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David Legwand
David Legwand - Buffalo Sabres.jpg
Legwand with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016
Born (1980-08-17) August 17, 1980 (age 44)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position Center
Shot Left
Played for Nashville Predators
EHC Basel
Detroit Red Wings
Ottawa Senators
Buffalo Sabres
National team Flag of the United States.svg United States
NHL Draft 2nd overall, 1998
Nashville Predators
Playing career 1999–2016

David A. Legwand (born August 17, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a forward for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). David was the very first player ever chosen by the Nashville Predators in the NHL Draft. He played with the Predators for 12 full seasons and set many team records. Towards the end of his career, he also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres.

David Legwand's Hockey Journey

Starting Out in Hockey

David Legwand went to Grosse Pointe North High School. When he was younger, he played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 1993 and 1994. He played for the Detroit Little Caesars team.

He then played junior hockey for the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL. In the season before he was drafted into the NHL, he scored 54 goals and made 51 assists. This added up to an amazing 105 points! He also won the Red Tilson Award, which is given to the best player in the OHL.

Joining the Nashville Predators

Before the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators wanted to pick David. Their general manager, David Poile, made a trade to get the second overall pick. This allowed them to draft Legwand as the second player chosen in the entire draft.

After getting sick during training camp, David went back to play for the Plymouth Whalers for the 1998–99 OHL season. He also missed some games due to a family loss and playing in the World Juniors tournament. He still had a great season, scoring 31 goals and 49 assists. After the Whalers finished their playoffs, he signed a three-year contract with the Predators. He then played his very first NHL game against the New Jersey Devils.

First NHL Seasons

Before the 1999–2000 season, David was encouraged to gain more weight. He worked with the team's coaches and got stronger. He made the Predators' team for opening night. He scored his first ever NHL goal in a 4–2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. By the end of March, he had 28 points and led all new players with 13 goals.

In his second season, David had a tough start. After making some mistakes in a game, he was benched for the first time. On December 23, 2000, he made history in a game against the New York Rangers. He became the first NHL player to score a goal on a penalty shot in overtime. Since the Predators did not make the playoffs that year, David played for Team USA in the 2001 IIHF World Championship.

During the NHL lockout season in 2004–05, David played hockey in Switzerland. He played for a team called EHC Basel.

Legwand2011
David Legwand playing for the Nashville Predators in May 2011.

After several years of losing in the first round of the playoffs, David and the Predators finally made it to the second round in 2011. This was a first for the team and for David's career. However, they were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks in six games.

In November 2005, David hurt his knee. Before returning to the Predators, he played two games in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played for the Milwaukee Admirals to get back into shape.

On March 5, 2014, David was traded from the Predators to the Detroit Red Wings. This trade happened in his final year of contract with Nashville. He left Nashville as the team's all-time leader in points, goals, and games played. He played 956 games for the Predators.

Later Years in the NHL

On July 4, 2014, David signed a two-year contract with the Ottawa Senators. This happened after the Senators traded their star player, Jason Spezza. In his only season with Ottawa in 2014-15, David brought experience to the team. He helped the Senators make it to the playoffs. He scored 9 goals and had 27 points in 80 games that season.

On June 26, 2015, David was traded again. He went to the Buffalo Sabres along with his Senators teammate, Robin Lehner. They were traded for a draft pick.

David Legwand officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on December 22, 2016.

Life Outside of Hockey

David Legwand is married to Lindsey, and they have two children. Their first child, a son, was born on November 21, 2009.

In January 2015, David and another former NHL player, Derian Hatcher, agreed to buy the Sarnia Sting. This is a team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where David used to play. The deal was approved and completed on March 4, 2015.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1996–97 Detroit Ambassadors NAHL 44 21 41 62 58
1997–98 Plymouth Whalers OHL 59 54 51 105 56 15 8 12 20 24
1998–99 Plymouth Whalers OHL 55 31 49 80 65 11 3 8 11 8
1998–99 Nashville Predators NHL 1 0 0 0 0
1999–00 Nashville Predators NHL 71 13 15 28 30
2000–01 Nashville Predators NHL 81 13 28 41 38
2001–02 Nashville Predators NHL 63 11 19 30 54
2002–03 Nashville Predators NHL 64 17 31 48 34
2003–04 Nashville Predators NHL 82 18 29 47 46 6 1 0 1 8
2004–05 EHC Basel NLB 3 6 2 8 2 19 16 23 39 20
2005–06 Nashville Predators NHL 44 7 19 26 34 5 0 1 1 8
2005–06 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 3 0 0 0 0
2006–07 Nashville Predators NHL 78 27 36 63 44 5 0 3 3 2
2007–08 Nashville Predators NHL 65 15 29 44 38 3 1 0 1 2
2008–09 Nashville Predators NHL 73 20 22 42 32
2009–10 Nashville Predators NHL 82 11 27 38 24 6 2 5 7 8
2010–11 Nashville Predators NHL 64 17 24 41 24 12 6 3 9 8
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL 78 19 34 53 26 10 3 3 6 10
2012–13 Nashville Predators NHL 48 12 13 25 20
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 62 10 30 40 30
2013–14 Detroit Red Wings NHL 21 4 7 11 31 5 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Ottawa Senators NHL 80 9 18 27 32 3 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Buffalo Sabres NHL 79 5 9 14 14
NHL totals 1,136 228 390 618 551 55 13 15 28 46

International Play

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
1998 United States WJC 5th 7 0 0 0 2
1999 United States WJC 8th 6 1 3 4 31
1999 United States WC 6th 6 0 2 2 4
2000 United States WC 5th 6 1 1 2 4
2001 United States WC 4th 9 2 4 6 4
2005 United States WC 6th 7 0 1 1 4
Junior totals 13 1 3 4 33
Senior totals 28 3 8 11 16
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