Nashville Predators: Ragin’ Rookies and Non-Stop Newcomers
By Kyle Fleming
“El Nino” has Provided Solid Play on Both Ends of the Ice
Nino Niederreiter was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 5th overall pick that year. In 2013 Niederreiter was traded to the Minnesota Wild and then in 2019 he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.
During the summer of 2022 Niederreiter was an UFA and signed by the Nashville Predators to a two-year, $4 million AAV contract.
Niederreiter has been a surprising offensive firepower through the first part of the season. He has played in all 36 games for the Predators this season and has 12 goals/9 assists for 21 points. Neiderreiter has spent time on the Predators second power play unit and has two power play goals.
According to Hockey-Reference.com, Niederreiter has averaged 1.3 goals and 1.0 assists per 60 minutes of ice time. Of all the shifts that Niederreiter has started 57.7% of them have been in the offensive zone showing that the coaching staff has trust in his ability to put the back of the net and be a factor in O-Zone play.
Overall, the addition of Niederreiter has been a good move by David Poile and the Predators front office, averaging 15:45 minutes time on ice and only taking three minor penalties.
If Niederreiter keeps this level of play going, the Nashville Predators will be more of a contender in the standings and hang around in the postseason race.