With the preseason ending last Sunday, the Predators have plenty to look forward to. Coming off a Presidents Trophy winning season there is a very high expectation for this Preds roster that has rarely been touched this offseason. To be more successful than last year is easier said than done, but there are a few variables that can poise the Preds for another run at the cup.

5. Defensive Depth

The Predators have arguably the best defensive group in the NHL. Last season it was evident the Preds top 4 defensemen are playmakers in all aspects of the game. The most dangerous aspect being the power play, with 35% their points last season coming from power plays. The issue with the Preds defense last year came from the 3rd pair, usually consisting of Alexei Emelin and Yannick Weber. The top pair of Roman Josi and P.K. Subban averaged over 24 minutes a game contributing 112 points, the second pair of Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis averaged 23 minutes a game contributing 66 points (even with Ellis only playing in 44 games), while the third pair of Emelin and Weber only averaged 14 minutes a game contributing 14 points. To solve the issue on the 3rd pair, David Poile decided to sign the Preds 2001 first round draft pick, Dan Hamhuis. Hamhuis played for the Preds until the end of the 2010 season before playing in Vancouver and Dallas. An extremely reliable defenseman is exactly what the Preds need this season. Hamhuis averaged over 20 minutes of ice time while posting 24 points in 80 games. The addition of  “The Hammer” could take some fatigue away from the Preds top 4 while potentially making Weber a much better line-mate. More production from the Preds 3rd pair could give them an edge that they have been missing for the last two seasons.

4. The Unknown’s

The Preds have plenty of young players to be excited about. The question is who will breakout, and who will get a chance to on this loaded roster? The most talked about youngster is Eeli Tolvanen. Tolvanen had a huge season in the KHL last year posting 36

points in 49 games and putting up two points during his only game for team Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. However, playing in three games for the Preds last season with 0 points and a sub-par preseason, Tolvanen has been assigned to the minors. With a clause in his contract stating after 10 AHL games he is free to go back to Europe, fans are concerned. What Tolvanen needs to realize is that all 27 Predators in training camp have played in the AHL at some point in their careers. The AHL really is a developmental league that Tolvanen should excel in before earing a spot on the Pred’s lineup. Another player to be excited about this season is Frederick Gaudreau, who played in 20 games for the Preds last season but is more well-known for his 3 goals in 8 playoff games during the Predators 2016-2017 playoff run. Gaudreau posted 43 points in 54 games for the Admirals last season and can expect to see more playing time in a Preds uniform during Austin Watson’s absence this season. Remember, the road to Nashville starts in Milwaukee.

3. Breakout Season

Filip Forsberg posted a career high 64 points, Viktor Arvidsson tied his career high of 61 points from the 2016-2017 season, and Kevin Fiala came up big by setting his career high at 48 points last season. This trio of players have only hit the tip of the iceberg by showing what they can do. Each of these players showed their playmaking skills last year by totaling more assists than goals. Another duo that has not reached their ceiling yet is Colton Sissons and Calle Jarnkrok. Sissons had 27 points last season, upping his career high by 17 points from 2016-2017. Sissons expected line-mate for opening night, Calle Jarnkrok, has steadily increased his point total in each of his five seasons in the NHL. With 35 points in only 68 games last year, Jarnkrok exceeded expectations. However, only posting 1 point in 7 playoff games last season was a disappointment for Jarnkrok but overall it looks like the Preds made a good decision protecting him instead of James Neal in the entry draft just a season ago. As progress for each of these players has been made over the last few seasons it is unknown what the ceiling is, but I think it is safe to assume that none of these players have peaked. If each of these guys can continue to progress this season the Preds will poised for another deep playoff run.

2. Goaltending

A surprising issue in the playoffs last season was goaltending. With Vezina trophy winning Pekka Rinne coming off a hot season with a .927 save percentage and 8 shutouts in 59 games, and Juuse Saros posting 3 shutouts with a .925 save percentage in 26 games, the Preds were surprisingly lacking good goaltending in the playoffs lack year. With Rinne posting a .904 save percentage in 13 games during the playoffs many were asking what happened. Turning 36 years old this season, there are plenty of questions surrounding Rinne. To be successful this year it is important to play Saros in close to 35 games this season. Saros is the future of the Preds and has only gotten better with time. It is also important to note that the more Saros plays the better Rinne should be. Allowing your starting goalie to get more rest during the strenuous 82 game season is a major factor to their success. It will be interesting to see how the Preds split time with their two goalies this season and it will be interesting to see how Saros plays compared to Rinne. Regardless of how the Preds split time between their two elite goalies, the Preds should be able to be more effective than ever in the crease this season.

1. Keeping Pace

Craig Smith, Kyle Turris, and Ryan Johansen will play huge roles in the amount of success the Preds have this season. Last season Craig Smith posted a career high 25 goals and 51 points which was his highest point total since he posted 52 points in the 2013-2014 season. Craig Smith has been up and down since he came into the league and it is extremely important for the Preds success that Smith keeps up the pace. Smith’s line-mate, Kyle Turris, is expected to contribute more than he did last season. Turris’ point total of 51 was only the fourth highest of his career in the NHL and his 3 points in 13 playoff games was much lower than anticipated. Centering the Preds lethal second line, consisting of Craig Smith and Kevin Fiala, Turris is expected to be the leader and make more plays especially in a deep playoff run. Centering the Preds top line, a lot is expected of Ryan Johansen. Johansen posted 54 points last season which was also the fourth highest of his career. With Forsberg and Arvidsson paired with him, the JOFA line is one of the most lethal lines in all of hockey. Johansen showed us in the playoffs what he is capable of by posting 14 points in 13 games. With his line-mates improving each season, Johansen is bound to have a career season. If these three players can keep pace and improve just a little bit, the Predators will be one of the most electric teams in the NHL once again.

Written by Matt Klett