the Predators.Predators sign letter of intent to stay local - USATODAY.com The sale was approved by the Board of Governors on November 29.ESPN - NHL teams will play each other at least once per season - NHL
In January, it was revealed that former Predators Owner Craig Leipold was purchasing the majority share in the Minnesota Wild.Craig Leipold agrees to buy Wild
Key dates prior to the start of the season:
The 2007 NHL entry draft took place in Columbus, Ohio, on June 22–23. The free agency period began on July 1.
Regular season On November 15, 2007, Martin Erat scored just 19 seconds into the overtime period to give the Predators a 5–4 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Thrashers' Marian Hossa would tie that mark in overtime on December 23, 2007, in a 3–2 Atlanta road win over the St. Louis Blues. Both goals would prove to be the fastest overtime goals scored during the 2007–08 regular season.
Divisional standings
Conference standings
Schedule and results
Regular season
| 1 || October 4 || Colorado || 0 – 4 || Nashville || || Mason || 16,363 || 1–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || October 6 || Dallas || 1 – 5 || Nashville || || Mason || 13,079 || 2–0–0 || 4 ||
| 3 || October 10 || Nashville || 1 – 4 || St. Louis || || Mason || 19,150 || 2–1–0 || 4 ||
| 4 || October 11 || Phoenix || 6 – 3 || Nashville || || Mason || 12,155 || 2–2–0 || 4 ||
| 5 || October 13 || Calgary || 7 – 4 || Nashville || || Mason || 13,152 || 2–3–0 || 4 ||
| 6 || October 17 || Nashville || 1 – 3 || Anaheim || || Mason || 17,174 || 2–4–0 || 4 ||
| 7 || October 20 || Nashville || 0 – 3 || San Jose || || Mason || 17,496 || 2–5–0 || 4 ||
| 8 || October 23 || Nashville || 0 – 6 || Los Angeles || || Mason || 14,026 || 2–6–0 || 4 ||
| 9 || October 25 || Atlanta || 0 – 3 || Nashville || || Ellis || 13,383 || 3–6–0 || 6 ||
| 10 || October 27 || Florida || 3 – 4 || Nashville || || Ellis || 15,767 || 4–6–0 || 8 ||
| 11 || October 30 || Nashville || 1 – 5 || Calgary || || Mason || 19,289 || 4–7–0 || 8 ||
| 12 || November 1 || Nashville || 3 – 0 || Vancouver || || Ellis || 18,630 || 5–7–0 || 10 ||
| 13 || November 2 || Nashville || 4 – 1 || Edmonton || || Ellis || 16,839 || 6–7–0 || 12 ||
| 14 || November 4 || Nashville || 5 – 2 || Chicago || || Mason || 12,086 || 7–7–0 || 14 ||
| 15 || November 7 || Nashville || 3 – 2 || Detroit || SO || Mason || 16,885 || 7–7–1 || 15 ||
| 16 || November 10 || Columbus || 4 – 3 || Nashville || SO || Mason || 15,947 || 8–7–1 || 17 ||
| 17 || November 12 || Nashville || 4 – 1 || Columbus || || Mason || 12,554 || 9–7–1 || 19 ||
| 18 || November 15 || Chicago || 4 – 5 || Nashville || OT || Mason || 15,353 || 10–7–1 || 21 ||
| 19 || November 17 || St. Louis || 3 – 2 || Nashville || SO || Mason || 15,246 || 10–7–2 || 22 ||
| 20 || November 19 || Nashville || 1 – 2 || St. Louis || || Mason || 15,239 || 10–8–2 || 22 ||
| 21 || November 22 || Detroit || 2 – 3 || Nashville || || Mason || 14,346 || 11–8–2 || 24 ||
| 22 || November 24 || Minnesota || 4 – 3 || Nashville || || Mason || 12,639 || 11–9–2 || 24 ||
| 23 || November 29 || Nashville || 6 – 5 || Ottawa || || Ellis || 19,538 || 12–9–2 || 26 ||
| 24|| December 1|| Nashville|| 5 – 4|| Montreal|| SO|| Ellis|| 21,273|| 13–9–2|| 28 ||
| 25|| December 4|| Nashville|| 1 – 3|| Toronto|| || Mason|| 19,400|| 13–10–2|| 28 ||
