Nashville Predators: Recapping the Biggest Storylines of the Offseason

We’re already nearly to August as the Nashville Predators continue through their busy offseason. They’re getting primed for another Stanley Cup run.

An offseason can make or break a franchise. Teams like the Nashville Predators who are on the cusp of winning a Stanley Cup can see all of that crushed if the offseason is full of mishaps. The Predators exited the 2019 playoffs with a shocking defeat at the hands of the Dallas Stars in the first round. It forced some people even into questions of the dreaded word of rebuild.

After an overall productive offseason, the Predators are right back into the league’s hierarchy of contenders. They didn’t regress back any further with questionable decisions from the front office. They have suffered some losses of personnel, as most teams do. However, they’ve added some major upgrades that many can argue makes them a deeper and more balanced roster.

There are other offseason agenda items that still need to be taken care of. After this hectic offseason, let’s dive back into everything that’s happened up until now. The regular season is just a little over two months away when the Predators open up at home against Minnesota.

P.K. Subban traded to New Jersey

It’s always hard to let go, especially when it’s a larger-than-life personality like P.K. Subban. A great ambassador to the game and a guy that elevates the brand of whatever hockey team he’s playing for. Truth be told it had to happen, as hard as it was. The Predators couldn’t make the offseason moves necessary to make this team better if they held onto him.

Subban had a $9 million cap hit, the highest on the team. The return from the Devils for Subban looks bleak and bare bones when you initially look at it. However, you always have to look at the broader picture. The Predators get projects in defenseman Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and a couple of second-round draft picks. Nothing to get you too excited, but this freed up space for an even bigger move that was the prize of the offseason.

Just focusing on this trade, we have to choose to remember all of the great that Subban did for this franchise in his short time here. Subban came to Nashville and made an impact immediately. He embraced the city, the culture and delivered by getting the Predators within two wins of a Stanley Cup. Tough to see him go, but it’s the nature of the business. At least he went to the Eastern Conference.

Predators get their guy

A lot of teams wanted Matt Duchene, and he chose the Predators back on July 1st. Perhaps the biggest free agent to ever choose the Predators. It’s a monumental step and illustration that the Predators have become a desired destination for top free agents. We couldn’t say that just a few years ago.

With this blockbuster addition, the Predators are a much deeper team and should have a great second line backing up their top line, which was already one of the best. Figuring out who will line up with Duchene on the second line remains up for debate. The deal of $56 million over seven years looks like a team-friendly deal.

The prospects of this addition of Duchene was years in the making. It was to the point where I thought it would never actually happen and the Predators were going to have to settle for a consolation prize of some sort. I was gladly wrong, and now the Predators have the roster on paper to be considered one of the top contenders going into the 2019-20 season.

Roman Josi’s new contract in the works

This Josi deal really needs to get done soon. The longer it goes without an agreement being reached, the more my heart rate is going to rise. The captain is going to get in the neighborhood of $9 million per year I’d expect, and he’s earned that based on what the market is doing.  For comparison, Erik Karlsson of the Sharks got an eight-year deal that’s got a cap hit of $11.5 million. Josi isn’t going to get that most likely, but he’ll get close to it.

GM David Poile has had his hands full this offseason. Josi is now his biggest priority. After losing Subban, the Predators defensive core can’t take another hit. It’s still strong as of now, but Josi is a big reason why. And he provides so much of an offensive jolt to what the Predators like to do. This deal will get done eventually, and maybe it’s a pretty big gamble committing so much to  him. You have to commit to your captain who has put up some of the NHL’s top numbers among defensemen for a while now. This deal needs to get done ASAP.

Excellent draft for the Predators

On its surface it looks like the Predators had a really solid draft. They got things started in the first round by selecting the speedster Philip Tomasino at the 24th overall pick. He’s most recently played for Niagara from the OHL, posting 72 points in just 67 games last season. Efficient production and could easily end up being a steal at pick 24. You can’t help but love the pick.

The second-round pick is just as intriguing as the Predators took Egor Afanasyev, a powerful forward with a massive 6’4″ frame. We’ll get to see his progression next season in the OHL after playing most recently in the USHL where he put up 62 points in 58 games. As his level of competition rises, let’s see if he can maintain his efficiency in a tougher league.

The Predators had eight total selections in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, with three being wingers, two centers, one goalie and two defensemen. It will take a few seasons to know how successful this draft truly is, but it looks great at the top. Tomasino and Afanasyev should climb the ranks pretty quickly and have a shot at the NHL roster following next season.