Nashville Predators: Players Who Need to Elevate After Two Early Losses

3. Nick Cousins

I don’t know how much longer we can justify keeping Nick Cousins in the starting lineup, and on the third line no less, if he’s not going to make a bigger impact offensively. Yes, I know he’s never been an offensive player, but he’s got to give them something more than just being a hard-nosed physical player.

Cousins brings that veteran leadership that’s important for such a young, inexperienced team like the Nashville Predators are. I understand in that regard why he’s in the starting lineup right now, but he needs to be moved out for more offensive skill if he doesn’t improve that aspect of his game.

To no logical sense that I can wrap my head around, Cousins is getting work on the second power play unit instead of Tanner Jeannot, Yakov Trenin or even Rocco Grimaldi. I just like their offensive scoring ability more than that of Cousins

According to DailyFaceoff, Cousins might be moving down to the fourth line tonight against the Kings to play with Tommy Novak, who’s making his NHL debut. That’s probably a better spot for Cousins, but either way, we need more out of him going forward.