Nashville Predators: Key Free Agents The Predators Should Pursue

Recent Injuries have hurt the Nashville Predators in many places. Young up-and-comers look to help out, but will they be enough?

Injuries can be the death of serious contenders, no matter when they strike. The Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins series would’ve looked way different if both teams were healthy. Ryan Johansen‘s injury sunk the Predators offense in the Stanley Cup Final. But imagine if the injury occurred in the Blackhawks series. The Predators wouldn’t get past the first round, in my opinion.

The Predators were fairly lucky as injuries didn’t strike till late in the playoffs. But they aren’t so lucky this season. Johansen, Nick Bonino, and Kevin Fiala will most likely be ready for the regular season opener. Although if they aren’t, they will be within the first month of the season. But Ryan Ellis is a different story. He’ll be lucky if he’s back in the lineup by new years day. Alexei Emelin looks like a decent replacement but that leaves the bottom pairing exposed.

Should the Predators look at UFAs to shore up their holes? They have six million in cap space and can afford anyone at this point. So, who should the Predators target?