Nashville Predators: Three Reasons for Optimism after Preseason
By Chad Minton
The six-game preseason slate is now complete for the Nashville Predators, and they should have that confidence up as they closed it out with four wins in a row.
After getting a 4-3 win in the preseason finale over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, the Nashville Predators now turn their attention to the season-opener against the Seattle Kraken this Thursday. It will be the second game for the Kraken in their history, and they’ll see their lost player in the Expansion Draft, Calle Jarnkrok.
The Predators really needed a strong preseason due to having so many new players still getting acclimated to their new team.
Additionally, you have the youth and inexperience that needs those game reps as a good chunk of them will see NHL action at some point this season, if not right out of the gate on October 14.
Although the season expectations are pretty grim on the outside looking in, I know that Predators locker room isn’t worried about that. They seemed to have a new energy and fresh look during their six preseason games that were all full of intensity from the Predators.
Here’s some reasons to draw some optimism going into the regular season thanks to a productive preseason for Head Coach John Hynes and his roster of youth and veterans who all have something to prove in 2021-22.
1. Special teams re-energized, showing promise
It was a major issues last season for the Nashville Predators. Both the power play and penalty kill were towards the bottom in the NHL, and many times it cost the Predators some valuable points in the standings that buried them in a early hole that they did somehow climb their way out of down the stretch.
The Predators have really looked sound in this area over the six preseason games, particularly on the penalty kill. I expect them to be a team that commits a lot of penalties due to the inexperience and the physical style they play, so a strong penalty kill will be paramount.
The personnel on the penalty kill has me rather confident that this can be a major improvement in 2021-22. Most notably, I like the addition of Tanner Jeannot as he’s a physical and aggressive player that you need in these situations.
As for the power play, it’s still very much a work-in-progress. With that said, they had some minor success in this area as well in a few of their preseason games, including the finale on Saturday afternoon as
tallied a power play goal to tie the score in the 2nd period:
You see a really good zone entry by Josi to get it set up, followed by some outstanding team puck movement which ends in the primary assists from Matt Duchene. This is what you hope the Predators are building upon on practices as many of their past power play issues have simply been having trouble even getting into the zone to get set up.
The Predators went 2-of-5 in the last two preseason games, both wins, against the Hurricanes. Still a lot of improvement to be had, but they appear to really be honing in on getting this area finally into a strength.
2. Line chemistry, a solid plan for the lineup
Heading into the preseason I was skeptical as to how quickly Hynes would be able to get this lineup sorted out. A lot of new players and inexperienced players after losing some core veterans like Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Ellis and Jarnkrok.
I have to say I’m rather pleased with the starting lineup that appears to be coming together for opening night. The top line appears to have been decided on with your top veteran forwards all together with Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene.
They’ve looked very comfortable throughout the preseason, so this is a solid plan to open the regular season.
Even the second line looks solidified with Luke Kunin, Eeli Tolvanen and Mikael Granlund back at center where I feel he’s most dangerous as a offensive generator.
Where it gets interesting and more up in the air is if Philip Tomasino will claim a roster spot or not. If I’m Hynes I’m rolling with Tomasino right away and seeing what spark he can provide on the offensive side of things, and even on the power play.
All things considered, I’m happy with the way this lineup looks to have come together. There’s going to be some talent gaps on paper, but I like the initial combinations.
3. Nashville Predators aren’t searching for an identity
I know it can sound cliché, but it’s really apt in the situation of the rebuilding Nashville Predators. They can’t go into this regular season not knowing who they are or what each player’s role is.
There’s a sense around this team that they might not be the most talented roster on most nights, but they’re definitely going to be the aggressor and play with an intensity that’s going to get under the team’s skin.
They have to make sure they walk that line of aggressive, but not dirty. Also, physical, but not sloppy. As I mentioned, this goes hand in hand with why the penalty kill has to become one of their top strengths as a team so that they can play more aggressive.
Must Read. Top Players Who Are Ready for Breakout Seasons for Predators. light
And not to be forgotten, they’re going to be a team that’s lead be elite goaltending from Juuse Saros, just like last season. That’s not going to change until they add more offensive talent at forward or get more development from their younger players.
We have a team that knows who they want to be and ready to fight for each other. Hynes has brought this team together and they look ready to fight hard for an eighth-consecutive playoff appearance and outperform some low preseason expectations.