Nashville Predators

[Shift Disturber]

With all the signings, I have to believe Nashville will be a darkhorse to make playoffs this year.

my projected lines would be

1st line: Neal - Ribeiro - Smith
2nd line: Jokinen - Fisher - Wilson
3d line: Stalberg - Roy - Jarnkrok
4th line - Nystrom - Cullen - Bourque/Clune/Gaustad

d1: Weber - Josi
d2: Jones - Ellis
d3: Bartley - Ekholm

g: Rinne
backup: Hutton

fairly decent IMO

So Forsberg goes back to the farm?

[Dutch]

I don't see too many question marks.

first line is fairly solid. Probably as good as we've ever seen without the kariya days.

second line is fairly tough to play against I think. Jokinen Fisher and Wilson could be solid together

third line fairly decent if roy finds his groove. Jarnkrok is gonna be awesome, and stalberg could be great

fourth line is probably more like a third line as well.

It is still gonna be scoring by committee, but our first line is actually better than the other lines unlike in years past.

don't be surprised to see preds claim 6th or 7th spot in the west. That might be a bit generous, but at the same time I can see that happen easily.

if rinne stays healthy this year for sure.

[rataylor22]

With all the signings, I have to believe Nashville will be a darkhorse to make playoffs this year.

my projected lines would be

1st line: Neal - Ribeiro - Smith
2nd line: Jokinen - Fisher - Wilson
3d line: Stalberg - Roy - Jarnkrok
4th line - Nystrom - Cullen - Bourque/Clune/Gaustad

d1: Weber - Josi
d2: Jones - Ellis
d3: Bartley - Ekholm

g: Rinne
backup: Hutton

fairly decent IMO

To make the playoffs that would require them beating out Colorado, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, and Dallas this season, while playing a ton of games against those teams. West playoff teams last season

Anaheim
Colorado
St. Louis
San Jose
Chicago
Los Angeles
Minnesota
Dallas

Not to mention how Minnesota and Dallas have improved more this season than Nashville has (IMO) and the six above them haven't really regressed. Sorry, but I don't see it this year.

[Dutch]

I would think Forsberg goes one more year to the farm. if he makes the team, then I don't know at whose expense it would be. Perhaps there is a trade waiting to happen still.

and fisher is hurt for a while, so he wont start the season.

[rataylor22]

I don't see too many question marks.

first line is fairly solid. Probably as good as we've ever seen without the kariya days.

second line is fairly tough to play against I think. Jokinen Fisher and Wilson could be solid together

third line fairly decent if roy finds his groove. Jarnkrok is gonna be awesome, and stalberg could be great

fourth line is probably more like a third line as well.

It is still gonna be scoring by committee, but our first line is actually better than the other lines unlike in years past.

don't be surprised to see preds claim 6th or 7th spot in the west. That might be a bit generous, but at the same time I can see that happen easily.

if rinne stays healthy this year for sure.

6th requires them finishing higher than Colorado, St. Louis, and Chicago. So which one?

[Dutch]

To make the playoffs that would require them beating out Colorado, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, and Dallas this season, while playing a ton of games against those teams. West playoff teams last season

Anaheim
Colorado
St. Louis
San Jose
Chicago
Los Angeles
Minnesota
Dallas

Not to mention how Minnesota and Dallas have improved more this season than Nashville has (IMO) and the six above them haven't really regressed. Sorry, but I don't see it this year.

I never said it was easy. But I can see them sneak into the 7th or 8th, 6th in a magical year.

I bet san jose will be out this year.

[rataylor22]

I never said it was easy. But I can see them sneak into the 7th or 8th, 6th in a magical year.

I bet san jose will be out this year.

You must be thinking old playoff setup. San Jose just has to beat out the likes of Arizona, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton while getting to beat up on those same teams.

[Dutch]

You must be thinking old playoff setup. San Jose just has to beat out the likes of Arizona, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton while getting to beat up on those same teams.

yeah you are right.

not used yet to the new ones haha.
well maybe it will be tougher then.

but I still 100% believe we can make it into 7th or 8th spot.

As to who they would drop, I am not sure then

- - - Updated - - -

I can see Dallas Minnesota and Nashville all fighting for the last 2 spots.

but isn't there a wild card too?

[doulos]

I could see Nashville in the running for McDavid rather than the playoffs.

However, as I said earlier, they have that strange mixture of players that could go any direction.

[Dutch]

Joshua cooper has the d pairings as follows for next year. So I was definitely off haha

josi - weber

ekholm - ellis

volchenkov - jones

odd man out, bartley

[Zorro]

How many points does Craig Smith get this season?? Is he worth picking up in a points only league??

[Dutch]

I have no idea really. I am not a point predictor really.

But if I had to take a guess, I'd put him at 55-60 ish

[DMaz16]

Chiming in on the standings debate count me as one who thinks the Preds even with the upgrades up front won't be a serious contender for a playoff spot. The issue is that they play in the stacked Central division and despite improvements, Dallas and Minnesota also improved drastically.

[petegreg21]

Chiming in on the standings debate count me as one who thinks the Preds even with the upgrades up front won't be a serious contender for a playoff spot. The issue is that they play in the stacked Central division and despite improvements, Dallas and Minnesota also improved drastically.

I'm on board with that notion. It makes things very difficult when 5 teams in your division are better than you. Healthy Pekka Rinne helps, but I don't think Nashville is a playoff team.

[vitun-tyhmä]

Ryan Ellis and the Preds are nowhere close in their contract talks

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/565951