It’s that time of the year again where everyone starts to make predictions as to how the upcoming NHL season will play out. Who will contend for the Stanley Cup? Who is overrated? Which players will breakout?
Well ESPN did something similar to that in its first power ranking of the season, to mixed results. In it they had the usual teams fighting for the top five spots, including Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington and Chicago.
One team that I was shocked to find ESPN had not considered being contenders this year are the Nashville Predators. After reaching the final eight in the playoffs last year by reaching the second round, ESPN decided to rank the up and coming Predators ninth.
The Predators were able to defeat the Pacific Division champion Anaheim Ducks a year after the Ducks reached the Western Conference finals. Pekka Rinne reminded all of us that he is an elite goaltender down the stretch when he held the Ducks to just one goal in both of the final two games of the series.
They also showed their potential on offence in the second round against the eventual Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks. In each of their three wins, they scored four goals to out pace possibly the most potent offense in the NHL in San Jose. Colin Wilson finally became the complete player the Predators had been waiting for him to become. His five goals and 13 points in the 14 post season games he played in gave the Predators the boost they needed to compete with more experienced teams like the Ducks and Sharks.
Ultimately, though, it was their inexperience that cost them game seven against the Sharks. The team brought in Ryan Johansen to play along side Filip Forsberg on the Predators top line mid season. Although it was a great move, neither player had much playoff experience. Johansen and Forsberg had played in only six post-season games heading into last season. In comparison, the Sharks Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau both had over 100 games of playoff experience heading into the post season.
Johansen and Forsberg proved during the regular season that they have a natural chemistry. Both had over 60 points, with Forsberg scoring a career high 33 goals in his first season matched up with Johansen. It is scary to think about how much better they will be this season now that they get to have a full off-season of working with each other.
The team was also able to improve in other areas over the off-season. They were able to trade away longtime headache Shea Weber for P.K Subban. Subban is a younger and more aggressive defender. He will fit in nicely with Peter Laviolette’s high tempo, aggressive offense, where Shea Weber struggled with a -7 +/- last year, which was worst among Predator defenders. Laviolette is also reunited with fellow former Flyer in Matt Carle. In his for seasons with the Flyers, Carle amassed a 55 +/- and grew into a dependable two-way defender for Laviolette. Carle has to be excited to be playing for his old coach on a team that appears to be getting ready to compete for a Stanley Cup.