Top 3 Storylines Heading into Nashville Predators Preseason Action
Settling who will be on the crucial 2nd Line
Who emerges to claim a spot on the vital second line for the Nashville Predators is a key storyline to watch. Five of the six slots look pretty obvious with Nino Niederreiter, Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, and Mikael Granlund. But who gets that sixth spot?
You would think it’s Philip Tomasino‘s to lose, but he does still have to show it in training camp. His solid rookie campaign should have him as the frontrunner.
It went a little unnoticed due to so many other career high seasons, but Tomasino impressively tallied 32 points in just 11:32 of average ice time. I’d call that being extremely efficient.
Tomasino was incredibly comfortable last season despite being so young and not having a regular place in the lineup. Now it will be important to find a consistent line for him, and the second line looks like the perfect spot for him with two veterans in Niederreiter and Johansen.
If for some reason Tomasino has a lackluster camp that gives coaches reason to pause on putting him in that elevated role, then perhaps Eeli Tolvanen gets another opportunity in the top-six.
Also, the unforeseeable could happen where Head Coach John Hynes breaks up the “Herd Line” and elevates Tanner Jeannot to a second line role. It doesn’t seem logical, but again coaches make unexpected lineup decisions all the time, and it will come down to what Hynes observes in the preseason action.
If Hynes doesn’t like what he sees from Tomasino on the second line, then Tolvanen would be your next best bet to open the season on the second line. This is a spot in the lineup to keep a close eye on.
How will the new guys fit in?
With Nino Niederreiter and Ryan McDonagh joining the fold, it will be a storyline in the preseason to see where exactly they slot into the lineup.
Starting with Niederreiter, it’s conceivable that he’ll be on a line with Ryan Johansen. Those two shouldn’t have much trouble building quick chemistry and giving the Nashville Predators a strong second line.
Niederreiter should get looks on the penalty kill as well in the preseason. His two-way ability is very well known and will make the Predators much more formidable defensively as he’s a savvy veteran that plays hard on the forecheck.
Considering the Predators were the most penalized team in the NHL last season, constructing an effective penalty kill is going to be critical to their success in 2022-23. I don’t see them suddenly becoming a team that takes a low number of penalties.
Then you have McDonagh, which was your prize addition of the offseason. A power move by the front office to make this team a respectable one again in the postseason.
Who will McDonagh’s initial defensive pairing linemate be? Roman Josi and McDonagh would be an incredible top defensive line, but that would mean breaking up Alexandre Carrier who also played well with Josi.
Kevin Lankinen is the new backup to Juuse Saros, so expect to see him get at least two games in the preseason. He’s looking to bounce back and take some pressure off of Saros. It was a horrendous season for him with the Blackhawks in 2021-22.
You also can’t leave out Zach Sanford, who is flying under the radar but could end up being a very impactful move when we look back on it.
We’ll get a window into what Hynes is thinking in this regard in practices and in the first starting lineup he constructs in the preseason. Expect some early shuffling to see what works best.
Will a prospect make the team out of training camp?
Although the Nashville Predators prospect pool is buzzing with positive energy, especially after the Prospect Showcase, I still think the NHL roster is close to being complete.
Since the Nashville Predators front office made it very clear with their offseason strategy that they’re focused on winning now and not taking the long road, there’s just not a lot of room for roster competition.
However, there is a couple players who have outside chances of cracking into a fourth line role to open the regular season. The first one is Egor Afanasyev, who just had a great performance at the showcase by scoring three goals and very clearly looking like the leader of that squad.
Afanasyev is a prospect with a high ceiling and will inevitably get his NHL opportunity very soon. Getting it right out of training camp to open the 2022-23 season will take a huge showing in the preseason. I’m talking like a few goals, dominant play on the ice and looking very comfortable against NHL veterans.
Tommy Novak appeared in 27 games last season so is no longer considered a rookie, but he will also be among the younger players competing for a starting role out of training camp. Look for him to get plenty of reps in the preseason.
Then you have Juuso Pärssinen who shouldn’t be slept on, either. I don’t think he makes the team out of training camp, but a call-up at some point this season isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Pärssinen does however need plenty of ice time to develop his game in the AHL, so giving him a diminished role on the Predators wouldn’t be very beneficial to him.
light. More. Zach Sanford is the Offseason Addition No One is Talking About
If you force me to put money on one prospect who plays his way into the opening night lineup, give me Afanasyev, followed closely by Pärssinen.
All in all, there shouldn’t be too much drama in terms of younger players taking away a spot from a veteran in training camp. The Nashville Predators have a promising roster on paper to be a playoff team once again in 2022-23, while the prospect pool continues to strengthen for seasons past this year.