Nashville Predators: Three Big Surprises Early in the Season

BROOKYN, NY - OCTOBER 06: Zan Rinaldo (36) of the Nashville Predators lines up against New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck (15) during the New York Islanders game versus the Nashville Predators on October 6, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROOKYN, NY - OCTOBER 06: Zan Rinaldo (36) of the Nashville Predators lines up against New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck (15) during the New York Islanders game versus the Nashville Predators on October 6, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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With a 7-1 blazing start through the first three weeks of the season, the Nashville Predators are cruising along. The teams’ overall play may not be a big shock, but there are few pleasant surprises so far.

You know your fanbase is becoming somewhat spoiled when your team starts 7-1-0 and no one is going too crazy over it. But, that’s the case for the Nashville Predators right now.

As a franchise, the Predators are no stranger to having solid regular season success, but, this time seems different. The hot start is one the best in the teams 20-year history, solidifying themselves as a Stanley Cup contender once again.

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There are a few things that have occurred exactly as they were supposed to. For example, the continued success of the top line that consists of Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, and Ryan Johansen. The chemistry this trio has built helps keep the Predators in the game night after night, combining for 21 points and 11 goals already. At this pace, the Predators top offensive unit would witness their most productive season as teammates.

The Predators already have two shutouts and have given up two goals or less in all but three games. Pekka Rinne going on injured reserve will give Juuse Saros his first test as the teams’ primary goaltender to lean on, but this area will remain a major strength of the team. Here are a few surprises we didn’t see coming in the early going for the Nashville Predators.

EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 20: Nashville Predators Left Wing Zac Rinaldo (36) takes a warm up skate during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Nashville Predators on October 20, 2018, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 20: Nashville Predators Left Wing Zac Rinaldo (36) takes a warm up skate during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Nashville Predators on October 20, 2018, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Rinaldo proving critics wrong

Many, including myself, questioned this signing in the offseason, but, Zac Rinaldo is earning his keep in his first few games with the Nashville Predators

At first glance, Rinaldo didn’t seem to fit a need that the Predators were looking for. His tendency to take too many penalties and play bottom-line minutes seemed to pose little value to Nashville, yet, after eight games, his play has been surprisingly helpful.

To elaborate, Rinaldo isn’t out there to score goals and light up the scoreboard. His role is to bring energy on the fourth line and walk the line of playing aggressively while avoiding unnecessary penalties; something he’s accomplished so far.

His 13 penalty minutes so far are manageable, especially given his style of play. Now, let’s just hope he can continue to avoid taking any major penalties that will force our penalty kill to come up big with the game on the line.

Lastly, there was a high likelihood that Rinaldo might end up in the minors before the first game, but he worked his tail off in the preseason to make the roster. Now he’s appeared in every game and is fresh off of a game-winning goal over the Calgary Flames; the one team that has beaten the Predators this season.

I’m sure we’ll see some blunders from Rinaldo at some point, but he’s been a nice surprise up to this point. Let’s see if he can put together the best year of his seven-year career.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 11: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators waves to fans as First Star of the Game after a 3-0 shutout win against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on October 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 11: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators waves to fans as First Star of the Game after a 3-0 shutout win against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on October 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Rinne proving me wrong

You won’t find anyone with more respect for Pekka Rinne than myself. However, I fully expected a dip going into this season after winning the Vezina Trophy. As of now, I’m dead wrong on that prediction. Though five starts Rinne already has a shutout to go along with a .929 save percentage and a goals-against average just over two. It’s a small sample size, but he doesn’t look to be losing any steam at the back end of his career.

His recent undisclosed injury will sideline him the next couple of games, per NHL.com. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean the beginning of the end for Rinne. If he suffered any type of concussion, it’s extremely worrisome at this point in his career. I want him to remain at an elite level for as long as possible, but what worries me is Father Time. Every athlete falls victim to that sooner or later. For Rinne, let’s keep our fingers crossed this doesn’t have any long-term effects on remaining in Vezina form for another season.

It’s a nice surprise to see him off to another great start when I thought he would show some decline. Saros is the future and will eventually become the primary goaltender over Rinne. I expect it to happen at some point this season. I’ll be wrong if Rinne keeps putting up the same numbers he’s put up through his first five starts. If Rinne keeps up these numbers when he does return, he’ll have the Predators in the hunt for another Presidents’ Trophy.

TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen (11) skates in the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 22, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen (11) skates in the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 22, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Eeli Tolvanen still in the minors

I have to admit, it’s a little puzzling to see that Eeli Tolvanen has failed to find his way back into the everyday lineup yet.

Given his lack of experience, a slow start from Tolvanen is not exactly shocking, but, after eight games, it still seems wrong to see one of our best offensive prospects struggle to make the big-league squad.

Overall, it is understandable that the organization is giving the 19-year old a chance to gain more ice-time in the AHL before making a permanent transition to the NHL, but, the move seems conservative nonetheless.

In all likelihood, it is fair to assume that the 19-year old will get called back up to the Predators and show how far he developed over the summer; especially after his recent three assist performance for the Admirals.

Hopefully, when he does, assists like this are something we get to see frequently in Smashville:


Finally, the Predators are in real danger of losing Tolvanen for the foreseeable future if he plays 10 games in the AHL this year. The situation becomes even dicier should he then opt to go back to the KHL or elsewhere overseas.

Whose roster spot Tolvanen may snatch must also be considered should he get called up in the next week or two. In the most likely scenario, Zac Rinaldo will be substituted out of the lineup, but, as discussed earlier, his play has been decent.  Maybe you keep Rinaldo and move out Miika Salomaki?

This is the challenge you face when you have a deep roster full of good players.

Next. Predators Face Tough Test Without Pekka Rinne. dark

Even with his deficiencies, the Predators have to get Tolvanen back up to the big leagues. His talent on the power-play alone warrants him a spot on the NHL roster.  It is awful that after nearly 10 games, Tolvanen has still not returned to Nashville. How this unfolds will be determined in the coming weeks, but, the dilemma regarding our 2016 first-round pick is considerably unsettling.

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