Breaking down the Nashville Predators ahead of NHL Free Agency.
Updated: Sunday, June 29
Pending free agents
Unrestricted: 6 | Restricted: 7 | See full list
[teamleaders league=”nhl” team=”nsh” season=”2013″]
Predators overview
The Nashville Predators have officially turned the page on the early days of the franchise. It started at the NHL Trade Deadline when the team dealt David Legwand, the franchise’s first-ever draft pick and the holder of practically every offensive record in Predators history, to the Detroit Red Wings. And it continued shortly after the end of the season when Barry Trotz, the only coach the team has ever had in its 15-year run, was let go.
The moves came as the Preds experienced a second-consecutive season of finishing just out of the playoffs after reaching the post-season in seven of the eight years preceding that. Replacing Trotz is Peter Laviolette, who most recently led the Philadelphia Flyers to regular season success and playoff failure. Replacing Legwand may be the team’s top priority this off-season.
The Predators have some intriguing young forwards either on the cusp of the NHL or already contributing, like Calle Jarnkrok, Filip Forsberg, Colton Sissons, Taylor Beck and Austin Watson. The team could promote from within and see if their young guns can carry the load, or use that prospect capital to trade for established NHL contributors.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
| Click player positions to see depth chart | ||
Areas to address
Nashville will certainly be looking to add some offence this summer, after scoring less than three goals per game last season and being led in scoring by a defenceman — Shea Weber. New coach Laviolette is known for preaching an up-tempo, offensive brand of hockey and for the Predators to play that way, additions may be necessary. Bringing in one or even two top-six forwards would go a long way to replacing Legwand’s production and ideally adding some more on top of that to help the Predators return to the post-season.
Nashville’s defence is solid, featuring a strong top four of Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Seth Jones. The Predators could either use that defensive depth on the trade market to acquire some offence or keep the unit together, even add to that, because you can never have enough reliable defencemen.
In net, the Predators will look for Pekka Rinne to return to form after struggling with hip injuries through 2013 and early 2014. Rinne didn’t look like himself when he returned to the ice in March after five months off and if he can’t play like he did in the previous three seasons, when his goals-against average was consistently below 2.50, the Predators may look to add some goaltending insurance as well.
Possible signing targets
Thomas Vanek (LW): If you’re looking to add offence this summer, Vanek is one of the best options on the market.
Jussi Jokinen (LW): A talented winger who had a 30-goal season not long ago.
Ryan Callahan (RW): Laviolette loves his gritty, two-way players and Callahan fits that mold. | UPDATE: Callahan re-signed with Lightning
