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Nashville Predators: Counting Down the Top Centers in Team History

By Rich Howe

ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) reacts after scoring in the 1st period to make it 1-0 during the Central Division game between the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild on November 16, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 16: Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) reacts after scoring in the 1st period to make it 1-0 during the Central Division game between the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild on November 16, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Ryan Johansen

Although his play this season hasn’t lived up to expectations, Ryan Johansen’s past performances have earned him the No.4 spot on our list.

Johansen is also the only current Predators center to make our list.

Initially drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010 as the fourth overall pick, Johansen was traded to the Predators in 2016. In his first full season with Nashville, he tallied 61 points, 47 assists, and 14 goals.

2017 was also the first year that the Predators made the Stanley Cup Final, and Johansen was instrumental that season before getting injured. Unfortunately, Johansen had to have emergency thigh surgery and missed the finals.

You have to consider that things may have turned out differently if Johansen had been able to play against Pittsburgh.

In the 2017-2018 season, Johansen had a small dip in production. He roared back in the 2018-2019 season, racking up 64 points, 50 assists, and 14 goals. Before the 2018-2019 season, Johansen re-signed with Nashville for a whopping $64 million over eight years.

This season hasn’t been kind to Johansen. Before the season pause, he had only managed 36 points and 22 assists, well below his usual production.

Johansen made our list based on past performances and potential. I feel that whether it is this season if play continues, or next, he’ll get his head back into the game and produce at a high level that we’re accustomed to seeing from him.

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