Nashville Predators: If the team wants to win, four players must step up…now
Another tough loss for the Nashville Predators leads to more concerns over the roster. With dreams of winning the Stanley Cup in their minds, four players must improve their play. Now.
There is no doubt the Nashville Predators want to contend for the Stanley Cup. After an amazing run to the NHL’s crown jewel of games, hopes and dreams of the team and all of Smashville is to make a return. Despite the off start to the season, those dreams are still possible. But, they are dimming just a bit.
When you look at the roster, you see talent. Possibility. Ability to score and defend at the highest level. And the physicality to push opponents away from the net. However, it is not happening. At least not yet.
Injuries to major pieces are forcing coach Peter Laviolette to mix-and-match lines like my kids do socks. The lack of production from some players is alarming, and the minutes being played by others is arresting.
The facts are simple. The Nashville Predators need some players to step up now. The team cannot rely solely on Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Viktor Arvidsson. The balance of goal-scoring is heavily on the front lines. Because of that fact, the Predators are last in the NHL in even-strength goals. They are 10 goals behind the 15th place team, the Washington Capitals. As for overall scoring, the Predators are tied with two teams for 28th. Only the Edmonton Oilers have scored less goals.
We can all agree improvements must be made. The road trip should help building chemistry. Eight days of being around each other while traveling means opportunities for quality time. Still, if the Nashville Predators want to win consistently, four players must step up their games. Sooner than later.
Ryan Johansen
The talk coming into the season was first-line center Ryan Johansen‘s ranking as one of the best centers in the league. Certainly, scoring 61 points last season helps. After signing a major contract in the off-season, Johansen is not performing up to expectations.
The stats back up my opinion. So far, Johansen is averaging half a point per game this season. After 12 games, he still has yet to but the biscuit in the net. He in on pace for a 40 point season.
What makes those numbers most appalling are the advanced metrics. Johansen is matching his CorsiFor (55.9) from last year so far this season. That is his best in his career. He is on pace for his best Fenwich rating, and is starting in the offensive zone more now than ever. However, he only has 17 shots on goal, or 1.42 shots per game. All in all, it means he is scoring less while in positions to score more.
The Predators need Johansen to find the back of the net a few times. If he does, the rest of the offense will open up. As it stands, opponents can back off from Johansen and focus on other forwards on the ice.
Alexei Emelin
Maybe it is the fact Ryan Ellis is not in the line-up, forcing Alexei Emelin to play more out of position. By that, I mean he does not need to be on the second line. Or the first. However, with Ellis out and Josi missing some time, Emelin has played everywhere.
To his credit, some moments we watched transpire were not totally his fault. A couple plays in the game versus the New York Rangers were just poor luck. Still, there are several plays in which Emelin was just poor.
He is still on pace for 220 or more hits, 120 blocks, which are career averages. But his 11 giveaways puts him on pace for a career high as well. Emelin trails Forsberg and P.K. Subban in that category, but the team is relying on their stars too much.
It is not all bad, however. Giving the poor moments, Emelin’s PDO rating is 102.1. (For what it’s worth, Cody McLeod has a 107.0 rating.) And, even though his CorsiFor is 47% on the season, he has six games in which he rated 50% or higher.
Certainly, the roster issues are not helping. Emelin does have solid moments for the Predators. However, he needs to be on the third pairing. I guess that means Samuel Girard needs to play more. (Spoiler Alert: He does.)
Colton Sissons
Maybe it is the disallowed goal from the Stanley Cup. Or, it could be that he is starting in the offensive zone only 33.7% of the time. Whatever it is, Colton Sissons needs to score. We know he can. He notched 12 points in the playoffs last year. Sure, most of those points came at home, but the fact he did it in the playoffs is important.
The truth is, Sissons is a hot-cold player. When he does score, it usually comes in bunches. Since he is averaging the second most minutes at the center position, three points is not enough. Sissons has two goals on just 19 shots, creating a 10.5 percentage.
Maybe it is partly the combination of players on Sissons’ line. The combination of Sissons, Kevin Fiala, and Craig Smith account for almost 7% of all ice time for the Nashville Predators. Both of these line-mates are facing struggles to start the season as well. Still, they both have more points than Sissons.
The need for Sissons to make clean passes and find Fiala or Smith breaking toward the net is apparent. However, he is already halfway to his career high in giveaways. Let’s hope this changes. And soon.
Calle Jarnkrok
Opening statement: Let’s no longer speak of the off-season decision to protect Calle Jarnkrok. He is on the team and we must move ahead. The discussion is old.
With that statement made, Jarnkrok has to do something positive. Of course, is he a center or a winger? Once Nick Bonino returns, the second and third forward lines should be solidified. But, where does that leave Jarnkrok.
On pace to play every game this year – he played in 81 each of the last two seasons – Jarnkrok is below career averages on scoring. At his current rate, he will finish the year with 24 points. To complicate matters, his CorsiFor (45.6) is far below expectations.
The potential to perform is there. For two consecutive seasons, Jarnkrok acheived 30+ points. With 69 games left to play, the Predators must see the promise of scoring become reality. Tallying his 50th career assist on a goal by Josi versus San Jose was a good sign.
Is there more to come? All in all, the start to the season is better than last year. Well, at least in terms of record. We know it was the second half of the year that pushed them to the playoffs. Should the next few games go against the Nashville Predators, it will take a similar run. The Western Conference appears better this season.
Next: Shifting lines are killing offense
For success to be obtained, Jarnkrok and company must step up.