First Unit: Forsberg, Josi, Duchene, Granlund, Johansen
I think it goes without saying that the first unit should consist of Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund, and Ryan Johansen.
This is the unit that lit the lamp on numerous occasions for the Preds on the power play during the 2021-22 season. It consists of the team’s best offensive players, and boy are they fun to watch.
Filip Forsberg is an easy choice for the first unit. The franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer will be vital to the first unit’s success, as he is one of if not the most offensive player the team has. Forsberg has a wicked shot, and when Duchene is on the ice, the duo can be incredibly lethal.
The captain is obviously another player who should be on the first unit. Roman Josi is incredibly lethal on the power play, as evidenced by his 47 points on the man advantage during the 2021-22 season. Without Josi, the first unit is still good, but the elite talent of Josi is part of what can make the first unit very dangerous.
Matt Duchene is an obvious pick, and is a player who really showed out for the Preds on the power play last season. Scoring 16 goals and 29 points, Matt Duchene is a proven scorer on the power play. As mentioned before, with Forsberg on the unit, expect him to grow his game with his Swedish partner and continue to produce on the first unit.
Mikael Granlund and Ryan Johansen round out the first unit. Both centers are “pass first” players, so they will be integral in setting up plays on the man advantage. Granlund and Johansen put up totals of 25 and 13 assists in the 2021-22 season, respectively. Johansen’s may not have the assists that Granlund has, but he also put up 11 goals on the man advantage last season, and will likely grow those totals as the first unit continues to grow.