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Nashville Predators: Predlines staff debates impact of younger players

By Corey Francis

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators looks on from the bench during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 4, 2018 in New York City. The Nashville Predators won 3-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators looks on from the bench during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 4, 2018 in New York City. The Nashville Predators won 3-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators looks on from the bench during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 4, 2018 in New York City. The Nashville Predators won 3-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Nashville Predators looks on from the bench during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 4, 2018 in New York City. The Nashville Predators won 3-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Teams rely on their stars to produce consistent scoring opportunities. However, which Nashville Predators rotation play will have a major impact?

Two games into the 2018-19 season and the Nashville Predators have four early points. Victories over the City of New York showed promise of what is to come on the season. Star level players came through with big performances and leading the team to solid wins. It is the start we all hoped we would see.

The play of several Predators should be noted. Craig Smith is a man on fire, skating with great passion up and down the ice. His CorsiFor% sits at a respectable 55.77, and he sits atop the team with a ixGF/60 of 2.17. He was rewarded with his first goal of the season on Saturday against the Islanders. Viktor Arvidsson is second on the team at 1.06 in ixGF/60, even after his two-goal performance on Saturday. That is a testament to Smith’s work on the season so far.

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Kyle Turris is also performing well. He leads the team in Primary Points/60 at 4.17. And, the Predators have yet to let a goal in for their opponent while Turris is on the ice. Granted, it is just two games, but it seems as the second line of the Nashville Predators is performing extremely well.

We should expect this, though. Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Arvidsson. Smith, Turris. These are best forwards on the team. Their regular contribution is what is required. What about the rest of the team? There are several quality role players who provide solid impacts, pushing the Predators to victory.

Which of the following players will have a greater impact on the Nashville Predators this season: Frederick Gaudreau, Ryan Hartman, Zac Rinaldo, or Eeli Tolvanen? Here are our answers in our weekly roundtable.

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