The Nashville Predators are gearing up for an exciting season writes Adam Vingan of the Tennessean. Vingan makes his case for a trio of predictions as the season approaches. He writes that the over/under should be set at 35 goals for Filip Forsberg, but sees him falling short of 40. As for newly acquired defenseman P.K. Subban, Vingan bets that Subban will easily break 60 points. Vingan sees Pekka Rinne’s as playing better than last season, but cautions that it may not be significant enough to warrant a dramatic improvement. He also points out that it was Rinne’s up and down play that made the Predators inconsistent.
In other NHL news:
- Arizona Coyotes forward Dylan Strome says he’s done with junior hockey and the timing couldn’t be more impeccable. With the Coyotes buying out the contract of Antoine Vermette earlier today, the path seems clear for the 19-year-old forward. Craig Hagerman writes that the 2015 third overall pick is ready for the next step in his career after posting consecutive 100+ point seasons in the OHL. One of the final roster cuts last Fall, Hagerman reports that another year of seasoning and strong performance has Strome hopeful for a shot with the big club.
- Speedy Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou isn’t concerned about his starting place this fall the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reports. Despite dazzling when given some ice time late in the regular season and then the playoffs, Athanasiou might be an odd man out when the Red Wings head into the 2016-17 season. With the addition of forwards Thomas Vanek, Frans Nielsen, and Steve Ott, roster space is limited, but Athanasiou says that he won’t let if affect him. St. James writes that along with Anthony Mantha, Athanasiou cannot be claimed on waivers. While this may not prove popular with the Red Wings fanbase, Athanasiou seems more concerned about building on last year’s successes.
I have a few concerns about Nashville. One is leadership. Weber has been the go-to leadership guy in that locker room for a long time. Who steps up to fill that void? Two, the Predators lost a lot of grit with the losses of Weber & Gaustad. Three, who takes the big face offs now that Gaustad is gone? Gaustad took all the key face offs late in games. He was also one of the teams best penalty killers. Bass can’t fill that role. That isn’t Sissons game. Maybe they put Jarnkrok in that role. Four, can Mazanec give the Preds the same quality starts as the backup as Hutton did? Hutton picked the Preds up when Rinne struggled & also played well enough to give Rinne rest. Can Mazanec provide the same? Finally, how does Subban fit into the locker room? His play speaks for itself. However, his showboating style has rubbed teammates the wrong way in the past. That style is the reason he is no longer in Montreal. Weber was all business. Subban does it with more flare. Can he tone it down a little & not rub his teammates the wrong way?