NASHVILLE PREDATORS 2008-09 MEDIA GUIDE - NHL.com

Management & StaffManagementdavid Poile PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS/GENERAL MANAGERNashville Predators GeneralManager David Poile hasbeen a top voice in theNational Hockey League for26 years (15 with Washington,11 with Nashville), secondonly in consecutive activeseasons as a GM to the NewYork Rangers’ Glen Sather(29 years). His overalltenure as a general managerranks as the seventh longestin NHL history.As the architect of a clubbuilt on speed and skill,Poile saw his aggressiveteam-building plan(implemented from thefranchise’s inception) continue to bear fruit in 2007-08. ThePredators relied heavily on young and talented draft pickssuch as David Legwand, Martin Erat, Dan Hamhuis, RyanSuter, Jordin Tootoo and Shea Weber. Poile also brought inveteran forwards Martin Gelinas, Greg de Vries and RadekBonk prior to the start of the 2007-08 campaign.By reaching the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NashvillePredators became one of just seven franchises (along withCalgary, Dallas, Detroit, New Jersey, Ottawa and San Jose)to reach the postseason in each of the past four seasons.Nashville has recorded 398 points over the last four campaigns(91 in 2003-04, 106 in 2005-06, 110 in 2006-07 and 91 in 2007-08) for an average of 99.5 points per season.The Predators have been one of the top teams in the NHLover the past few seasons. Their 141 wins ranks sixth best inthe league, while 83 home victories since the start of 2005-06 puts them second behind only Detroit in that category. Theclub soared to its highest level yet in 2006-07, finishing theseason with the second-most points in the Western Conferenceand tied for the third-most points in the entire National HockeyLeague. The Predators established franchise records in points(110), wins (51), road wins (23) and goals (272) and have nowwon 100 games total in their last two seasons.Poile was recognized by The Sporting News as its Executiveof the Year following the 2006-07 campaign, an honor hehad received twice previously (1982-83 and 1983-84) andwhich is determined through a vote of his peers. Locally,Business TN magazine honored him as the magazine’s “CEOof the Year” for 2006 based on his consistent and successfultrack record as the team’s architect. During the 2007-08campaign, Poile’s team posted 51 wins and 110 points, bothnew highs in his career.The aggressive team-building plan implemented by Poile fromthe franchise’s inception has transformed the organization intoone of the NHL’s most promising clubs. Crucial to the plan’ssuccess is the ability to make the right selections and developthe young prospects. Poile has assembled a bright staff ofpersonnel charged with those responsibilities, includingassistant general manager Paul Fenton, and the coaching staff,led by Barry Trotz.Poile has long been a proponent of a strong developmentalsystem as a means to develop promising young players intoproductive NHL players. The Predators’ primary affiliate, theAmerican Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, captured thefirst Calder Cup Championship in franchise history in 2004 andrevisited the Calder Cup Finals in 2006.The Predators had two first-round selections in the 2008 EntryDraft for the first time in club history, selecting forward ColinWilson and goaltender Chet Pickard. Poile, always lookingahead, has already stockpiled 13 picks for the 2009 EntryDraft.With the introduction of a new CBA in 2005, free agencyhas become more of a factor in organizational developmentthan ever before. Poile has added major assets to theclub on the open market in offensive stars such as JasonArnott and J.P. Dumont. He negotiated long-term deals withDumont (four years), Legwand (six years) and Tootoo (twoyears) over the course of the 2007-08 season and thenlocked up young promising players like Erat (seven years),Dan Ellis (two years), Suter (four years) and Weber (threeyears) in the summer of 2008.Poile’s wisdom and experience is clearly valued throughout thehockey world. On June 6, 2008, USA Hockey named him theassociate general manager for the U.S. team that will competein the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. He was alsoselected as one of four NHL general managers to sit on thefirst NHL competition committee in 2005. The steering bodyformulates and recommends rule changes for approval by theNHL Board of Governors. In this role, he helped usher in thenew era of NHL hockey – featuring on-ice innovations suchas the regular-season shootout and the elimination of thered line – while at the same time drawing upon the wealth ofexperience accumulated through his many years in the game.In 2001, Poile was a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award inrecognition of contributions to hockey in the United States.David has devoted his professional career to hockey and theNHL, particularly in non-traditional markets. His late father,Bud Poile, also a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award (1989)and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (1990), servedas general manager of two expansion franchises – first inPhiladelphia (1967) and then in Vancouver (1970). David beganhis professional career as an administrative assistant with theAtlanta Flames expansion franchise in 1972 and spent 10 yearswith the organization before being named general manager ofthe Washington Capitals in 1982.With Washington, Poile took the reins of a team that had nevermade the Stanley Cup playoffs. Over his 15 years there, theCapitals advanced to the post-season 14 times. The 1997-98Capitals, largely comprised of players Poile acquired, advancedto the Stanley Cup Finals. During his 15-year tenure, the Capscompiled a record of 595-454-124 (.559), ranking among theNHL’s top five teams during that span.Poile was instrumental in the league’s adoption of the instantreplay rule in 1991. He was awarded Inside Hockey’s Manof the Year award for his leadership on the issue. Poile alsoserved as general manager of the 1998 and 1999 U.S. nationalteam for the International Ice Hockey Federation WorldChampionships.A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Poile washockey team captain, leading scorer and most valuable playerfor two years, earning a place in the University’s Hall of Fame.Poile also serves as an alternate governor for the team andholds a seat within the franchise’s Office of the President. Heand his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Nashville. The Poiles have twochildren – daughter Lauren and son Brian.nashvillepredators.com 9