Nashville Predators: Projecting a Fully Healthy Forward Core for the Future

Line 1: Philip Tomasino — Cody Glass — Matt Duchene

Despite all of the injuries the Predators have suffered over the past month plus, not only have these players stayed healthy (excluding a game and a half absence for Tomasino), they have been a consistent line for weeks. And they have the makings of being something special.

When looking at this trio, the one thing that jumps out is SPEED. That is especially the case for Duchene and Tomasino, who could give opposing teams fits with their play in transition, and also with the pure skill that both of them and Glass possess.

One sequence that jumps out to me was a few weeks ago in the game at the Florida Panthers, when Duchene and Glass were leading the charge up the ice. Not only did they look incredibly fast, but they looked every bit as actually effective, dishing the puck back and forth seamlessly between each other while on the rush.

And while the Predators were scoring goals almost at will in Tuesday night’s game in Buffalo, this line was especially on fire. They combined for two goals in the first period and even had another that was unfortunately waived off due to offside, but it did not diminish their performance in the slightest.

Whether this line or the next one I am about to discuss is the first or second line is to be determined, and of course that is when everyone is actually healthy. But knowing what these guys have shown together, it makes sense to keep them together so they can build on that chemistry.

Line 2: Filip Forsberg — Tommy Novak — Luke Evangelista

One of the biggest what ifs from the end of the Predators season will be how Forsberg would have fit with the youth, as his injury is probably going to keep him out for the rest of the year.

Forsberg has not played a game with Evangelista or even Tomasino, since he did not enter the lineup until right after Forsberg got injured on February 11 when the trade deadline plans weren’t even completely clear yet.

But once 2023-24 rolls around, we will get the chance to see that, and everyone should be excited to see what Forsberg can do alongside Evangelista.

Evangelista has done almost everything right offensively, as his five goals and four assists in twelve games reflect the consistency that he has played with.

Besides Evangelista’s talent, his vision for the game is a major difference maker, as whether he is at the front of the goal, behind it, or in the shooting lane, he is always making things happen by being in the right areas.

The center was a bit of a tough choice, but ultimately Novak ended up making the most sense. He has also played with great consistency since entering the lineup, as his goal scoring and distributing make him an effective presence all around the offensive zone, and he is defensively responsible.

Novak’s stats also back up how reliable he is, as he has 14 goals and 19 assists in 39 games, which is now fifth on the team.

What was a big reason for Novak ultimately belonging on this line was how well he has played with Evangelista. With Novak deserving of top six duties and the two having the chemistry they do, it is hard to break them up and not just put them with Forsberg.

They are already doing well with Kiefer Sherwood on the other wing, so just imagine what they could do with Forsberg. It would be fun to say the least.

Line 3: Egor Afansyev — Juuso Parssinen — Kiefer Sherwood

The reason why the second line center position was tough was because between Parssinen, Glass, and Novak, somebody was going to be the odd man out of the top six. Unfortunately by virtue of the latter two playing well during his absence, Parssinen is the one who ends up getting the boot to the third line.

It does not mean he is in a bad situation, however, as he is alongside two teammates with whom he should play well.

Afanasyev has yet to record  a point in seven games, but it is certainly not for a lack of trying. He is working hard in the offensive zone and has gotten a few chances, but he is extremely raw and not playing big minutes right now.

In his first seven NHL games, Afanasyev has at least one shot on goal in each of those games in very limited ice time of 9:47.  He will break through, he just needs time as he learns the sport at the NHL level. And it is not like he is a liability out there, so there is no reason to worry with him.

Now it was a bit tough to choose between Sherwood and Rasmus Asplund, as you probably have slightly more potential with Asplund, but he really has not done anything in the lineup.

Sherwood has actually played pretty well recently, as he forechecks hard and just plays with a lot of energy, which is nice to have in your bottom six.

Sherwood’s most recent game against the Kraken in which he battled hard and even got a goal showed that he deserves to be in the lineup every night that everyone is healthy, which is fun to see considering he got waived in early November.

You have to appreciate the tenacity that Sherwood shows on every shift.

These players have hardly played together if at all, so if they were to become a line, there might be some growing pains and lack of productivity at the very beginning. But if they were given time, they would become quite an effective grouping with the talent and effort they play with.

Line 4: Yakov Trenin — Colton Sissons — Cole Smith

The days of the herd line are unfortunately over with Tanner Jeannot being traded at the deadline, but it does not mean they cannot roll a line with a similar identity. That’s what this trio, that also currently plays together, does.

This is the one that everyone knows is out there to be that physical element that every team prefers to have when going on a deep playoff run. And even in the case of the Predators, it is nice to have because they are so young and make good use of experienced and gritty guys who will step up in rougher situations.

Trenin and Sissons have obviously played together for the vast majority of the past two years, and Sissons being the consistent veteran on this line makes the opponent take them seriously when they are on the ice.

Smith does not quite have the menace factor that Jeannot brought to the Predators, but he is still plenty physical and does many of the same things that Jeannot did, so he fits right in.

Smith gets his large share of criticism from the fanbase, which is fair, but he is someone who has only gotten better throughout the season. And especially given the current state of the team, he deserves to be in the lineup and bring the effort like he does each game.

Recap of Projected Forward Lines for 2023-24

1. Tomasino/Glass/Duchene
2. Forsberg/Novak/Evangelista
3. Afanasyev/Parssinen/Sherwood
4. Trenin/Sissons/Smith