Top 5 Players Who Have Outperformed Preseason Expectations for Nashville Predators

You can make a case for nearly every player on the Predators outperforming expectations to some degree, but these five stick out the most for a team performing way ahead of schedule.

Nov 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47)
Nov 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) | Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 6
Kiefer Sherwood, Nashville Predators
Mar 23, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) skates | Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kiefer Sherwood-Career Highs in PTS, Goals, Asst, Games Played

I can't leave Kiefer Sherwood off this list because quite honestly I wasn't even sure he'd be in this starting lineup in 2023-24, much less go on to be a vital peice to the depth and setting career highs.

Sometimes it's so great to misjudge and be wrong. This is one of those cases. I'll never doubt you again, Kiefer.

Seriously, the guy just never takes his foot off the pedal. He is a prime example of earning every minutes of ice time you get. He has found a lot of success playing on the tone setter line with Michael McCarron and Cole Smith. They start the game on the opening faceoff to quickly establish that physicality.

Two of the top four line combinations for the Predators in terms of Expected Goals Per 60 Minutes features Sherwood. The Sherwood/McCarron/Smith line is just narrowly behind Forsberg's top line, which is just insane to think about.

You can't dive deep into this 18-game point streak without first giving massive kudos to Sherwood and his linemates. And to Brunette for identifying and sticking with it. This line combo is up to 180 minutes of ice time together, and you better believe they'll be together in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Schedule