Nashville Predators: Grading the Predators offseason activity

With 25 days until the return of Predator hockey and training camp officially underway, we revisit an action packed offseason for the Nashville Predators.

The shortest offseason in Nashville Predators history is almost over. We have less than a month until NHL hockey returns to our televisions. Although the offseason was shorter than ever before, GM David Poile didn’t let that affect his quest for a Stanley Cup. If you’re like many, you might’ve had a hard time following all the Predator-related happenings.

I’m here to break it all down for you. Here’s everything you need to know about what has happened since Patric Hornqvist scored that ridiculous goal in Game 6, that sealed the Predators Stanley Cup fate.

First Round

With the 30th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators selected RW Eelis Tolvanen. Tolvanen is a 5 foot 10 inch Finnish winger, currently playing in the KHL. Tolvanen was NHL Central Scouting’s eighth best skater, which means he was a steal for Nashville at #30. He’s shown great progress so far, and currently has eight points in eight games in the KHL. We could be seeing Eeli very soon in Smashville.

Second Round

In the 2nd round, 61st overall, the Predators chose American center, Grant Mismash. Mismash is a hard-nosed center who also has a surprising amount of finesse in his game. He excelled in the US National Team’s Development Program. Mismash will be playing for the University of North Dakota this year. The future is bright for Mr. Mismash.

Third Round

At #92 overall, the Nashville Predators selected a Ryan Ellis type defenseman, David Farrance. Like Mismash, Farrance was most recently with the US National Team’s Development Program, where he earned NHL Central Scouting’s nod as the 11th best North American defenseman. Farrance is a solid overall defenseman who will be playing with Boston University this season.

Fifth Round

With the 154th overall pick, David Poile chose a dark-horse Czech goalie, Tomas Vomacka. Vomacka put up impressive numbers last season in the NAHL. He is signed to play in the USHL this coming season, then with the University of Connecticut the following year.

Sixth Round

In the 6th round, the Nashville Predators selected Russian winger Pavel Koltygin. He had a stellar season in the QMJHL, where he will return to next season.

Seventh Round

With their last pick in the draft, the Predators chose Jacob Paquette. Paquette is a big-bodied defenseman who had an average season, last year, due to injury. He will return to the OHL for at least another year.

Free Agent Frenzy

GM David Poile went to work in July, when the NHL free agent market opened. The Predators wasted no time, by acquiring former Pittsburgh Penguin, Nick Bonino. Shortly after, defenseman Alexei Emelin was signed, then forward Scott Hartnell. All will be valuable assets to Nashville this season. Bonino should be able to perfectly fit the void that Mike Fisher left. Similarly, Emelin is expected to fill Ryan Ellis’ skates, as he is said to miss the first few months of the season, while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Hartnell is returning to Nashville, the team that drafted him 6th overall in 2000. He is expected to fill a 3rd or 4th line hole.

The Predators did well with their free agent signings, as all necessary needs were addressed, without taking too much of a hit on the salary cap.

Bonino is signed to a 4 year, $16.4 million deal. Emelin is in his last season of a 4 year deal, and will be paid $4.1 million this season. Hartnell inked a 1 year, $1 million deal.

Farewell Captain

On August 3rd, Predators captain Mike Fisher announced his retirement from the NHL after 18 seasons. Fisher played seven seasons for Nashville, and spent last season as the captain. His retirement not only leaves an offensive void on the 3rd or 4th line, but also a void at captain.

GM Poile and HC Laviolette announced this week that they are in no rush to name the next captain. Although training camp has already begun, and the season is less than a month away, the Predators have said that they know who their leaders are. Johansen said that “That’s just something coaches will announce I’m sure when they’re ready”.

The most likely candidates for the Predators 3rd captain in 3 years are defenseman Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi. Although Ellis will miss significant time this season due to recovery from surgery, Laviolette has not ruled him out of contention for the captain’s ‘C’.

Josi was seen leading the Predators last Sunday at the Tennessee Titans home opener. He drove the Titan sword into the field before the game, as a host of other Predators watched.

Departures

For the first time since the Predators came into the league, the NHL had an Expansion Draft. The Nashville Predators lost forward James Neal to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Neal spent 3 seasons in Nashville, where he tallied 136 points in 219 games. He was a physical winger who was a reliable offensive weapon for the Predators.

After Neal, Colin Wilson was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a 2019 4th round pick. Wilson was chosen 7th overall in the 2008 draft, and tallied 237 points in 502 career games. While not as productive as many thought he would be, Wilson was still a solid winger. However, the Predators needed to free the salary cap space for free agent signings, so Wilson had to go.

Injury Update

Throughout the playoffs and offseason, the Nashville Predators were plagued with injuries. First up was forward Kevin Fiala, who broke his left femur during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals in St. Louis. Fiala was having a breakout run during the playoffs, with many key goals and an electric presence on offense. Fiala’s injury was serious and rather gruesome, however Fiala was seen skating less than two months after the injury, and claims to be full healthy now.

After Fiala, center Ryan Johansen went down in the Western Conference Final with acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh. The injury was very serious at the time, however like Fiala, he says that he is completely healthy.

Then came Ryan Ellis. Ellis suffered a knee injury in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, however, played through the injury in Game 6. Ellis had surgery on the knee this offseason, and is expected to be out until December or January while recovering from the surgery.

Solid Turnaround

With the shortest offseason in franchise history, I would argue that the Predators improved significantly. They already have one of the most exciting and talented rosters in the NHL, however Poile found room for improvement. He filled Fisher’s shoes, before Fisher even retired, he signed Ellis’ fill-in, before the severity of Ellis’ injury was known, and he signed James Neal’s replacement.

Johansen and Fiala’s injuries were rough, however they are both back and healthy, just in time for training camp. Arvidsson and Johansen are signed long-term.

Although Ellis is still out for a few months, Emelin should fill in nicely until Ellis can return.

The Predators had a very impressive offseason, especially considering the shorter timeframe.

Next: Nashville Predators: What To Expect This Season From The Defense

25 days until Predator hockey returns to Smashville.