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Nashville Predators: Players With Growing Expectations, Pressure Next Season

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates Ryan Ellis #4 and Craig Smith #15 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates Ryan Ellis #4 and Craig Smith #15 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 1: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 1: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 1, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Kevin Fiala

Kevin Fiala made a big jump in his first full season with the Predators, nearly doubling his career goal total. His 23 goals is a nice sign that he’s going to be one of the team’s top scorers for the foreseeable future. Now the pressure is on Fiala to continue that trend on the team’s second line with Kyle Turris and Craig Smith.

The second line was a major factor in the Predators’ regular season success. Fiala deserves a lot of credit for that as he also chipped in 25 assists and logged a Corsi-for percentage of over 60. Extremely impressive for such a young player that still has room to improve.

I’m a firm believer that Fiala has all of the tools to eventually rival Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson as the team’s top goal scorer. There are times when I think he looks more effortless with the puck than Forsberg. He’s a great luxury to have on the second line, but he will have more pressure to keep up that trend. You’re not overreaching to expect Fiala to crack 30 goals next season.

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