Nashville Predators: 3 key players for the 2019-20 season

The Nashville Predators made some big moves this offseason and expectations are very high. Here are three key players for the 2019-2020 season.

After a surprising and disappointing early playoff exit last season, the Nashville Predators will be looking to redeem themselves. In the summer they made some big moves, trading away star defenceman P.K. Subban for cap relief and defensive prospects and signing UFA Matt Duchene.

They signed Duchene to a massive deal for seven years at $8 million a season to bolster their center depth and give the team some much-needed offensive firepower. If the Predators are to bounce back from a disappointing season, they’re going to need these three players to step up and perform to their max:

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3. Roman Josi

Roman Josi is entering the last year of his contract and will be looking to earn a big pay raise from his 4 million dollars a season. Last season was one of his most productive seasons where he recorded 56 points (15G 41A), the second-most points on the team.

He plays the most out of all Predators’ skaters and averages over 25 minutes a game. With the departure of P.K. Subban, he will be relied on heavily for point production and ice time, something he is used to.

A big reason for trading Subban away was to take away from a strength (defence) to address a weakness (offence). The Predators’ defence is one of the best in the league and as long as Josi can continue to be consistent with his play, Nashville’s defence will remain strong despite the trade.

2. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne turns 37 this November but so far, his play has not regressed too much. The Predators have always been smart with his workload and with Juuse Saros backing him up, it’s a good way to conserve Rinne while also giving the young backup legitimate chances in net.

Last season, Rinne was great in the playoffs but the team in front of him was not. As long as he continues to put up his great numbers, it gives the Predators a good shot at the playoffs and beyond. The key is that Nashville monitors his health throughout the season so that he is ready to go when the games matter the most. As long as Rinne’s age doesn’t get to his play, the Predators are in for an exciting season.

1. Matt Duchene

One of the biggest UFA signings this summer was Matt Duchene and it was a big gamble for the Predators to make. They traded away their star defenceman for a star center and it’s vital for this move to work out if the team is to make their next step.

Ever since the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017, it was obvious for the Predators that their biggest problem was their lack of center depth. David Poile made it his life’s mission to resolve that and he has done a phenomenal job, slowly bringing key pieces into the fold every year.

It started with Nick Bonino, then Kyle Turris, and the final piece of the puzzle was Duchene. Now Nashville has a legitimate center group that gives them plenty of depth which is key in the playoffs.

Duchene will be counted on to improve the team’s offensive production as the Predators didn’t have a single player hit 30 goals last season. Nashville’s powerplay was also dead-last in the league and Duchene will be counted on to lead them out of the gutter.

The Nashville Predators have a very good team on their hands that can really contend for the Stanley Cup this season. If these three players play to their full potential, this team has a shot of finishing what they started back in 2017.