Predators GM Poile headed to 1st Stanley Cup Final in 40 years

For the first time in four decades, David Poile has a chance to win it all.

The Nashville Predators long-time general manager has crafted a team that will play in its first Stanley Cup Final next week. It's also a first for Poile, who has been with the franchise since its 1998 inception.

Poile began his career in hockey operations as assistant GM with the former Atlanta Flames in 1977, spending five years with the franchise, including the final two in Calgary following its relocation.

The 67-year-old then arrived in Tennessee after 15 years at the helm of the Washington Capitals, who advanced to the Stanley Cup Final a year after his 1997 firing. In Nashville, Poile would be the architect of the NHL's newest expansion franchise, where 19 years later and he is the longest-tenured GM.

In the early goings in Music City, Poile built a team respected for its work ethic. But in recent campaigns, he's pulled off blockbuster deals to bring in the likes of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and P.K. Subban.

Those moves have transformed the Predators into a juggernaut, one that now has a chance at its first championship.