| 26|| December 6|| Vancouver|| 5 – 2|| Nashville|| || Ellis|| 15,918|| 13–11–2|| 28 ||
| 27|| December 8|| Anaheim|| 2 – 4|| Nashville|| || Mason|| 13,469|| 14–11–2|| 30 ||
| 28|| December 10|| Detroit|| 2 – 1|| Nashville|| || Ellis|| 15,056|| 14–12–2|| 30 ||
| 29|| December 13|| Colorado|| 2 – 1|| Nashville|| || Mason|| 12,456|| 14–13–2|| 30 ||
| 30|| December 15|| Nashville|| 1 – 3|| Colorado|| || Mason|| 16,582|| 14–14–2|| 30 ||
| 31|| December 18|| Nashville|| 2 – 3|| Minnesota|| || Ellis|| 18,568|| 14–15–2|| 30 ||
| 32|| December 19|| Nashville|| 2 – 5|| Chicago|| || Ellis|| 14,151|| 14–16–2|| 30 ||
| 33|| December 22|| Los Angeles|| 3 – 4|| Nashville|| || Ellis|| 15,698|| 15–16–2|| 32 ||
| 34|| December 23|| Nashville|| 3 – 1|| Columbus|| || Mason|| 15,481|| 16–16–2|| 34 ||
| 35|| December 26|| Nashville|| 2 – 5|| Chicago|| || Mason|| 20,511|| 16–17–2|| 34 ||
| 36|| December 27|| Columbus|| 3 – 4|| Nashville|| || Mason|| 14,331|| 17–17–2|| 36 ||
| 37|| December 29|| San Jose|| 5 – 2|| Nashville|| || Mason|| 13,298|| 17–18–2|| 36 ||
| 38|| December 31|| Nashville|| 1 – 0|| Dallas|| || Ellis|| 18,584|| 18–18–2|| 38 ||
| 39 || January 3 || Edmonton || 2 – 5 || Nashville || || Ellis || 12,676 || 19–18–2 || 40 ||
| 40 || January 5 || Minnesota || 1 – 4 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 20–18–2 || 42 ||
| 41 || January 7 || Nashville || 2 – 5 || Anaheim || || Ellis || 17,174 || 20–19–2 || 42 ||
| 42 || January 8 || Nashville || 7 – 0 || Los Angeles || || Mason || 14,751 || 21–19–2 || 44 ||
| 43 || January 12 || Nashville || 1 – 2 || Columbus || SO || Mason || 16,230 || 21–19–3 || 45 ||
| 44 || January 13 || Chicago || 3 – 2 || Nashville || SO || Ellis || 12,484 || 21–19–4 || 46 ||
| 45 || January 15 || Calgary || 0 – 3 || Nashville || || Mason || 11,764 || 22–19–4 || 48 ||
| 46 || January 17 || Anaheim || 2 – 1 || Nashville || || Mason || 14,193 || 22–20–4 || 48 ||
| 47 || January 19 || Nashville || 5 – 2 || St. Louis || || Mason || 19,275 || 23–20–4 || 50 ||
| 48 || January 21 || St. Louis || 3 – 6 || Nashville || || Mason || 13,642 || 24–20–4 || 52 ||
| 49 || January 22 || Nashville || 4 – 0 || Colorado || || Ellis || 15,235 || 25–20–4 || 54 ||
| 50 || January 24 || Nashville || 3 – 4 || Phoenix || OT || Mason || 12,622 || 25–20–5 || 55 ||
| 51 || January 29 || Nashville || 1 – 3 || Boston || || Mason || 14,150 || 25–21–5 || 55 ||
| 52 || January 31 || Columbus || 2 – 4 || Nashville || || Mason || 13,745 || 26–21–5 || 57 ||
| 53 || February 2 || Phoenix || 2 – 3 || Nashville || || Ellis || || 27–21–5 || 59 ||
| 54 || February 5 || Carolina || 0 – 1 || Nashville || || Ellis || || 28–21–5 || 61 ||
| 55 || February 7 || Tampa Bay || 2 – 1 || Nashville || OT || Ellis || || 28–21–6 || 62 ||
| 56 || February 9 || Nashville || 3 – 4 || San Jose || || Ellis || ||28–22–6 || 62 ||
| 57 || February 10 || Nashville || 6 – 3 || Phoenix || || Ellis || || 29–22–6 || 64 ||
| 58 || February 12 || Detroit || 2 – 4 || Nashville || || Ellis || ||30–22–6 || 66 ||
| 59 || February 14 || Chicago || 6 – 1 || Nashville || || Mason || ||30–23–6 || 66 ||
| 60 || February 16 || St. Louis || 1 – 2 || Nashville || || Ellis || ||31–23–6 || 68 ||
| 61 || February 17 || Nashville || 4 – 5 || Minnesota || OT || Ellis || || 31–23–7 || 69 ||
| 62 || February 19 || Edmonton || 4 – 5 || Nashville || || Ellis || || 32–23–7 || 71 ||
