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Nashville Predators: Top Five Reasons for Success in 2017-18

By Treigh Patterson

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Pregame lighting ceremonies prior to game 3 of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators on June 3, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Pregame lighting ceremonies prior to game 3 of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators on June 3, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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#2 The JOFA Line

NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 17: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators jumps into the arms of teammate Ryan Johansen #92 after scoring the game-tying goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 17, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 17: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators jumps into the arms of teammate Ryan Johansen #92 after scoring the game-tying goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 17, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

One of the most exciting things about the Predators I am looking forward to next season, is being able to watch a full year of the JOFA line. Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson combined to be the hottest group for Nashville last year, and I do not think anyone expects that to change heading into next season.

Filip Forsberg had his second consecutive season of scoring 30+ goals. Forsberg was a streaky player last year, but that could be credited to the constant changing of the lines. Now that he has some stability playing with the same two people, there is no telling what kind of numbers he will put up.

Viktor Arvidsson also scored over 30 goals last season. He might not be the most talented guy on the roster, but there is nobody who will out hustle him.  His breakout party started almost two years ago, and now Arvidsson will be getting 1st line minutes. There should be no reason he can’t produce better than he ever has before.

The last member of the JOFA line is Ryan Johansen. Recently signed for an additional eight years, he might be the most important component of the JOFA line. The Predators finally have their true number one center. And he is not going anywhere anytime soon. Johansen only scored 14 goals last season, but he did have 47 assists, which was a career high. Johansen is certainly capable of scoring 30 goals in a season, and a full year of playing on the JOFA might just might make that happen.

We all know that the JOFA line is going to be good, we just do not know how good they will be. No matter what, one thing is certain, as long as the JOFA line is intact, Nashville will find success.

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