Nashville Predators: Training Camp Position Battles to Watch
By Rich Howe
Who Will Center The Top Line For The Nashville Predators?
In an offseason that has seen quite a few changes, more are inevitably coming. What better place to start than the top line?
There are lots of questions already swirling regarding the tenants that belong on the top line. I myself recently wrote a piece declaring my love for a lineup consisting of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Matt Duchene.
In my article, I stated that the “Money Line” of Forsberg, Johansen, and Duchene began to build some chemistry toward the end of last season. It may be time to give them a legitimate shot at building some consistency.
Still, where to put Duchene remains a mystery. We are all waiting with bated breath for him to catch his stride after what some would consider lackluster results during past campaigns for Nashville.
Could he flourish as a winger with the long-time duo of Forsberg and Johansen? Or would his talents be better utilized centering a Mikael Granlund and Eeli Tolvanen line?
Ultimately, a “Money Line” may be a pipe dream. Instead, it may be better for everyone involved to spread the experience around a bit and split up Johansen and Duchene, setting up a battle for the top Center position.
Johansen has centered the first line for quite some time with varying degrees of success. Might it be time for a switch, allowing Duchene to take over, relegating Johansen to the second line? Both Duchene and Johansen are feasible options at the center position for either line.
Related Story. Nashville Predators: 3 Things We Need Out Of Training Camp. light
As you can see, Hynes will have his work cut out for him at the positions mentioned above and many others. There are so many options at so many positions, but ultimately someone will lose out. One or a couple of our favorite players could find themselves with some new linemates come October.
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to find out what Hynes and the rest of the coaching staff are thinking. The Predators open their season at home on October 14 when they face the Seattle Kraken.