Nashville Predators: 2021-22 Fantasy Hockey “Pred”ictions-Part 2
By Max Ritz
RYAN JOHANSEN (C)
2020/2021 Totals: 7 Goals, 15 Assists, 22 Points in 48 Games Played
Alright everyone, hear me out. I am calling it right here and now. This is the season we finally see a resurgence from Ryan Johansen. His playoff performance last year may have been the only bright spot for the now 29-year-old top-line centerman.
“Joey” has proven that as the games mean more, he has the ability to ratchet his game up to another level. With so much turnover in the offseason, the message has been sent by GM David Poile.
If you are an older forward on this Predators team (yes, 29 is now an older age on this Preds roster), you HAVE TO produce, or you are in danger of being moved.
Now, there aren’t many teams who will be willing to take on the sizable commitment in terms of term and dollars left on the eight-year, $64 million deal Johansen signed in 2017, but if Poile has proven anything it’s that he will find a way to get out from under Johansen’s deal by any means necessary if he continues down the path the last couple seasons have gone.
I am maybe one of the very few in the camp that believes Johansen is still more than capable of living up to his deal. It has been a tough couple of seasons for Johansen’s offensive production and there simply is no other way to trend than upward.
For fantasy purposes, he has established himself as a depth center option for managers in the back third of your drafts that go 12 to 15 rounds.
It goes without saying that Johansen should benefit from a change of scenery in terms of linemates as there will undoubtedly be a new presence on his right-wing after the departure of Viktor Arvidsson.
Be it the aforementioned Tolvanen, or pairing him with a loaded up top line that was featured in the back half of the Predator’s first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes featuring Filip Forsberg, himself, and Matt Duchene (this could be all kinds of interesting from a fantasy perspective for all three players should that line materialize into a long term situation).
Look for a rejuvenated Johansen to return to form in 2021-22, and for fantasy owners, he could be a re-emergence candidate that could add some serious value further down your lineups at the center ice position.
2021/2022 Prediction: 15 Goals, 33 Assists, 48 Points in 76 Games Played