07-08 RECORD: 41-32-9 91 pointsDIVISION: 2nd
CONFERENCE: 8th
RESULT: Lost in 1st round
OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: LW Josh Gratton(PHO), LW Ryan Jones(PHI), C Nick Tarnasky(TB)
DEPARTURES: LW Martin Gelinas, LW Jan Hlavac, LW Darcy Hordichuk, G Chris Mason, D Marek Zidlicky, RW Alexander Radulov
Off-season after off-season the Preds have been in tough to bring in anyone. Big names have elected to go elsewhere to a point where GM David Poile pretty much doesnt even make the effort to go after them. Coach Barry Trotz, the Preds only coach since they came in the league in 98' has done a remarkable job in getting the best out of his players and over-achieving making the Preds a playoff team the last couple of seasons. Drafting has been the only thing that has saved the Preds with stars like Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Martin Erat and Alexander Radulov. This off-season has been the probably been the toughest for the Preds because they lost their star RW who they drafted and still had under contract. Alex Radulov ignored his current contract and signed in the new Russian league, the KHL. This contract is going to go to an arbitrator but the Preds have already took action and suspended Radulov for the whole year without pay. This one is not only going to hurt the Preds this season but into the future because Radulov was developing into their franchise player, a had a plan to build their team around him. Now the Preds are back to step one.
CAP HIT: 43.39 million
FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- J-P.DUMONT-J.ARNOTT-M.ERAT
2- R.JONES-D.LEGWAND-P.HORNQVIST
3- V.FIDDLER-R.BONK-J.TOOTOO
4- S.NICHOL-N.TARNASKY-J.SMITHSON
E- J.ORTMEYER-R.PEVERLY-S.SULLIVAN(INJ.)
The Preds will have trouble scoring goals this year, especially without Radulov. Steve Sullivan will start the season on injured reserve with his bad back so the Preds will look to J-P Dumont, Jason Arnott and Martin Erat to provide and lead their offense. All three were good last season with Dumont and Arnott leading the team in points with 72. Erat is now the focal point of the Preds offense with his new contract and the Preds are hoping this is the year he can produce in the 70 point range as well. Rookie Patric Hornqvist has even more pressure on him with the loss of Radulov to provide the Preds with some secondary scoring. David Legwand has never lived up to his 2nd overall selection but if he finally does this season it will be happy times in Nashville where they will just have to say better late then never. Ryan Jones who was acquired from the Flyers will also be looked upon to provide some secondary scoring in his rookie season. The Preds third line has lots of grit with Vernon Fiddler, Radek Bonk and Jordin Tootoo but all with have to help out more offensively. Scott Nichol, Nick Tarnasky, Jerred Smithson and Jed Ortmeyer will cycle through the 4th line bringing the toughness and grit night in and night out.
DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- S.WEBER-D.HAMHUIS
2- V.KOISTINEN-R.SUTER
3- G.De VRIES-G.ZANON
E- K.KLEIN-A.SULZER
The Preds have one of the best young defensive corps in the league. Lead by Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis the Preds have a good mix of offensive and defensive defensemen throughout the group. Weber will look to rebound after a injuring filled season which saw him appear in only 54 games. He will be a star defensemen for years to come and the Preds will build their team around him. Hamhuis has been steady throughout his career and is developing into a very good defensemen. Ville Koistinen was a pleasant surprise last season and along with Ryan Suter, round out the Preds top-4. Greg De Vries is the veteran of the group and alongside Greg Zanon, they bring the toughness.
GOALIES:
1- D.ELLIS
2- P.RINNE
3- D.MacINTYRE
This is another concern for the Preds this season. Dan Ellis was great last year but it came out of no where and the Preds need him to repeat his performance. Ellis is still young and was the Predators top priority to sign in the off-season. Pekka Rinne is highly touted so if Ellis falters, Rinne will be there to step into his place.
OVERALL
The loss of Radulov has to hurt the Predators alot. This is a bigger loss than any of their big name players signing elsewhere. All their work in drafting and developing players through their own system, then to have one of their best leave while still under contract must have the franchise questioning themselves. Radulov could make a return one day but his relationship with the franchise has been severely damaged. With that the Preds have never been the one to quit and as long as Trotz is being the bench the Preds have a chance to win. This season however with all the questions surrounding the franchise it could be tough especially in the insanely competitive western conference.
PREDICTION: 3rd Division, 11th Conference
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