Daunting Challenge Ahead for the Nashville Predators

It does not look like the COVID-19 outbreak is ending just yet for the Nashville Predators. Several key members returned to the team’s active roster, including all coaches, but three more players, Roman Josi, Colton Sissons, and Tommy Novak, were added to the protocol list.

The obvious big name from that list is Josi, and there is no doubt that his absence will be felt the most by the Predators for the next few days. But in terms of how the team’s on-ice structure will be affected, the losses of Sissons and Novak honestly might hurt more.

Both Sissons and Novak are the centers for their respective bottom-six lines, and Sissons, in particular, is the glue of the herd line. So how will the Predators fare without two of the more critical members of their bottom-six, which is a big part of this team?

Line construction will be tricky for the Nashville Predators

John Hynes has faced much criticism for the way he has assembled his lines, and it has been one of his significant weaknesses since coming to Nashville. This time, however, he is in a challenging situation.

The Predators will have to get creative because few players in the bottom six have much experience playing center at the NHL level, Nick Cousins being one. He is likely to slot in between Yakov Trenin and Tanner Jeannot on the third line, especially since his style of play makes him a good fit.

Creating a fourth-line roster is going to be tough. The two apparent options currently on the active roster are Philip Tomasino and Cody Glass. Still, Tomasino has never actually played center in the NHL and might not be ready for it.

Glass is still currently on the active roster, but it is no guarantee that he will not be assigned to the taxi squad in favor of Mathieu Olivier. It would not be surprising if he were to be sent back to Milwaukee in favor of Rocco Grimaldi.

Of the currently available options, the most likely fourth line appears to be Glass centering Tomasino and Olivier. Unfortunately, that is not great because Olivier is not skilled enough to fit in well with the other two.

Another option for the Predators might be putting Tomasino onto the second line with Ryan Johansen and Eeli Tolvanen and making Luke Kunin the third-line center. Honestly, that might be the best option because it would give them more flexibility down the middle, and Tomasino would get consistent top-six action, which is crucial for him.

The Predators might be forced to make some changes that they do not want to make, but there are ways to overcome their weaknesses in this situation. It is just a matter of whether or not they make the right decisions.