Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Viktor Arvidsson is the Next Big Star for the Predators

By Chad Minton

Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (38) takes a shot against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) during the second period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (38) takes a shot against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) during the second period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Nashville Predators will need their young players to continue to improve into next season, and Viktor Arvidsson leads that charge.

We learned so much about the Nashville Predators during their historic 2016-17 season, and Viktor Arvidsson could be the best development from it all.

Now the question is if he’s ready to take the next big step and be the consistent scorer that this organization has always lacked.

Arvidsson turned heads with his outburst of goals in 2017, managing 31 regular season goals. That is a 23-goal increase from 2016. Perhaps even more impressive was his plus-minus rating of plus-16. Being so young and inexperienced, that number is amazing.

More from Editorials

How fitting was it that after Arviddson’s great regular season, he opened up the playoffs with the first goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. He continued his great play into the postseason, tallying three goals and ten assists. Young players sometimes fold in big moments, but Arvidsson seems to thrive in them.

More than expected

We all knew he had speed, but some of the highlight reel plays he made relying on speed alone was jaw-dropping. The Predators have really never had a player like him. A player with Arvidsson’s skill-set can absolutely transform their offense. He has the tools to score goals based purely on speed. We’ve already seen it several times.

The Predators have never been an offensive juggernaut. Ever since Peter Laviolette came on board as head coach, this team has gradually became one based on speed. Thanks in large part to Arvidsson’s emergence, the Predators finished 11th in the NHL with 238 goals. That’s their highest goal total since 2006-07 when they scored 266.

Laviolette commented about Arvidsson’s bright future back in April, per Teresa Walker of the Associated Press:

"“You’d like to think that next step is going to happen, and when it does happen you’re more than pleased because it’s a big help for your team.”"

Arvidsson fits perfectly into Laviolette’s style of play. Expect the 30-goal seasons to keep coming, and maybe a couple 40-goal outputs as he matures. Don’t forget that Arvidsson just finished his first full NHL season. His actual rookie season he only played in 56 games.

Lead the way

Everyone thinks of Filip Forsberg as the future for the Nashville Predators offensive attack, and rightfully so. However, you shouldn’t be shocked if Arvidsson, not Forsberg, becomes Nashville’s perennial goal scorer every year. Either way, the Predators have a two-headed monster that can put up crazy goal totals. These two playing on the same line poses nightmares for the opposition.

Arvidsson won’t catch opposing teams by surprise next season. They’ll adjust, making him have to work even harder to remain a 30-goal scorer. If the Predators are going to stay in the Stanley Cup conversation, Arvidsson will be major factor into that for years to come.

Next: The Captain will take time to decide future

The rest of the league is on notice.

Home/Editorials