Nashville Predators Fans Need New Jerseys.

Your great Nashville Predators Shea Weber jersey is now considered “vintage”. The impossible happened, and now you need a new sweater.

We have all been there. I still have a navy blue Paul Kariya jersey hanging up in my closet. Many fans may eventually, if they have not already, feel to urge to get a new jersey. Even if you have the jersey of a current player, or still in love with an old one, you can never show enough Nashville Predators love!

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The question is of course who’s jersey to get? There are a few things you want to consider before buying one. Obviously, this is not an exact science…

Odd’s that the player will be there for a few years.
Clearly, this is a guessing game… who would have though Shea Weber would’ve been traded? But there are a few players we can generally predict will be part of the Nashville Predators for a number of years. For that, you have to look at contract length and maybe judge that against their production. Finally, we have the dreaded expansion draft to watch out for.
Players skill level.
Last season I was at a game vs the Dallas Stars where James Neal scored. Of course… the fact that I was there, wearing my gold #18 Neal jersey had a direct correlation 🙂
But there is something to be said for the feeling we get while wearing a jersey of a player while he scores, makes a great pass, delivers a huge hit, stops a 2 on 1, or of course, makes a huge save.
To be a part of a trend, or to be original?
For the past half-decade, it seemed like well over 50% of the jerseys in Bridgestone arena were either Shea Weber or Pekka Rinne. Those have been the most popular players for years and that is an easy train to jump on. But if you want to go outside the box and be one of the few people with a different jersey… there are other routes to go as well.

Sure Deals:

PK Subban
He is signed until the end of the 2021-2022 season. Especially after the price Nashville Predators paid for him, I do not see PK Subban being traded a second time. Barring something dramatic, he will be a Predator for six more seasons.

Filip Forsberg
Also signed into 2022, Prince Filip should be scoring goals for years to come. His jersey will surely be a best seller in the pro-shops.

Roman Josi
#59 doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Josi and PK may soon be the biggest dynamic duo in the league for the next few years.

Wait and see:

Ryan Johansen
He only has one year left on his current contract, however, he is an RFA. Time will tell if David Poile is able to lock him up long-term, or if RyJo is going to want a bridge deal to take him to unrestricted free agency. If he signs long-term early next season, I think it is a smart bet to pick up a #92 jersey. But be aware that he likes #19, if Calle is no longer on the team (more on that in a second) he may want to switch back.

Colin Wilson
Willie is one of the players everybody suspects to be up-for-grabs in next year’s expansion draft. If you think you might want a Wilson jersey, I would wait until after the draft next summer.

Calle Jarnkrok
The sSame thing can be said for Calle. I would wager he gets snatched up by the Las Vegas (Knights/Aces/???). Again, wait until after next summer if you want Calle Jarnkrok sweater.

Mattias Ekholm
While Matty Ek is signed for the next 6 seasons, the Nashville Predators may not wish to take the option to protect 4 D-men in the expansion draft. Smart money says that is exactly what they will do, but David Poile has proven to be unpredictable.

Ryan Ellis
More of the same. If they decide to only protect 3 defensemen, either Ellis or Ekholm are gone.

Avoid:

Mike Fisher
With only 1 year left on his contract, Mike Fisher career in Nashville is coming to a close. Whether or not he retires next year or Poile somehow lets him walk to free agency, I can’t imagine Fisher being here in 3 years.

Mike Ribeiro

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Also in the twilight of his career, Ribeiro has soured on many Nashville Predators fans after his playoff performance this past off-season. Combine that with past off the ice issues and a Ribeiro jersey may not be the best investment.

Pekka Rinne
The emergence of Jusse Saros in the minors, who appears to be the goalie of the future, may put a ticking clock on Pekka’s career in Nashville. Secondly, if you want to be original, a Rinne jersey is not the way to go. However, Pekka Rinne will always be in the hearts of Nashville Predators fans, there are worse jerseys to own if you want a collection.

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These are just a few ideas and no jersey is ever a mistake. Comment who you all think will be on your next jersey as PredLines is curious to what the rest of the fanbase is feeling.

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