Nashville Predators: Top Five Reasons for Success in 2017-18
#5 Young Talent
It is safe to assume that the Nashville Predators team that will take the ice this upcoming season will look drastically different from they did the previous year. Nashville lost quite a few veterans during the offseason. James Neal, Collin Wilson, Vern Fiddler, and P.A. Parentaeu are a few of those departing. Another who has recently announced his retirement is former captain, Mike Fisher. James Neal’s offensive ability will surely be missed, but Mike Fisher will be missed just as much, if not more.
As it is looking now, there are several roster spots that will need replaced. The additions of Nick Bonino and Scott Hartnell through free agency will definitely help, but it will not fill that void entirely. Younger players are going to have to step up and start competing at the highest of levels. This might not be a bad thing, though.
The Nashville Predators became riddled with injuries towards the end of last season and especially in the playoffs. They became heavily reliant on young players who spent most of their time at the AHL affiliate, Milwaukee Admirals. Players like, Pontus Aberg and Freddy Gaudreau were just a couple of players who stepped up in major ways for Nashville. Now, they are going to have to do it for an entire season.
In addition to the before mentioned players, Kevin Fiala and Colton Sissons can be added to the list. Both saw significantly more playing time in Nashville than the other two. However, they are still viewed as young players with tremendous upside. These four young men have the potential to be special players in Nashville, as we have already seen glimpses of what they are all capable of. Now, the 2017-18 season could be the year when it all comes together.
#4 Home Ice Advantage
After last season’s Stanley Cup run, I do not think there is anyone who can question how much this city loves their hockey team. Fans from all across Tennessee flocked to Nashville during the playoffs. In front of a national audience, multiple times, the fans let everyone know just how intimidating it is to come and play in Smashville. It was not just during the playoffs, though.
All season long the fans of the Nashville Predators made Bridgestone Arena one of the toughest venues to play in. Fan support was at an all-time high, well before the playoffs started. The numbers back this up too. Every single game during the 2016-17 season was a sellout, and the fan support translated over to the players’ success, as well.
The Nashville Predators finished their season with 94 points. Nashville won 56 of those while playing on home ice. The home record speaks for itself. The Predators were one of three teams that had single digit regulation loses at home. And there were only five other teams that had more points at home than Nashville. It was pretty obvious that if Nashville was playing at home, there was a high chance they would win.
This success translated to the playoffs, too. The Predators’ home ice advantage was second to none. They did not even lose a game in Nashville until the Western Conference Finals, where they lost in overtime to Anaheim in game four. Nashville would lose once more at home to Pittsburgh, but that was it. They had 11 home games during the playoffs and won 9 of them. There is no reason that this won’t carry over to next season, and the fans of the Predators will make sure it does.
#3 Goaltending
Every successful team in the NHL all have one thing in common, and that is solid goaltending. Great forwards and superb defensive play will only get a team so far. If a team has a goalie that can’t stop a beach ball, they likely won’t make it too far. Luckily for Nashville they do not have this problem.
The Predators will be returning veteran goaltender Pekka Rinne for his 10th NHL season. Rinne is still an elite goaltender and he proved that during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year. He had a couple of games that did not go his way, but that does not take away from the magnificent run he had.
Statistically, Rinne is still performing at the top of his game. He had a GAA 2.42 in the regular season. He lowered that number to 1.96 during the playoffs. The league average was a 2.59, much higher than Rinne. His save percentage was at .918. For reference, Rinne’s career save percentage is a .917.
Sure, it is safe to assume that his play might drop a little bit. But, that happens to any player as they age. As we stand now, though; Pekka Rinne is an elite, top-10 goaltender in the NHL. However, should he falter, Nashville has a strong goaltender as his backup, Juuse Saros.
#2 The JOFA Line
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.
#1 The Defensive Core
There is no doubt that the strongest unit for the Nashville Predators is their defensive core. The top-4 is likely the best top-4 unit in the entire NHL. You know your team has a great defense when P.K. Subban is on that team and plays on the second line. In fairness, the Predators do not really have a 1st and 2nd line. It is more of a 1a and 1b situation, but the point still stands.
The defensive group will be a major reason for Nashville’s success next season. There are not going to be many teams that will be able to match up well, and that will be in Nashville’s favor. Teams do not play with four defensemen, though. So, what about the other two?
Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis will likely be the 1st pair while Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban will be the second. Behind them is still a mystery. On the roster is Matt Irwin, Yannick Weber, Anthony Bitetto, and Alexei Emelin. We are still not sure what will happen with Emelin, but if he is on the team when the season rolls around he will likely be a member of that 3rd line. Who joins him likely won’t be decided until the preseason, and even then a rotation is still a possibility.
Several things about the Predators are still up in the air at this point. There are several positions still up for grabs. But one thing that is for sure, when it comes to Nashville’s success, the defense will lead the way.