Nashville Predators: Four burning questions for the 2018-19 season
As the offseason rolls along, the Nashville Predators start looking forward to next season. We have four major questions the team will need to answer.
The NHL offseason continues to roll along, though the pace seems dramatically slower than before. Major names in free agency flew off the shelf early. While the Nashville Predators signed a few players, none are strong candidates for making the opening 23-man roster. All eyes are on one name and one name alone right now. And that is Ryan Ellis.
In all, the Predators signed six players at this point. The most interesting to fans is Zac Rinaldo. The 28-year-old forward spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes, gaining only 7 points and 44 minutes in penalties in 53 games. In his six NHL seasons, Rinaldo has been suspended for 25 total games. Last season alone he served six games for punching Samuel Girard. It makes one wonder why the Predators would be interested in such a player.
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Outside of Rinaldo, Rocco Grimaldi is the most notable player. In 237 career AHL games, the young forward has 161 points. In six NHL games with Colorado, he posted three points. Grimaldi certainly adds depth to the roster and will help build a depleted system in Milwaukee.
While these items are important, there are more serious questions to be asked and answered by the Nashville Predators. Coming off their most successful regular season in franchise history, fans and pundits alike want to see how the Predators respond. What does the 2018-19 season hold? We have four key questions.
Will Watson play?
It is the most shocking news for the Nashville Predators this offseason. Austin Watson, a fan favorite, was arrested for domestic assault in Franklin, TN, on June 16. An affidavit stated Watson and his girlfriend participated in an altercation leading to the Predators’ forward pushing her. The report also says the argument was regarding his girlfriend’s drinking and not being able to attend a wedding.
Watson was released on bond and faces up to 11 months and 29 days in prison if convicted. Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper recused herself from the case due to her marriage to Predators’ Senior Vice President Gerry Helper. Watson is due back in court on July 24.
The issue for the team centers around Watson’s availability to play. Last offseason, Watson signed a 3-year contract. The NHL has no policy on domestic violence. Final rulings on cases come from Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. In 2014, the NHL suspended Los Angeles Kings defensemen Slava Voynov from all activities indefinitely. Voynov allegedly choked, kicked, and pushed his wife while attending a Halloween party.
Before we have any answers, the legal proceedings must finish. The league stated it will monitor the situation before determining how to handle it.
Can Pekka repeat?
For the first time in Nashville Predators’ history, a player received a performance-based award. Coming off the best season of his career, goalie Pekka Rinne won the Vezina Trophy, given to the leagues best at that position. Rinne led the league in shutouts and goals saved against average last season and was among three players who won 40 or more games.
The question remains can Rinne do it again? For much of the season, Rinne shined through. His 83.33% save percentage during high-danger chances was third best in the league. However, Rinne will be 36 years old during the season, the 11th full season of his career.
How much tread is on the tires? In a career filled with consistent play, last season stands out over the rest. Rinne averages 51 games a season, having two years of 43 and 24, due to injury. His .919 save percentage and .582 quality start rate are solid, but not the miraculous we witnessed last year.
Can Rinne continue his stellar play? I hope so. It appeared he simplified his game a bit last season, leading to greater success. But, should he falter, the Nashville Predators would rely on the young backup in Juuse Saros. He certainly showed his ability last year as well.
If Rinne shows last year was not a fluke, we will be in for a real treat.
Can the forwards produce more points?
The 2017-18 Nashville Predators scored 267 goals on the season, the most since 2006-07. It was also the seventh most goals in the NHL on the season. With next season’s roster expected to be the same as last year, there is hope for the scoring trend to continue.
Coming into last year, offensive talk centered on the second line. With James Neal, Mike Fisher, and Colin Wilson all departed, could the new line provide an impact? They certainly did. In 2016-17, the Predators’ second line obtained 134 points. Last season, the most common combination of Craig Smith, Kyle Turris, and Kevin Fiala reached 141 total points.
The front two lines for the Predators can score. But, can the rest of the roster help? The defensemen contributed over 34% of the total points achieved last season. All of the top four defensemen earned 32 or more points, all in the top 11 on the team. This shows a bit of a gap between the top two lines of players versus the bottom two lines.
Nick Bonino played crucial minutes for the Predators last year. Yet, he was used in the defensive zone over 63% of the time, by far the most of his career. He finished with 25 points, below his performance of previous years. Watson had a great season, and Colton Sissons has the best of his career. Together, they can produce more.
The fourth line, however, is where the team could explode. The Predators should have Ryan Hartman for a full season, a healthy Calle Jarnkrok, and (fingers crossed) Eeli Tolvanen. Of course, we don’t know where Tolvanen will play for sure, but the possibilities of 40+ games with him on the ice is exciting.
In order for the team to compete with Winnepeg, they need more offense. It is the bottom two lines who must step it up.
Bang or Bust?
Speaking of Tolvanen, what will we see from him this season. After setting the hockey world on fire last year, much is expected for the young man. And, I do mean young. Entering his first full season as a Nashville Predators, Tolvanen is only 19 years old.
The NHL was spoiled last season by young players. Patrik Laine finished with 44 goals, second best in the league. Clayton Keller had 65 points, Matthew Tkachuk had 49, Pierre-Luc Dubois had 48. Oh, and Nico Hischier finished with 52. What do they have in common? They are 19.
In all, 19 players at the age of 19 played at least one game in the NHL last season. Twelve saw time in over half their team’s games. And ten earned 20 or more points. There is no doubting the potential Tolvanen possesses. We witnessed his ability to score during the KHL season and the Winter Olympics. But, that success does not mean he is the next Laine. Even though 19-year-olds have shown well lately, Tolvanen may not.
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But, still. I can’t wait to see him take the ice in 2017-18.