Six Players Who Should Be on Nashville Predators Roster Bubble in 2023-24
Smith Looks to Keep 4th Line Role
Ah yes, Cole Smith. Probably one of the most hard-working players on the Predators, and yet also one of the most scrutinized by the fanbase. Mainly because the sentiment was he’s taking up a roster spot for a younger, more offensively talent player.
As valid as those criticisms are, Smith has value as a fourth line tone-setter. He works relentlessly on the penalty kill and does a lot of dirty work. Problem is, I’m not sure how that’s going to translate into Brunette’s new system that is going to preach more aggressiveness on offense.
If Hynes is coming back as head coach, then 100 percent Smith is probably an opening night starter. With Brunette, Smith is going to be battling not only for a starting role, but even as an rotational player.
Smith is going to have to show in training camp that he can occasionally bring some type of offensive value to go along with his hard-hitting, rugged style of play. If he can show he’s more of a two-way player, then maybe you can argue he gets the occasional start every week.
To the dismay of plenty of fans, Smith signed a one-year deal back in February that will keep him in the mix unless he’s part of a trade package. Whether that’s getting starts for the Predators or sent to waivers, we’ll have to see.
Smith was third on the team in hits with198 but also struggled to avoid the costly penalties at times, coming in third on the team with 60 PIM.
McCarron has Potential to Keep 4th Line Role
Look, Michael McCarron has actually grown on me over the past three years with the Predators. He has a savvy style to his game, brings a strong locker room presence and just plays hard-nosed hockey. You need guys like that for your bottom-six.
McCarron, more so than Smith, has potential to earn a spot out of training camp because of his size and ability to occasionally get in the dirty areas for what they like to call “greasy goals”. I don’t think opposing goalies like a big framed McCarron screening them on a power play.
When I look at the current Nashville Predators roster here in June without knowing if any trades or free agents are going happen, I think McCarron can earn himself a fourth line role.
McCarron just signed a one-year deal ($775,000) back in April showing that the front office still has faith in the 28-year-old to be a quality depth player. He’ll be a UFA next offseason, so he’s looking to, if nothing else, show teams elsewhere that he belong full-time in the NHL.
McCarron’s career high for games played in a NHL season is 51 games, which was 2021-22 for the Nashville Predators when he logged 14 points, 70 PIM and 116 hits.
The Spotlight will be on Afanasyev in Nashville Predators Training Camp
Egor Afanasyev is going to be one of the more intriguing players to watch in training camp to see how he takes to Brunette’s more offensively friendly system. We’re all aware of how pure and lethal Afanasyev’s shot can be.
Afanasyev got his feet wet in the NHL late last season while the Nashville Predators were going through a rash of injuries and yet still remaining alive in the playoff hunt.
Even though he only had one point, a goal in the win that mathematically eliminated the Calgary Flames, Afanasyev looked rather comfortable out there and just fell victim to some bad puck luck and good goaltending.
Afanasyev recorded at least one shot on goal in 13 of the 17 games he appeared in, which illustrates that he wasn’t timid in looking for scoring chances, which is going to be key in Brunette’s system.
A strong showing in training camp and I give Afanasyev a decent chance to get a starting role in the opening game of 2023-24 either on the third or fourth line as a winger. I’m not even opposed to having Ryan Johansen center a bottom six line with Afanasyev on the wing.
Sherwood is the Engine that Never Stops, But is it Enough?
Kiefer Sherwood was one of the biggest unexpected newcomers to the Nashville Predators in 2022-23. He even scored the team’s first goal of the season in the Global Series and the last goal of the season against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche. Wild stuff.
Despite that, Sherwood has a lot to prove in training camp to earn a starting spot. He was signed to another one-year deal in April, and I do think he’s a serviceable fourth or even third line player who brings energy and has some offensive pop to his game.
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Sherwood’s career high in games for a season is 50 set during his rookie campaign with the Anaheim Ducks in 2018-19. He managed 12 points that season, while currently coming off a 13-point season in just 32 games with the Predators.
An early look at a possible fourth line coming out of training camp could looking something like Sherwood at one wing, Michael McCarron on the other with Colton Sissons centering.
This all really hinges on where Ryan Johansen ends up being placed in the lineup, or if he’s traded. If Johansen sticks around, then will he get back a top-six role or move down to the bottom six, which would force Sissons down to the fourth line.
I like the idea of Sissons sharing a fourth line with Sherwood. As of now, there’s a reasonably high chance Sherwood makes the starting lineup out of training camp. Coaches love high-energy guys, and Sherwood also isn’t shy about putting pucks on the net with 57 SOG in his 32 games.
Foote Enters Offseason as an RFA. Is there room in the D-Core?
Cal Foote was part of the trade package that sent Tanner Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the value of that trade for the Predators was the five draft picks that came along with Foote.
The Predators actually have three defensive pairing that look pretty set, making it really hard for someone like Foote to crack his way in. Your mortal locks for starting spots are Roman Josi, Ryan McDonagh and Tyson Barrie.
Jeremy Lauzon and Dante Fabbro aren’t mortal locks, but they’re certainly very likely to also be starters out of training camp.
Alexandre Carrier is an RFA as well and is a top priority to get a deal done, which will also make him a lock to be a starter. So where would Foote fit in? Not sure, so let’s see if the Predators match Foote’s $997,500 qualifying offer this offseason.
Foote brings next to no offense, and is basically just a big body that can hit and get in some scraps. You have more talented offensive defensemen coming through the prospect ranks like Spencer Stastney and Jordan Gross.
My bet is Foote hits free agency and doesn’t return to Nashville in 2023-24.
Jankowski was a Surprise Contributor to the Bottom Six
Mark Jankowski earned himself a one-year contract extension in March after being one of the surprise contributors to the bottom six in 50 games played.
The biggest outlier of Jankowski’s stat line from 2022-23 is the three shorthanded goals he notched. He was a quality asset on the penalty kill and defensively with 31 blocked shots, good for firth on the team among forwards.
When looking at what the bottom six could shape out to be next season, I have Jankowski as a deserving player for depth but one that could be squeezed out as he plays center. The Predators are back-logged with centers once Ryan Johansen gets back into the mix.
Jankowski isn’t going to steal starting positions at center from Johansen or Colton Sissons, nor is he going to get a promotion into the top six. This in al likelihood means that Jankowski will often be a healthy scratch or be sent to waivers eventually and hope no one claims him so he can remain with the Milwaukee Admirals.
I like a lot about Jankowski’s game, but obviously he as a low ceiling at age 28 and only once surpassing 30 points in a season (2018-19 with Calgary). I admired what he showed most noticeable on the penalty kill down the stretch, which the Predators rallied to finish sixth in the NHL.
Unless injuries occur early in the season, Jankowski will probably start off in Milwaukee and wait for another call-up due to injuries.