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Nashville Predators preview: P.K. Subban leads Stanley Cup caliber defense

By Dave Stevenson

Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images /
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Nashville Predators P.K. Subban
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images /

Led by P.K. Subban, the Nashville Predators identity lies in their defense. Can the NHL’s best blueline lead the way as the Preds hope to bring the Stanley Cup to Nashville? 

The 2017-18 NHL season must be seen as a success for the Nashville Predators. They had lofty expectations entering the season after making their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history. Though the Predators fell short of their ultimate goal, losing to the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they had a ton of success and it started with star defenseman P.K. Subban.

For the first time in franchise history, the Preds won the Central Division. Not only that, they finished the regular season with the best record in the NHL. Meanwhile, Subban was named a Norris Trophy finalist as he led the NHL’s most dynamic defense. They only allowed 211 goals, the second-fewest in the league, trailing solely the Los Angeles Kings.

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Despite a rather quiet summer, the Predators enter the 2018-19 season as a strong Stanley Cup contender. They’re bringing back most of their President’s Trophy-winning roster from last season and their greatest strength got even stronger in the process.

Offseason Recap

Additions: D Dan Hamhuis, F Connor Brickley, F Rocco Grimaldi, D Jared Tinnordi, F Zac Rinaldo

As usual, the Predators summer focused heavily on taking care of their own. General Manager David Poile’s top priority was ensuring the future of defenseman Ryan Ellis. He did that by signing him to an eight-year extension. This ensures three of the Predators’ best four defensemen will be around for the next four seasons and all four are under team control for the next two seasons.

Poile’s next objective was to keep future franchise goaltender Juuse Saros around. The RFA signed a cheap three-year deal and will likely see an increase in games this year as he prepares to potentially replace longtime goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Signing Hamhuis makes Nashville’s blueline even better. It also provides them with a better option in the top four in case someone gets injured.

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