| 63 || February 21 || Vancouver || 3 – 2 || Nashville || OT || Ellis || || 32–23–8 || 72 ||
| 64 || February 23 || Dallas || 6 – 3 || Nashville || || Ellis || || 32–24–8 || 72 ||
| 65 || February 27 || Nashville || 4 – 8 || Buffalo || || Mason || ||32–25–8 || 72 ||
| 66 || March 1 || Nashville || 3 – 1 || Dallas || || Ellis || 18,584 || 33–25–8 || 74 ||
| 67 || March 4 || Nashville || 5 – 1 || Edmonton || || Ellis || 16,839 || 34–25–8 || 76 ||
| 68 || March 6 || Nashville || 2 – 6 || Vancouver || || Ellis || 18,630 || 34–26–8 || 76 ||
| 69 || March 7 || Nashville || 2 – 1 || Calgary || || Ellis || 19,289 || 35–26–8 || 78 ||
| 70 || March 9 || Nashville || 3 – 4 || Detroit || || Mason || 20,066 || 35–27–8 || 78 ||
| 71 || March 11 || San Jose || 2 – 1 || Nashville || || Ellis || 14,965 || 35–28–8 || 78 ||
| 72 || March 13 || Los Angeles || 4 – 1 || Nashville || || Ellis || 15,853 || 35–29–8 || 78 ||
| 73 || March 15 || Nashville || 3 – 1 || Detroit || || Ellis || 20,066 || 36–29–8 || 80 ||
| 74 || March 18 || Washington || 4 – 2 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 36–30–8 || 80 ||
| 75 || March 20 || Detroit || 6 – 3 || Nashville || || Mason || 17,113 || 36–31–8 || 80 ||
| 76 || March 22 || Chicago || 1 – 2 || Nashville || SO || Ellis || 17,113 || 37–31–8 || 82 ||
| 77 || March 25 || Columbus ||0 – 3 ||Nashville || || Ellis || 16,330 || 38–31–8 || 84 ||
| 78 || March 28 || Nashville ||2 – 0 || Columbus || || Ellis || 15,595 || 39–31–8 || 86 ||
| 79 || March 30 || Nashville ||0 – 1 || Detroit || OT || Ellis || 20,066 || 39–31–9 || 87 ||
| 80 || April 1 || Nashville || 4 – 3 || St. Louis || OT || Mason || 17,357 || 40–31–9 ||89 ||
| 81 || April 3 || St. Louis || 2 – 3 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 41–31–9 ||91 ||
| 82 || April 4 || Nashville || 1 – 3 || Chicago || || Mason || 21,929 || 41–32–9 ||91 ||
Legend:
Playoffs
| 1 || April 10 || Nashville || 1 – 3 || Detroit || || Ellis || 20,066 || 0 – 1 ||
| 2 || April 12 || Nashville || 2 – 4 || Detroit || || Ellis || 20,066 || 0 – 2 ||
| 3 || April 14 || Detroit || 3 – 5 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 1 – 2 ||
| 4 || April 16 || Detroit || 2 – 3 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 2 – 2 ||
| 5 || April 18 || Nashville || 1 – 2 || Detroit || 1OT || Ellis || 20,066 || 2 – 3 ||
| 6 || April 20 || Detroit || 3 – 0 || Nashville || || Ellis || 17,113 || 2 – 4 ||
Legend:
Player statistics
Skaters Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Regular season Playoffs Player GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM Jason Arnott 79 28 44 72 54 4 1 0 1 4 Jean-Pierre Dumont 80 29 43 72 34 6 0 2 2 4 Alexander Radulov 81 26 32 58 44 6 2 2 4 6 Martin Erat 76 23 34 57 40 6 1 3 4 8 David Legwand 65 15 29 44 38 3 1 0 1 2 Marek Zidlicky 79 5 38 43 63 6 0 3 3 8 Vernon Fiddler 79 11 21 32 47 6 0 0 0 0 Ryan Suter 76 7 24 31 71 6 1 1 2 4 Radek Bonk 79 14 15 29 40 6 1 0 1 2 Dan Hamhuis 80 4 23 27 66 6 1 1 2 6
Goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
Regular season Playoffs Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO Sv% GAA GP TOI W L GA SO Sv% GAA Chris Mason 51 2692 18 22 6 130 4 .898 2.90 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0.00 Dan Ellis 44 2229 23 10 3 87 6 .924 2.34 6 357 2 4 15 0 .938 2.52Pekka Rinne129000001.0000.00000000.0000.00
Awards and records
Records