Nashville Predators Superlatives: Biggest Liability in the Penalty Box
By Colin Blouin
Rich Howe’s pick ( @Rich_Howe_9)
Next season the Predators will be making a move to a more defensive style of play, evidenced by the type of free agents that they have signed. Grit and physicality are the keywords that are most often used.
As referenced above, Austin Watson held the “most penalty minutes” title last season with 65 PIM. The next-closest player is Ryan Johansen, with 45 PIM.
When choosing a player who will spend the most time in the box next season, we have to look at one who has yet to play a single minute for the Predators. There are actually two who would qualify, but I will pick one of my new favorites, Mark Borowiecki.
In the penalty department, Borowiecki is slowing down with age. During the 2016-17 season, he racked up an impressive, or disreputable depending on how you look at it, 154 penalty minutes.
Last season, Borowiecki saw his PIM number drop to a paltry 58 minutes. He racked up 89 minutes in the previous season.
Judging by the lower number of penalty minutes for the Predators last season and the reason that Borowiecki was brought to the team in the first place, it’s a safe bet that he’ll surpass Johansen’s PIM number from last season, and maybe even Watson’s.