Nashville Predators: Worst-case scenarios for the Predators

Injuries

Nothing impacts a team’s chances of playing up to standard than injuries. When your best players are not available, your team becomes incapable of winning. It is the Kryptonite for ever Superman-line. Just look at the Predators in the playoffs without Ryan Johansen. Sure, they won a few games, but the offense was unorganized at best.

Now, Ellis is out. Nick Bonino is missing parts of the preseason. Kevin Fiala looks great in his rehab, but we will not know for sure until he gets hit.

The first thing that can – and will – impact the Predators from winning will be injuries. They can withstand a few here and there. Should a forward get hurt, pieces can be moved to fill the gap. It may not be the same production, but it will be enough to keep consistency.

On defense? That is an area of concern. Why? Because that is the true heart and soul of the Predators. Ellis is already out. Should P.K. Subban or Mattias Ekholm miss significant time, the Predators will be stressing. As will fans. More concerning would be an injury to Juuse Saros. With the aging Pekka Rinne in (possibly) the twilight of his career, Saros plays an important role. Sure, there are other options, but not to the level of Saros.