Even though the main strength for the Nashville Predators will be offensively, their season will be dependent on their goalie performancefrom Juuse Saros.
Saros holds the keys to the Predators' chances this upcoming season. If he can perform as a top-5 NHL goalie, Nashville will have a chance to go far. And also, it means that he will be in the running for the Vezina Trophy. Does he have a chance?
Usually the team needs to be a top-5 defensive team and the goalie needs to come close to around a .930 save percentage for a Vezina Trophy, but there are some exceptions.
How strong will the Nashville Predators defense be in front of Saros?
Back in the 2019-2020 season, Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy, even though his team ranked 12th defensively and he held 92.2% save percentage. That year the Jets were fifth in shots allowed category, but they managed to get to 80 points in 71 games. They were 20th in goals allowed and 16th in goals scored.
It shows that the Jets had pretty much an average season, but Hellebuyck was the backbone of the team, and he delivered. The jets had great offensive talent in Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, that carried them throughout the season. And defensively Hellebuyck was holding his own.
The reason that I've mentioned that Jets season in particular is because Nashville could be facing a similar situation.
If everything clicks, the Predators will have more offensive talent. Scoring wise they should crack the top-10 at least. But they've also mentioned in the offseason, that they would want to play faster.
This means that teams will have more offensive possessions, but also allow more shots for their opponents. Their defense will stand on Roman Josi and Brady Skjei, who are offense oriented defenders. Which is fine, but it will be hard for them to bang with bigger forwards. Plus, Josi is an older player.
That's why Jeremy Lauzon will be extremely important. Because he blocks a lot of shots, makes a bunch of hits and is not afraid of any kind of contact.
Let's get back to Saros.
If you think that the Predators will hover around top-10 defense, then Saros will have a chance for his first Vezina Trophy of his career. He would have to averaged around 92.5% save percentage to be in a race. In 2020-21 season, he averaged 92.7%. Last season he was at 90.6%. Can he improve by 2% in one season? Saros does have the potential.
Saros is a worthy contender to win the 2025 Vezina Trophy
Now let's get back to Saros and his chances for the Vezina Trophy this upcoming season. He has finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the voting in the previous four seasons.
Saros has great situational awareness and usually keeps his position, so he doesn't need to dive or to make hard saves, because he is out of position. Overall, he's a top-10 goalie.
There are a couple ways Saros could end up being the 2025 Vezina Trophy winner:
1. Nashville needs to be great. If they are top 5 team in the league and hovering around top 8 in defensive, with Jusse having solid numbers (92.5%-ish) save percentage, then he will be a strong candidate.
2. Saros is incredible. If the team struggles defensively and allows a lot of shots. Team is mid to bottom in every major statistical category (opponents time in the O zone, shots from the bumper spot, odd man rushes and etc.), but Saros is hovering around 92% percent and keeping Nashville afloat defensively, then he will get recognition as well.
If you would ask me to bet, I would probably choose the second option. Not because I don't believe in Nashville's defensive ability. They have solid players there. The thing is, they will try to push the pace, which will open spaces for opponents as well. Nashville will score a lot, but they will allow a lot of chances to do the same for opponents also.
But either way, it will be interesting to see how Juuse Saros will look this upcoming season, with this renewed roster. Is he a favorite to win the Vezina trophy? Probably not, but has pretty decent chance of doing so.