Nashville Predators: What to Expect from Frederick Gaudreau
By Michael Wade
The Nashville Predators offense could continue to see production from small contracts and big talent. And Gaudreau can lead the way.
Centerman Frédérick Gaudreau entered professional hockey undrafted – signing his first pro contract with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals in 2014. Now, the 24-year old Bromont, QC native has a unique accomplishment to his name.
After the recent postseason with the Nashville Predators, Gaudreau is the first player in over 70 years to score his first three career NHL goals in the Stanley Cup Final. Entering the postseason, the Nashville Predators had a relatively solid center core. However, after injuries to Mike Fisher and Ryan Johansen, the position became a glaring weakness in the Predators roster.
More from Editorials
- Captain Candidates if Nashville Predators Didn’t Have Roman Josi
- How the Nashville Predators Have Trended over Past Five Years
- Three Reasons Nashville Predators can Shock the World in 2023-24
- Three Different Outcomes for Juuse Saros’ Future with Nashville Predators
- Top-5 Nashville Predators Home Games to Attend for Upcoming Season
The team called up Freddie Gaudreau in a time of desperation, when they were in serious need of warm bodies to play center each night. He certainly proved his capability – in eight playoff games, Gaudreau netted three goals, including two game winners against the Penguins in the Cup Final.
How Freddie fits in
Unfortunately for Gaudreau, the Predators have made moves to address the lack of center depth for the 2017/18 season. Specifically, the acquisition of Nick Bonino from Pittsburgh will benefit the team significantly. As it stands now, here are my predictions for the forward lines:
- Viktor Arvidsson – Johansen – Forsberg
- Kevin Fiala – Bonino – Craig Smith
- Pontus Aberg – Colton Sissons – Miikka Salomaki
- Austin Watson – Calle Jarnkrok – Cody McLeod
The observant reader will notice a pretty obvious omission: there’s no Gaudreau in those lines. In all honesty, if I were the Predators, I would try to get creative with Gaudreau’s contributions to the team. While it pains me to say, McLeod should be moved far, far away from a top-16 role during the regular season. Instead, the Nashville Predators should recognize Gaudreau’s scoring ability, relabel him as a right wing, and slot him in either the third or fourth line.
Projected production
So long as the Nashville Predators maintain Gaudreau’s status as a center, I don’t see him starting in more than 25 games next year. If that is indeed the case, I predict we might see him tally 10-15 points. I sincerely hope that I’m incorrect in this prediction; I love his grit and attitude on the ice, and he definitely has the talent to produce bigger numbers.
Until we know for sure, I will be crossing my fingers and hoping the Predators see the light and promote him to a starting role as a winger. The offensive potential of Frédérick Gaudreau is well above several of the forwards that took the ice regularly last season. For now, the center depth has been addressed, but the Predators third and fourth lines could still use an increase in production.
Next: Most effective pairings on defense for Predators
With some creativity, Gaudreau could be the right person to fill that need.