Nashville Predators: 2021-22 Fantasy Hockey Projections-Part 1
FILIP FORSBERG (LW)
2020/2021 Totals: 12 Goals, 20 Assists, 32 Points in 39 Games Played
Last season we saw a scorching hot start from the “Stacheberg”! (Okay, I know that’s bad but I am working off some off-season rut too, bear with me)
Forsberg began the season on a torrid pace, and it was looking likely he was set to best his per-game point totals by a landslide in a 56-game shortened season, however, an upper-body injury interfered with this pace.
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Forsberg just wasn’t quite the same when he returned from a 17-game absence, and it resulted in a very common season for him. Common meaning, a very good start, some highlight-reel plays, but unfortunately missing time due to injury and falling short of point total expectations for the level of talent he possesses.
I’ve been saying yearly now that the best is yet to come for Forsberg and this may just be the year to believe it’s the case. He is now truly in the prime of his career entering his 27-year-old season, and a contract year to boot as he hopes to cash in on a major payday via an extension from the Predators that would eclipse his current salary of $6 million per season.
We have all seen the world-class skill, and the ability to outmuscle nearly anyone he goes into a corner with, but good health and consistency from both Forsberg and his linemates (Here’s looking at you Ryan Johansen) will be paramount.
Forsberg will need to have the willingness to put the team on the back of his sizable frame and skill set most nights in order to best his career-high of 64 points (2015-16 and 2017-18).
Without his longtime linemate and fellow countryman, Viktor Arvidsson, on right-wing now donning Los Angeles Kings black and silver effectively eliminating the JOFA line as we know it, the onus will be Ryan Johansen and whoever occupies the opposite wing spot on the top line to help Forsberg carry the load offensively and his fantasy totals.
Eeli Tolvanen and possibly Matt Duchene come to mind as options to not only help Forsberg elevate his game, but also see themselves reach new career highs or resurgences in their own careers respectively.
Forsberg will certainly be motivated to have a productive year for the team and fantasy owners alike as he aims to earn a lucrative new contract to see him become the highest-paid forward on the team, while also assuming a leadership role as the Predators transition into the most youthful period that fans of this generation have yet to see.
Regardless, I expect a very solid season from Forsberg and hope this is the year his skill level, health, the play of the players around him, and fantasy success all come together.
2021/2022 Projection: 31 Goals, 30 Assists, 61 Points in 76 Games Played
TANNER JEANNOT (LW)
2020/2021 Totals: 5 Goals, 2 Assists, 7 Points in 15 Games Played
Now, I will do my very best not to be biased with this projection after having the chance to sit down with Tanner Jeannot this week for an interview with the soon-to-be second-year Predators forward, but no promises.
The impression the Oxbow, Saskatchewan native left on me was about as strong as his play last season for the Predators, so let’s break down what this coming season could hold for him.
Nashville Predators
Jeannot is a very humble, hard-working player who made an incredible impression on fans, coaches, teammates, and the front office in a 15-game sample size last year. It was enough to earn him a two-year contract extension and one of just three protection slots the Predators used on forwards ahead of the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft.
Jeannot’s fantasy value criteria may need to be expanded, while posting seven points he also crashed and banged his way to 53 hits in those 15 games while registering only two penalty minutes according to TSN.
That type of impact, while important to fantasy stat keepers in advanced leagues, is also felt in the locker room as Jeannot aims to earn a regular spot in John Hynes’ lineup. He should be given every opportunity to have that regular spot over the course of 82 games as the aforementioned youth movement continues.
It is impossible to ignore that Jeannot can chip in offensively as well even dating back to his junior career with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL with year over year offensive progression through his pro career.
Jeannot could even work his way into some net-front time on the second power-play unit at some point during the season as he has the physical make-up to handle himself in any situation NHL defenders can throw at him, which means in certain leagues he could have some incredible late round sleeper value.
Here’s to hoping the progression continues for Jeannot, and I have no doubt there will be many more No.84 jerseys around Bridgestone Arena as he continues to make his presence known on this hockey team and in the Smashville community!
2021/2022 Projection: 13 Goals, 12 Assists, 25 Points in 65 Games Played
MATTIAS EKHOLM (D)
2020/2021 Totals: 6 Goals, 17 Assists, 23 Points in 48 Games Played
There is no better analogy to equate to Mattias Ekholm’s 2020/21 season other than it was a roller coaster emotionally, and on the ice for the 11-year veteran.
The wild trade speculation surrounding him due to the Predators disastrous start, combined with being counted on at times as the team’s top defenseman due to injuries, Ekholm at times had the weight of the world, and the team on his shoulders.
