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

Projected Lineup

How will the Nashville Predators look this season? Here’s a peek at their projected lineup, with some help from Daily Faceoff and Roster Resource.

Forwards

Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala – Kyle Turris – Craig Smith

Eeli Tolvanen – Nick Bonino – Ryan Hartman

Miika Salomaki – Calle Jarnkrok – Colton Sissons

Extra forward candidates: Frederik Gaudreau, Zac Rinaldo

16 trios saw at least 500 minutes at five-on-five during the regular season in 2017-18. The Predators top two forward lines were among them and both were extremely effective. Forsberg, Johansen, and Arvidsson dominate possession and put pucks in the net. Only two of the 16 trios had a higher goals for per hour rate than them and the Predators outscored their opponents 33-15 with their top line on the ice.

Fiala, Turris, and Smith had the highest expected goals for percentage (61.28 percent) of those 16 trios with at least 500 minutes. What’s scary is they were even better as far as goals for percentage, as the Predators outscored their opponents 32-13 with their second line on the ice.

Their third line struggled a bit last season as far as putting pucks in the net. 2017 first-round pick Tolvanen will likely make the NHL roster to start the season and would give the line a much-needed goal scoring threat. The Predators have the depth to let him spend some time in the AHL, but considering how effortlessly he dominated in the KHL, he’s definitely NHL ready.

The fourth line traditionally sees a lot of defensive zone starts. This season will be no different. Jarnkrok and Sissons are both legit NHL players who have experience playing higher in the lineup. Salomaki will likely take Austin Watson‘s spot in the lineup until he returns from suspension, but it’s worth noting the Predators usually put an enforcer in the lineup.

If this remains the case, Rinaldo’s likely his replacement. Predators fans should be rooting against that happening as he grades out as one of the least effective players in the NHL.

Defensemen

Mattias Ekholm – P.K. Subban

Roman Josi – Ryan Ellis

Dan Hamhuis – Yannick Weber

Extra defenseman candidates: Matt Irwin, Anthony Bitetto

It’s not a stretch at all to say the Preds have the league’s most efficient core of defensemen. You could argue the San Jose Sharks have a better top four. After all, they have two most impactful defenseman on offense (Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns). But from top to bottom, the Predators are better.

Behind every Norris Trophy finalist, there’s a really good defenseman who helps optimize him on the ice. Ekholm is the Robin to Subban’s Batman and is arguably the NHL’s most underrated defenseman. He excels in the defensive zone and allows Subban to do what he does best. While the top two pairings get very similar playing time, I’d consider Ekholm and Subban to be their top pairing because they draw the tougher assignments.

Josi and Ellis force teams to pick their poison when considering matchups. They’re equally as effective as the top pairing. Also, Josi and Ellis give the Predators some options in case they want to give Subban a rest against top competition and let him flourish in more offensive situations.

Hamhuis has long been underappreciated. He’s a legitimate top-four defenseman, though age has caused him to fall into the lower end of that tier. Hamhuis should excel in a third-pairing role and is capable of filling in the top four short-term in case of an injury. Weber isn’t anything to write home about, but his game complements Hamhuis.

Goaltenders

Pekka Rinne

Juuse Saros

Rinne is the reigning Vezina Trophy candidate. However, I’d be wary of him repeating those numbers. At the age of 35, Rinne posted his best numbers since the 2010-11 season. He turns 36 in November, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a bit of regression.

Luckily, the Predators have Saros to help control Rinne’s usage. He has posted outstanding numbers and is arguably the best backup goalie in the NHL. Saros has seen his playing time consistently rise each season.

I expect him to make anywhere from 20 to 35 appearances. If you play fantasy hockey and are willing to do the research necessary to know when he’ll get starts, I highly recommend using him. Since Saros is a backup, he should be available on waivers most of the time.