Nashville Predators: Top 3 Things Coming Back to Nashville
The JOFA Line
The biggest thing that is returning to Nashville next year, is the JOFA line. Consisting of Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, and Ryan Johansen, this line was the third best offensive line in the entire NHL last season. This line contains two 30+ goal scorers in Forsberg and Arvidsson, both of whom were top 25 in the NHL in scoring last season as well. Skating in between those two elite wingers is Johansen, a center who had the 11th most assists in the league last season. This line alone scored 35% of the Predators goals this past season, and almost 30% of all Predator points.
These three were the offensive leaders for Nashville this year. Arvidsson and Johansen both tallied 61 points, and Forsberg, 58. Long story short, this line anchors the Nashville offensive attack, with aggressive and frequent goal scoring. They zip up and down the ice together, and ferociously forecheck. Arvidsson and Forsberg are deadly scorers who have the ability to snap off quick, accurate shots from anywhere in the zone.
They work perfectly with Johansen, as the best aspect of his game is his ability to possess the puck, and fit it into tight spaces. It is as good a line as you can find anywhere in the NHL. With that line maturing, and gaining even more chemistry together, the sky is the limit.
The Core Four
The next best thing that the Predators are bringing back, is their four best defenders. P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, and Roman Josi. Similar to the JOFA line, this core group of blueliners, is as solid and diverse a defensive team as can be assembled in the NHL. Subban is a hard-nosed defender who can really do it all. He quarterbacks the team well when he’s on the ice, and is able to see it all. Ellis is a scrappy corner man, who rides the boards. He is crafty in his play, because of his small stature. He makes opponents pay with his hip checks and electric shot, and scares the feeble-hearted with his aggressive beard.
Ekholm is a big, strong enforcer, who is a solid defenseman in all areas of the game. He moves well, fires strong and accurate passes, and can snap off a laser shot. Josi is a offensively-minded defender, who skates like a forward, sees the ice like a forward, shoots like a forward, but also plays defense like an All-Star.
These four provide a unique set of options for HC Peter Laviolette, as he can throw any combination together, and receive exciting and productive results. Keeping this core four together was David Poile’s top priority this offseason. Poile has built the Predators around his top four defenseman, and intends to keep them together for many years. Subban and Ekholm are both signed thorough the 2021-2022 season. Josi is inked through 2020, and Ellis through next season. This group of defenseman is the foundation of the Predators’ success, as every good team flies or dies with its defense.
#35
Lastly, Pekka Rinne. Rinne has been the centerpiece of the Nashville Predators organization for the last nine seasons. Pekka has been through it all with this organization. He has ridden it out with a city that has only recently learned the game of hockey. Every Predator fan loves #35, and he loves every fan back. If you haven’t read his article in The Players’ Tribune, you can see just how much he loves you.
Pekka was the original anchor for the Predators. He has a career .917 save percentage and a 2.38 GAA. He led the team into the playoffs many times, and never quit on the franchise, even when the Predators were unable to get past the second round. There have been doubters as to how many years Pekka has left before he hangs up the skates, or is replaced. At 34 years old, no one really knows how much Pekka has left in the tank. From a fan’s perspective, I would love to see two more good years.
Rinne has played some very good hockey for Nashville over the years. As he has gotten older though, his game has started to slow down. Pekka would show flashes of younger glory every so often, but often fall into slumps. He is a streaky player, and always has been. Rinne went on no better streak in his illustrious career though, as his playoff performances just a few months ago. #35 was a brick wall in net. With a 1.96 GAA and .930 save percentage in 22 games, Pekka was as good a goalie as one could imagine.
Although Pekka makes fans scratch their heads sometimes, and wonder why he’s still in net, the reason is those 22 games. When Rinne is on his game, he is virtually unbeatable, and always has been. The Predators need Pekka to play a full season of playoff hockey next year. The roster around him is as solid and explosive as he has seen in his nine years. The ball is now in his corner to help push the Predators to another Stanley Cup run.
What does all this mean?
Simply put, the JOFA line, the core four, and #35 are the keys to any success that Nashville has next season. All offense travels through Johansen, Forsberg, and Arvidsson, so their play is hugely important. If that line is clicking, the Predators are in good shape, and an offensive force to be reckoned with.
The Predators’ top four defenseman generate everything that happens on the ice. Nashville has always been a defensively minded team, so it’s no surprise that they have such a solid blue line. Subban, Josi, Ellis, and Ekholm are such a diverse and reliable group, that fans and Coach Laviolette can put full faith in their ability to lead the franchise.
Rinne is certainly aging, but that does not mean that he cannot still be the cornerstone of the franchise. Sure, there is a load of younger, flashier, more exciting talent around him, but that doesn’t change the persistent need for solid goaltending. Pekka is as good as they come, when he is on his game. Rinne displayed his true, brick wall ability during last postseason. If Pekka can put up a year full of performances like he did in the playoffs, the Predators will thrive.
The Nashville Predators are in as good a shape as they have ever been. The roster is full of young, intriguing talent and the city is behind the team. . Although last season’s run was unexpected, the Predators showed the hockey world that they belong in the conversation of Stanley Cup contenders.
Next: Line combinations that should be considered
October can’t come fast enough.