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Nashville Predators: 2019-20 NHL season preview, predictions

By Dave Stevenson

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 20: Teammates celebrate a second period goal by center Ryan Johansen (92) during Game Five of Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, held on April 20, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 20: Teammates celebrate a second period goal by center Ryan Johansen (92) during Game Five of Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, held on April 20, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Rob Marczynski/NHLI via Getty Images /

After failing to get out of the first round, the Nashville Predators made a bold move and signed Matt Duchene. Is that enough to get them a Stanley Cup?

The Nashville Predators have been one of the NHL’s best teams over the past five seasons. They have the fourth-most points in the regular season during that span, trailing only the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Washington Capitals. However, the Predators have zero Stanley Cups to show for it.

Last season, the Preds finished first in the Central Division but limped into the postseason. This caused them to get upset by the Dallas Stars in six games in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Predators promised changes, and there were two huge ones.

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It cost them defenseman P.K. Subban, who they had to trade for pennies on the dollar, but the Predators got bold to solve their second-line center problem by signing long-time target Matt Duchene in free agency. It’s a match made in heaven.

For years, the Predators have relied a bit too much on their defense and on their top forward line. Duchene gives them arguably the strongest group of top-six forwards that they’ve ever had. But is it enough to bring the Stanley Cup to Nashville?

Offseason Recap

Added: Daniel Carr, Jeremy Davies, Matt Duchene, Connor Ingram, Steven Santini

Lost: Brian Boyle, Cody McLeod, Wayne Simmonds, P.K. Subban

Duchene’s obviously the big addition. He’s a tad bit overrated, as many think he’s a top-line center when he’s closer to a second-line center. However, Duchene is capable of dominating in a second-line role. The Predators second line gave them fits last season and he should help fix those issues.

Carr led the AHL in scoring last season, so he’s as interesting as they come for depth forwards. The Predators have had success with similar players, so don’t be surprised if he winds up being a contributor in the NHL. Davies is a very nice prospect and was acquired in the Subban trade, along with Santini. Ingram gives them a bit of goaltending depth in the AHL. He’s extremely talented.

Losing Subban was huge, but on the bright side, he was the only significant loss for the Predators. They still might bring back Brian Boyle, who was a nice fourth-line center for them last season.

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