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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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Over the past decade, the Nashville Predators haven’t even averaged a first-round pick per year. Their highest selection was the aforementioned 2013 4th-overall position (Seth Jones), and they have only had one other top-10 pick during that stretch (Colin Wilson at 7th overall in 2008).

  • Tampa Bay Lighting (2008-13)- 6 Years, 8 First Round Picks, 4 Top-10, 3 Top-3 Picks
  • Pittsburgh Penguins (2002-06)- 5 Years, 5 First Round Picks, 5 Top-10, 4 Top-3 Picks
  • Chicago Blackhawks (2003-08)- 6 Years, 6 First Round Picks, 4 Top-10, 3 Top-3 Picks
  • Los Angeles Kings (2000-10)- 10 Years, 16 First Round Picks, 4 Top-10, 1 Top-3 Pick
  • Nashville Predators (2006-16)- 10 Years, 7 First Round Picks, 2 Top-10, 0 Top-3 Picks

As seen in the listing above, the Los Angeles Kings, who have won 2 Stanley Cup Championships over the past 8 years (with Chicago & Pittsburgh winning 5 of the remaining 6), did so primarily by stock piling first round selections. L.A. held over twice as many first round picks and top-10 picks as Nashville has over the same number of years, and managed to snag Norris trophy winner Drew Doughty with their #2 overall pick.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have more recently made runs into the NHL’s Final Four the past two seasons, but not before being horrible as recently as 2013. Aiding their efforts have been Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, and Jonathan Drouin, all top-3 picks in the draft.

The drafting process isn’t a science, and there’s no guarantee that a high draft position automatically equates bringing in a new franchise superstar (ahem… Nail Yakupov). But the deeper in the round a selection is made the more up in the air the odds for success become.

Look no further than the Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers, now both competing at high levels after years of being laughing stock material. Their poor play has transformed into high-end talent on the ice, and parity is handing them their chance to shine.

So what has parity dealt the Nashville Predators?

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