We're running out of ways to quantify it, but the Nashville Predators are bad this season. They are talented, but it just won't happen for them this year.
Still, there has to be something that comes from this season. No hockey team plays 82 games without creating some type of positive impact, even if it isn't on purpose. So today we're taking a look at what positive aspects have blossomed for the Nashville Predators.
Justus Annunen gets to play and Saros gets to sit
In previous seasons, Juuse Saros has had to be a workhorse goalie to get the Nashville Predators to the playoffs, or at least close to the playoffs. He has started 67, 63, and 64 games the previous three seasons.
Saros is up to 43 starts on the season, so he would need to start 20 of the final 25 games in order to reach his previous marks. If there is any sense left in the Predators brass, Saros won't reach 63 starts, and shouldn't reach 60.
Justus Annunen has started 10 games since he was traded over from Colorado, and should really play 10 to 15 of the final 25 games. He's a young goalie that is signed on through the next year, so seeing him play now and throwing him an extension could very well cost less then letting him play out his contract and then re-signing him, or letting him walk.
You've also got to factor in that Saros is turning 30 this year and every minute he doesn't play can save some quality over the course of the next seven years left on his contract, which kicks in next season at $7.740 million.
Developmental NHL years for Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux
These are two of the more highly touted rookies in recent memory for the Nashville Predators. They jumped into the lineup this year partially due to need, but likely stayed in the lineup because the experience is valuable.
Losing stinks, but Svechkov and L'Heureux getting to play prominent NHL roles with essentially no expecations anymore has to be helpful. They aren't sitting in the press box or down in Milwaukee, and there is no reason to scratch them.
L'Heureux is on the IR now, but he got a lot of time. Svechkov is starting to come into his own and look comfortable creating offensively, both aspects of this year that fans can at least relish.
The Guys in and out of Milwaukee
Here's players who have played in both Milwaukee and Nashville this season:
Nick Blankenburg, Fedor Svechkov, Zachary L'Heureux, Adam Wilsby, Spencer Stastney, Marc Del Gazio, Kevin Gravel, Kieffer Bellows, Ozzy Wiesblatt, and Joakim Kemell all have made the trek back and forth. Vinny Hinostroza could've been on this list had he not be claimed by Minnesota. Jake Livingstone could be the next guy to crack the lineup as well.
Now this year has been a struggle, and injuries have been a big issue, but you can't throw the blame at these guys who are typically playing down in the lineup for trying their best in one off fill in roles. They've helped keep the team afloat and some of them have even looked good. Blankenburg was not a play that people predicted would have played 35 games (one off of his career high) and be averaging 18:29 a night while being a plus player.
Milwaukee is on top of their division, fifth in the Western Conference and ninth overall in the league. You've got to give a lot of credit to the team and staff down there, and it reflects positively on the Predators organization as a whole, even if the big club isn't playing up to snuff. It also means that the guys being pulled up from the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL are doing well too.
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