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Nashville Predators: Where Does Their Defensive Core Rank in the Central Division?

By Chad Minton

Nino Niederreiter #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal in the second period against the San Jose Sharks with teammates during the 2022 NHL Global Series Challenge Czech Republic match between Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks at O2 Arena on October 8, 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Nino Niederreiter #22 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal in the second period against the San Jose Sharks with teammates during the 2022 NHL Global Series Challenge Czech Republic match between Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks at O2 Arena on October 8, 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Stars
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

#5: Dallas Stars

(Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Suter, Esa Lindell, Colin Miller, Thomas Harley, Jani Hakanpaa)

This unit took a significant loss over the offseason when John Klingberg left for the Anaheim Ducks. However, there’s no denying the young superstar talent of Miro Heiskanen.

Heiskanen is heading into his fifth NHL season and has recorded 30-plus points in three of those four seasons.  He has a lot of offensive upside and should continue to improve into a potential Norris Trophy sleeper candidate.

Ryan Suter’s best years are behind him, but he is still a quality veteran presence on the blueline to pair up with Heiskanen, or possibly Esa Lindell.

Lindell is in the prime of his career at age 28 and is often overlooked around the league. He provides quality depth to this unit and is a strong defensive force.

Colin Miller and Jani Hakanpaa provide even more depth to this unit that should make the Stars another probable playoff team in 2022-23. Are they elite enough as a whole to push the Stars back to deep postseason success? That’s up in the air. But they’re definitely no slouches on the blueline.

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