Nashville Predators Predictions for 2023-24: The Top Goal Scorers
By Chad Minton
#3 Goal Scorer for Nashville Predators in 2023-24: Luke Evangelista
Alright, now this is a pretty bold prediction on my part. Evangelista is heading into his first full season in the NHL, and there’s always that chance that he hits somewhat of a sophomore slump at age 21. Not to mention, he still needs to secure his starting spot out of Nashville Predators training camp, although I believe the coaching staff would have to be nuts to leave him off the NHL starting roster.
Evangelista wasted no time looking comfortable on the ice when his number was called in late February, and even tallying a two-goal performance in just his fourth NHL game.
Although he won’t win it, thanks to Connor Bedard, but I really have confidence that Evangelista will at least be in the Calder Trophy conversation for rookie of the year. Assuming he sticks in the Nashville Predators lineup throughout the entirety of the regular season, he can definitely crack 20 goals playing alongside veteran linemates Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly.
Speaking to Evangelista’s seamless and smooth transition to the NHL this past year, he notched an impressive Corsi rating of 55 percent and saw his Offensive Zone Start percentage at just under 80 percent in all situations.
Additionally, Evangelista piled up the Shots on Goal with 54 in just 24 games, and was second on the team in percentage of shots that actually hit the net. That’s around eight shots per 60 minutes. An analytical masterpiece for Evangelista in his first stint in the NHL.
Imagine the numbers Evangelista can put up if he managed to play in 70-plus games and gets top line minutes with Forsberg and O’Reilly?
It might be a long shot, but I’m banking on Evangelista to build off what he did last year under a full season of NHL hockey and come in at 23 goals, good for third on the team.