Nashville Predators: Where Does Their Defensive Core Rank in the Central Division?
By Chad Minton
#2: St. Louis Blues
(Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Torey Krug, Justin Faulk, Niko Mikkola, Robert Bortuzzo, Calle Rosen
Top to bottom, I rank the Blues ever so slightly higher than the Predators. They may not have the superstar level talent of Josi, but collectively they are very deep. Deeper than I can confidently say the Predators are.
To start, Parayko is in the prime of his career as assistant captain of the Blues and is the prototypical two-way defenseman.
Leddy played just 20 games for the Blues last season after coming over from the Red Wings. It remains to be seen what kind of impact he can make this season on them, but they’re counting on him to deliver in a top pairing role.
Krug is probably the best offensive defenseman on this Blues squad, and again, you’re seeing a load of NHL veteran experience along with Leddy and Parayko. Krug is extremely valuable on the Blues power play putting up 16 assists on that unit last season.
Bortuzzo is a goon, but another veteran defenseman on the third pairing that can be trusted in that role.
The Blues and the Predators might very well battle it out until Game 82 of the regular season to figure out who finishes runner-up to the Avalanche. Speaking of which….