If there was one guy the team rallied around in order not to have to move him at the trade deadline it was the steady presence of Ekholm that helped steer the ship in turning around the Predators season, and like Filip Forsberg, he enters a contract year.
The team first, undervalued but greatly appreciated Ekholm will be relied upon for a variety of reasons in 2021-22.
As it pertains to fantasy value, however, Ekholm is about as consistent as it gets. 30 to 35 points over a full 82-game season with a possible upside of 40 points if all goes well. Look for him as a depth defenseman option that will provide stability, power-play time, consistency on the scoresheet, and above all, health.
Ekholm has only missed 15 games due to injury since 2014-15, with eight of them coming last year. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s seeing Ekholm’s name on the lineup card (Knocking on wood that it remains that way).
Again, in a contract year, the veteran D-man will look to do what he can to earn a sizeable raise on the $3.75 million he currently earns, and for fantasy owners of Ekholm, this could mean very good things.
2021/2022 Projection: 9 Goals, 28 Assists, 37 Points in 80 Games Played
ROCCO GRIMALDI (RW)
2020/2021 Totals: 10 Goals, 3 Assists, 13 Points in 40 Games Played
The curious case of everyone’s favorite diminutive forward took a strange turn last season. After boasting career highs across the board in 2018-2019 (10 Goals, 21 Assists, 31 Points in 66 Games Played) and earning a two-year $4 million extension with the Predators, Rocco Grimaldi struggled to replicate that success in 2020-21.
Whether it was misutilization by Head Coach John Hynes, as many will agree with, or just unable to get in a rhythm in a strange season where a lot of young, physical forwards made their way into the lineup, Grimaldi was often times the odd man out,
Grimaldi was still able to flash his abilities in a four-goal, one-man wrecking crew onslaught of the Detroit Red Wings in late March and show he still has the capabilities of the talent level needed to contribute to the Predators.
If you’re looking for sleeper options outside of the top 125 on your draft boards, then Grimaldi could be your guy. He could even be an in-season waiver pick up if Hynes elects to use him in more situations we saw him grow accustomed to in the days of Peter Laviolette.
A resurgence from Grimaldi would be a welcoming sight by Predators fans everywhere as he has certainly earned a place in most, if not all of our hearts. Can he earn a spot on your fantasy team is the question?
There are a lot of factors that aren’t entirely in Grimaldi’s control that will affect his fantasy value:
- Ice time under Hynes
- Consistent linemates
- Ability to stay in the lineup with a team that is getting younger by the day
- More of those previously alluded to “Super Rocco” games
Should the positive variables pan out and the negative ones don’t appear we could be in for a resurging Rocco!
(I am starting to notice a theme of resurgence needed…)
2021/2022 Projection: 12 Goals, 22 Assists, 34 Points in 70 Games Played
MIKAEL GRANLUND (C/W)
2020/2021 Totals: 13 Goals, 14 Assists, 27 Points in 51 Games Played
The biggest splash the Nashville Predators made in free agency just happened to be retaining one of the most effective forwards on the team last year in Mikael Granlund.
While the reviews of the four-year, $20 million pact that Granlund agreed to with the Predators were mixed to say the least, there is no denying that there is some fantasy value still to be had with the two-time 65-plus point producer.
Much like many of his acquired teammates, Granlund has seen a noticeable dip in offensive production since he has donned Predator gold. (seriously Tennessee, what’s in the water?)
While that diminishes his fantasy value, it is Granlund’s knack for timely scoring and 200-foot game that earned him a nice extension to stay in Nashville.
For fantasy purposes, we likely shouldn’t expect those 65-plus point seasons to reappear based on the most recent body of work, but there is definitely 50-plus point upside still within the 29-year-old Finnish native as he now settles in for the medium term, and is one of the players who has experienced a recent trend upwards under the guidance of Hynes.
Granlund will have to retain a top-six role which seems all but given with this currently constructed forward group, and his skill level will need to be recaptured his later days in Minnesota.
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There should be enough from Granlund this year to slot him in for a selection somewhere in the back half of your drafts and expect decent offensive numbers in 2021-2022.
“Granny” is back, and as he further settles into life in Nashville, fans and fantasy owners alike should be happy with a full season of his production if you select him in the later rounds of your drafts.
2021/2022 Projection: 21 Goals, 28 Assists, 49 Points in 75 Games Played
Thanks for reading and be sure to keep it locked right here as we break down more fantasy projections for the Predator’s upcoming season right here!
*All statistical information provided by: NHL.com/Predators/Stats