Nashville Predators: Three Unlikely Potential Breakout Players
By Jake Evans
Colton Sissons
Colton Sissons seems to be as hot as any player right now. Every time you hear about #10, it’s positive. He’s just always getting better. Like Aberg, Sissons was taken in the 2nd round of the 2012 NHL Draft. Although he’s played 109 NHL games over the last 3 seasons, he has only tallied 20 points. The combination of adjusting to the fast paced game, and barely seeing over 10 minutes on ice per game on the 3rd or 4th line has held Sissons down. However, he looks ready to take on a bigger role and be a real offensive threat this season. His hat trick in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals was the eye-opener that convinced me that he is for real.
Colton Sissons' third goal of the night puts Nashville up 4-3 and has the Predators six minutes from the Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/aOEQS2RHP3
— Jeff Bidwell (@AKAJeffBidwell) May 23, 2017
His 12 points in 22 games during the playoffs was a statement. A statement that he’s ready to be a leader on this young Predators team. Sissons was rewarded for his production with 15:04 ATOI in the playoffs, and he made the most of it. He was a real threat on the ice and moved the puck well.
Sissons has already been showing off his improvements this preseason with a goal in three games. He’s already had an increase in his role, as he’s seeing almost 18 minutes on ice per game. If he handles his new responsibility well, he could continue to see that much time during the regular season, and hopefully, finish the year around 45-50 points. Bold prediction, but I think he can live up to the hype for the Nashville Predators.