The Final Frontier On June 25, 1997, the NHL's Board of Governors approved the applications of Nashville (to begin play in 1998-99), Atlanta (1999-2000), Columbus and St. Paul (2000-01), increasing league membership to 30 teams. The $320 million in membership fees was divided among the other 26 members. The expansion was the largest since the NHL doubled in size -- from six teams to 12 -- 30 years earlier. The board also approved extending the Collective Bargaining Agreement by four years, to Sept. 15, 2004.

Mike Dunham was the first player chosen by the Predators in the 1998 expansion draft.