Who’s Hot with the Nashville Predators Midway Through the 2022-2023 Season
It should come as no surprise that the Predators franchise goals leader, Filip Forsberg, with 238 career goals with the organization, is on this list. While he did have a slow start to the season, he has really started to show his skill as of late.
With 18 goals and 20 assists (38 points), Forsberg leads the team in goals and points. He is currently ranked fourth in assists behind Roman Josi (23), Matt Duchene (21), and Mikael Granlund (21). Forsberg also recorded his first hat trick of the season in a 4-5 loss against the Las Vegas Golden Knights on New Year’s Eve.
The 28-year-old Swedish forward has points in eight of nine games, most recently a goal just 12 seconds in to the second period in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on January 12th. The Nashville Predators have been goal deprived to this point of the season and with a streaky player like Forsberg getting hot, it can pay dividends for this team.
Forsberg does have 14 penalty minutes on the season and is a -4 in the +/- column. Averaging 17:48 in time on ice per game those numbers do not take away from the offensive presence that he brings to the game.
The Captain, Roman Josi, has let his presence be known recently. While he still is not putting up numbers like he did in the 2021-2022 season, he has 10 goals and 23 assists (33 points) this season.
Josi has three goals and four assists in his past eight games dating back to December 30, 2022, against the Anaheim Ducks. His driving force on the top power play unit has also resulted in Josi being involved on six power play goals in the past 11 games.
This season, on a team that does not score a lot, Josi is a -1 in the plus-minus column. The captain averages 25:11 time on ice per game and plays in all situations. Josi’s 99 blocks on the season puts him on close to being on pace to tie his career record for blocked shots, 209 blocks during 81 games in the 2014-2015 season.
Roman Josi is a true Captain. Night after night he puts this relatively young Nashville Predators team on his shoulders and provides a veteran presence and insight to younger players, especially defensemen. The one-year removed, Norris Trophy nominee has put up some good numbers so far but is going to need to hit another level and push everyone else on the team to as well if they are going to make a push to the playoffs.
Ryan McDonagh‘s pedigree, winning two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, isn’t enough for him to make this list. However, his play through the first half of the season, missing seven games due to injury, definitely qualifies him.
McDonagh scored his first goal as a Nashville Predator on January 6, and it was a beauty. Cutting across the slot, fighting off a defender, and falling to the ice as he put the puck in the back of the net.
The statistic that stands out the most about McDonagh is his plus-minus rating. In 34 games played on a struggling offensive team that ranks 27th in the league in goals for with 115 goals, Ryan McDonagh is a +12. When he is on the ice, he makes it nearly impossible for the opposition to score.
Ranking 2nd on the team in blocked shots, 3rd in time on ice average, and starting 65.5% of his shifts in the defensive zone. It is apparent that the coaching staff has confidence in the 33-year-old Minnesota native.
Since being called up from the Nashville Predators affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, on November 12th, Juuso Parssinen has not looked back. The presence of this 6-foot 3-inch, 215-pound, center from Finland is pivotal to the success that the Predators have had as of late.
When Parssinen was called up the Predators had a record of 5-8-1. Since the call up of the power forward, the Nashville Predators have posted a 14-8-5 record. On the forecheck, he is absolutely relentless, fighting for the puck on every shift.
Known for his offensive ability, having two goals and seven assists in Milwaukee, he has really started to heat up for the Predators. In his past five games, Parssinen has a goal and six assists averaging 15:32 time on ice a night.
Even though Parssinen is a big and tough player that plays a gritty style of hockey, he is very disciplined. Through his 27 games played the rookie has only received one minor penalty.
Parssinen looks more comfortable on the ice now and is playing more relaxed. If he keeps this style of play up he will be a force to be reckoned with throughout his career. This young player could be a main reason why, come the end of April, the Nashville Predators find themselves in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Juuse Saros deserves an honorable mention for this piece of Who’s Hot in Smashville. The Finnish goaltender has been the anchor for the Predators this season. He has played phenomenal since his mediocre first ten games of the season.
Even with not having a stellar start, Saros currently has a 2.65 goals against average and .922 save percentage. On January 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes Saros made 64 saves on 67 shots in a 5-3 win in Raleigh.
While Saros may not be in the running for the Vezina Trophy at this point of the season, if he continues this level of play for the second half of the season, not only will he be in the running’s for it, but the Nashville Predators will find themselves in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That wraps up this round of Who’s Hot in Smashville. The Predators are in the final half of the 82-game regular season and are at a point where their top players need to be their top players. There is still plenty of time to turn this season around and make the playoffs. Let’s see if the Predators can make it happen.
More. Preds 22-23 Midseason Report Card. light