NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8 to Sept. 8. Today, three important questions facing the Nashville Predators.
[Predators 32 in 32: Season preview | Top prospects | Fantasy breakdown]
1. Who will fill out the Predators’ top-six forwards?
The Predators will head into training camp knowing Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter will occupy five of the forward positions on the top two lines. What is not clear is who the sixth forward will be following the trade Luke Kunin to the San Jose Sharks this offseason.
One possibility is Philip Tomasino, the No. 24 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft by Nashville. As a rookie last season, Tomasino, 21, had 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 76 regular-season games while playing mainly in a bottom-six role.
Another possibility is Eeli Tolvanen, 23, selected by Nashville in the first round (No. 30) of the 2017 NHL Draft. Tolvanen had a promising 2020-21 season, with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) and a 16.9 percent shooting percentage in 40 games. His point-per-game production dipped last season with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) and a 7.3 shooting percentage in 75 games.
Nashville might also consider Tanner Jeannot25, who finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting last season after he had 41 points (24 goals, 17 assists) in 81 games while playing primarily on the third line as a rookie.
Video: NSH@MIN: Tomasino cashes in on rebound to break tie
2. Can they trim Jesus Saros‘ workload?
In his first season as the full-time starter, Saros had the most starts (67) and played the most minutes (3,931:42) among NHL goalies last season. The 27-year-old was 38-25-3, with a 2.64 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and four shutouts and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goaltender.
The Predators hope a change at the backup goalie position might allow Saros a bit more downtime in the coming season. Nashville parted ways with last year’s backup, David Rittichand signed Kevin Lankinen, 27, to a one-year contract. In two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Lankinen was 25-29-11 with a 3.23 GAA and .901 save percentage.
Lankinen will compete with Connor Ingram, 25, for the spot behind Saros. Ingram played three regular-season games and four (three starts) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. In Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round, he made 49 saves on 51 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
3. Can Duchene, Forsberg and Roman Jose replicate their career seasons?
Three of the Predators’ top players had NHL career highs in points in 2021-22. Duchene’s 86 points (43 goals, 43 assists) in 78 games were 16 more than his previous high of 70 (2013-14, 2018-19); Forsberg’s 84 points (42 goals, 42 assists) in 69 games were 20 more than his previous high of 64 (2015-16, 2017-18); Josi’s 96 points (23 goals, 73 assists) in 80 games were 31 more than his previous high set in 2019-20.
The good news for Duchene and Forsberg is that they will once again be on the same line, where the two were highly productive whether centered by Johansen or Granlund.
Josi’s point total may be more challenging to repeat. He was the NHL’s highest-scoring defenseman since Phil Housley had 97 points (18 goals, 79 assists) in 80 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93.
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