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Nashville Predators Biggest Problem is League Parity

By Chance Humphrey

Dec 15, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and left wing Filip Forsberg (9) react after a loss against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena. The Wild won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and left wing Filip Forsberg (9) react after a loss against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena. The Wild won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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An NHL franchise’s success is built upon the draft. Not only in a team’s ability to secure future stars in the first round or sniffing out steals in the later rounds (cough cough… Viktor Arvidsson), but in dealing draft selections as currency throughout the rest of the season and offseason (via trades, etc.).

Holding a high draft position is invaluable. For example, the Nashville Predators held the 4th overall draft pick in 2013- the best drafting position the franchise had had since their inaugural draft (the team has never had a #1 overall pick).

At the four slot they selected Seth Jones, who in time was traded for center Ryan Johansen (himself a former 4th overall draft pick). Not coincidentally, Ryan Johansen is currently the team’s leading scorer. That’s the difference draft position makes.

And how did the Predators get such a high draft position in 2013? By being bad in 2012. That’s parity- the worse the team places, the better draft position they get the following year, with the idea being that no team and its fanbase stays locked in the cellar forever.

And does it work? Let’s take a look across the league:

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