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Nashville Predators: Ranking the Central Division’s Top Lines for 2019-20

By Chad Minton

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 7: Ryan Johansen #92, Filip Forsberg #9, P.K. Subban #76, Roman Josi #59 and Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 7, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 7: Ryan Johansen #92, Filip Forsberg #9, P.K. Subban #76, Roman Josi #59 and Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a third period goal against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 7, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Wild
ST. PAUL, MN – MARCH 25: Eric Staal #12 of the Minnesota Wild and Mikael Granlund #64 of the Nashville Predators follow the play during a game at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Wild

Top Line: Kevin Fiala, Eric Staal, Jason Zucker

It’s been a gradual decline for the Minnesota Wild in recent memory. Everything hit rock bottom last season when they missed the playoffs while also coming in last place in the Central Division. This upcoming season doesn’t look any more promising.

Their top line is anchored by Staal at center. His best days are long behind him in the NHL, and there was a hefty dip in production last season. He had a decrease in goals from 42 to 22 despite playing in 81 of 82 regular season games. His assists numbers dipped some to, as did many of his offensive numbers. Perhaps he still has some left in the tank, but it can’t be much more than fumes.

Then we have a former member of the Nashville Predators, Kevin Fiala. It was hard to see him go as a Predators fan, but it had to be done I suppose. He may have found a good home in Minnesota as he’s going to be counted on as the main generator of offense. He certainly has the talent and skills to do so. It will be interesting to watch him on Minnesota’s top line with Staal.

Jason Zucker rounds out this trio, who has played all eight of his NHL seasons with Minnesota. He had somewhat of a breakout year in 2017-18 with 64 points, but then reverted back to average production with 42 points. Not nearly enough of a top line winger. He has to produce much more on Minnesota’s top line if they’re going to avoid last place again.

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