The Nashville Predators had a solid season last year that ended in a Conference Semifinal loss to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Predators have had a major departure to their roster, leaving many fans to speculate on this season’s success.
The offseason brought both good and bad news as it pertains to the defensive core.
Starting with the good news, while faced with having to match an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers to defenseman Shea Weber, the team responded, locking up Weber to a 14-year, $110 million dollar contract. The organization, clearly viewed Weber to be the player they want to lead their team for the next 14 years. Contributing 19 goals and 30 assists last year, his main contribution is bringing a physical presence that opponents fear. Simply put by the franchise, Nashville called matching the Weber offer sheet “the most important hockey transaction in franchise history.”
On to the bad news, the team missed out on signing defensive free agent Ryan Suter. Suter, like Weber, is a physical presence but also brings a more controlled play style. His shut down defensive style saw a plus 15 rating in a team leading ice-time of 26 minutes and 30 seconds. While on offense, he contributed 46 points, 25 of which came on the powerplay. Suter opted to sign with the Minnesota Wild, leaving the Predators with a big hole to fill.
The hole is expected to be one day be filled by Ryan Ellis. Only 21 years of age, Ellis began in the American Hockey League last season, producing 18 points in 29 games. His efforts saw a promotion to the big leagues where in 32 contests, he netted three goals and had eight helpers.
“I was able to play in a handful of games,” Ellis told NHL.com. “It was nice to kind of get my feet wet and see what it’s all about. The season ended before we wanted it to, but it was nice to get that experience. I’m looking forward to having a strong camp and contributing more.”
In time, scouts are predicting the young player will eventually pick up the powerplay where Suter left off. In 2010-2011 while playing with the Windsor Spitfire of the Ontario Hockey League, in his final year in junior status, he scored 24 goals and assisted on 77 for a total of 101 points. He took the honors of being named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year and CHL Defenseman of the Year.
“I think everyone is going to have to chip in more,” Ellis told NHL.com when asked about potentially filling the void left by Suter’s departure. “It’s going to have to be done by committee. He’s such a great player that we’re all going to have to step it up.”
On offense, the team is more or less the same team, despite losing feisty Jordin Tootoo to the Detroit Red Wings and Alexander Radulov to Russia. Point leader Martin Erat shows no signs of slowing down while Mike Fisher continues to develop into an offensive threat. Veteran David Legwand should continue to find net and Sergei Kostitsyn, the non-causing trouble Kostitsyn, had another solid season since departing from the Montreal Canadiens. Patric Hormqvist, Crig Smith and Colin Wilson round out the top seven producing offense-man from last season.
In net the Predators have one of the best goalies in the league in Pekka Rinne. Rinne carried the team at times last season, starting 72 games and posting a 43-18-0 record. He had a 2.39 goals against average and a .923 saver percentage. Seeing his stats it is easy to see that Rinne is the new Martin Brodeur of the league.
All and all, no matter what way you slice it, the Predators lost a key defensive player, but as a whole, the team is still in tact. A good mix of veterans and youth, as well as one of the best net-minders in the league, all lead by no-neck, excellent Head Coach Barry Trotz, the Predators should have no problem building upon last year’s success.
