The Nashville Predators entered the season with lofty expectations and they delivered, repeating as the top team in the Central Division and 8th overall. Heading into playoffs the Preds ran into a stingy Dallas defense that held them to just two goals per game and were eventually knocked out in six games in what had to be a disappointing result for them.

Additions: Matt Duchene, Daniel Carr, Steven Santini

Subtractions: Wayne Simmonds, Zac Rinaldo, Brian Boyle, PK Subban

Forwards:

The Preds went all in on the Matt Duchene sweepstakes this summer and struck gold. They gave up some older depth players in favor of signing the big name centerman giving them arguably the strongest 1-2 punch down the middle in franchise history. The big question mark will be if Kyle Turris can find a way to get back to being a 50-point player.

Defense:

Giving up PK Subban when he was at his lowest value of his career might not have been the best move but the Preds were giving up from a position of strength. Roman Josi just might be the best defenseman in the league and both Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm are no slouches either. Add in an up-and-coming Dante Fabbro and their depth isn’t hit too hard by trading Subban.

Goalies:

If their defense isn’t strong enough, what about the best goalie combo around. Pekka Rinne continues to defy Father Time with his youthful play and Juuse Saros is a number 1 goalie in waiting. Both Rinne and Saros were in the top-15 goalies for expected to actual goals against per game, both saving almost an extra goal every two games compared to league average goaltending.

The Point Prediction:

The Preds will once again be competing in the playoffs but for the first time in three seasons they won’t be taking home the top spot in the Central Division, finishing third in the Division and 9th overall. With their revamped offense they have a more well-rounded team which should help out their worst ranked powerplay from last season and could give them the boost they need to make a deep playoff run.

 

(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)