Nashville Predators: Successful season can lead to disappointment

The Nashville Predators are in a challenging spot, the one between success and expectation. If they are not careful, it could lead to disappointment.

General Manager David Poile came to the Nashville Predators twenty years ago. To say the team experienced success would be an understatement. In that time, they made 10 playoff appearances, including a trip to the Stanley Cup, and made hockey relevant in the southern United States. Fandom in Nashville is booming.

But, the team must be careful. With the success of the 2016-17 season comes expectations for 2017-18. Expectations to make a stronger push for the playoffs. Talk is already starting to focus on if the Predators can contend to win the division. Fans are excited, ready to show up and cheer like only they can do. However, it can all change extremely quickly.

Look no further than baseball this year.

Cubs Crushed

My introduction into the world of sports started with baseball over 30 years ago. And it was the Chicago Cubs that drew my love. They played all day games at the time, and WGN always showed the games. As a kid, it was great. If G.I. Joe or the Transformers were not on, the Cubs were. And I watched.

That is how I got started with FanSided. I write for Cubbies Crib as well.

In case you missed it, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series last year. Coming into this year, they were the hands-down favorite to win it all. Whether it is the pressure of winning, the return of the curse, or just injury, the Cubs have performed far below expectations. It is hard to watch.

A new era

The Predators not only made the playoffs last season, they played for The Cup. While on their way, the swept their rival Chicago Blackhawk, the top seed in the Western Conference. They beat the St. Louis Blues and the Anaheim Ducks. What they did was amazing.

However, fans are now expecting more. Opponents will not take games for granted. Sure, they say they never do, but let’s be honest, we have all watched games where a team does not really play well.

No one is perfect. Teams are going to have poor performances.

Pressure to perform can weigh down a team. Just look at the Cubs.

Should the Nashville Predators get off to a slow start, or end up at .500 at the All-Star break, talk about changes will happen. Especially if teams lower in the standings beat them regularly.

Was Nick Bonino the right player to sign? Why didn’t the Predators try for (insert player name here) instead? What is wrong with Viktor Arvidsson?

I do not expect fan in Smashville to turn negative on the Predators quickly. That is not the character of this city. But, the team not meeting expectation is real.

No. The Predators do not go out there and think “Oh, we better win this one or the fan will crush us.” That is not in their mind. Talk travels, however. They are on social media. They hear the news. Any prolonged negativity expressed by the fans will get to the team.

Next: Five Predators who can improve in 2017

The pressure to win is real. And the pressure is now on the Nashville Predators.

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