Nashville Predators Need Consistency From Top Players

The Nashville Predators Best Players Need To Be Their Best Players On The Ice

Professional sports have an old adage stating your best players need to be your best players. Lots of truth in that statement. If the Nashville Predators are going to take that leap to the next level of perennial Stanley Cup contender, their best players are going to have to take that leap as well.

Ryan Johansen

Johansen has been a solid addition to the Nashville Predators but they are expecting him to be a number one center. His offensive numbers are in line with that of low end number one’s but with his size and skill set, he has the ability to be dominating. Some questioned his work ethic. That doesn’t seem to be an issue, especially as of late. Johansen has to find it in himself to take that next step forward and be the player the Predators need him to be.

James Neal

In acquiring Neal from the Pittsburgh Penguins a few years back the Nashville Predators knew they were getting a true sniper, something the team has lacked since the Paul Kariya years. While Neal is a solid goal scorer he needs to be more consistent in his overall game when he’s not putting the puck in the net. When he’s on his game he’s scoring, playing physical and is defensively responsible but when he’s not scoring he tends to disappear. Neal needs consistency and being that he’s an alternate captain, he needs to lead by example.

Roman Josi

With the trade of Shea Weber to Montreal there was a worry amongst Predators fans that Josi’s game would suffer. Josi is still a dynamic player. Offensively he has fallen off some since Weber left. The flip side to that is Ryan Ellis has become arguably the best overall defender the Predators currently ice. Josi contributing offensively, like he has in the past, will be a boon to the Predators overall success.

Filip Forsberg

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Forsberg had a slow start the season. While contributing assists Forsberg was not scoring many goals. Once he started scoring goals in January he has been one of the best in the NHL over the last month. Forsberg is a fantastic young player that is dynamic and can be downright dominant at times. There are times when he tries to do too much and that can hurt the team. Forsberg needs to simplify his game some when he’s not scoring. As he matures he should gain some consistency in his overall game.

PK Subban

Possibly the most polarizing player on the team currently. Subban was an acquisition via trade for the heart and soul of the team, Shea Weber, in the offseason. Whether he likes it or not, the fan base is fickle in its assessment of him. Many are waiting for the end to end rushes as promised. Fans are also waiting for Subban, the former Norris trophy winner, to be a dominant player that collects a nine-million-dollar salary. Before being sidelined with a speculated back injury Subban started showing signs of being the dominant player many were expecting.. Subban’s greatest value is his playoff play. Will he be the same Subban that treated the Canadiens’ fans to heroics or will he fall short? Whatever happens, Subban has to raise his game to another level the Predators fans have yet to see.

Other players on the Predators that have had their ups and downs as well but these are the guys that the staff and fan base rely on to get it done night in and night out. If they raise their play to another level, the Predators will make the playoffs. Once there, they will need to raise their level of play yet again and in doing so should make a deep playoff run. Only time will tell if the Predators find that consistency.

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