NHL Preview: Under new coach, Preds aim for franchise turnaround
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After making the playoffs seven times in eight seasons, the Predators were absent from the postseason the past two years.
That cost popular Predators coach Barry Trotz his job. But the only coach the team had known didn't stay unemployed long, landing the same gig with the Capitals. Enter veteran coach Peter Laviolette, who guided the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup title in 2006 and has coached three NHL teams over a dozen seasons.
It was Laviolette's penchant for offense and track record for jumpstarting teams upon arrival that made him attractive to the Predators, who had relied on a sturdy defense and world-class goaltending under Trotz. But the desire for a change in philosophy -- i.e., an attacking and aggressive offense -- made Laviolette the natural choice.
As the Predators open the season with three-straight home games and six of their first eight at Bridgestone Arena, including Thursday's visit by the Senators, we take a look at their season outlook:
Goaltending: The Predators missed the playoffs by only game one last season despite standout goaltender Pekka Rinne playing only 24 games because of a hip infection that followed off-season surgery. Rushed into starting duty in Rinne's absence last season was backup Carter Hutton, who responded by going 20-11-4.
Strong blue line: While ramping up the offense, the Predators still feature one of the best defenses in the NHL, led by perennial All-Star Shea Weber and linemate Roman Josi. Seth Jones, last year's first-round draft pick (No. 4 overall), has unlimited potential while Ryan Ellis got a contract deal done in time to show off his skills, too.
Peter Laviolette: In parts of 12 seasons coaching the Islanders (2001-03), Hurricanes (2003-09) and Flyers (2009-14), Laviolette guided a marked improvement for all three teams in his first season at the helm. His teams have finished in the top 10 in goals scored six times in eight full seasons, and when coaching a team for a full season, it has never finished lower than 13th in goals scored.
Grittiness up front: In getting scoring ace James Neal in a draft-day trade with the Penguins, the Predators gave up gritty forward Patric Hornqvist, a dependable scorer who notched at least 20 goals in each of the last four full seasons. A menace in front of the net, it will be interesting to see who steps up to replace that toughness.
Fitting the pieces: While the top forward line of Neal and Gabriel Bourque centered by veteran Mike Rebeiro appears to be in place, just how the remaining forward lines fall into place will go a long way in determining if the Predators can increase their scoring. Free-agent veterans Derek Roy and Olli Jokinen need to blend with returnees Craig Smith, Colin Wilson, Matt Cullen, Paul Gaustad, Viktor Stalberg and Eric Nystrom. Veteran Mike Fisher is out for several months recovering from an Achilles injury.
That next step: When Seth Jones was taken fourth overall in last year's draft, there was little doubt the athletic and talented skater had the potential to be a star one day. Making his NHL debut on his 19th birthday, he went on to rank in the top seven among NHL rookie defensemen in goals, assists and points. Jones now needs to take that next step, including becoming more of a physical presence on the defensive end. Is he ready to take it?
Pekka Rinne: The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist as the NHL's top goaltender proved he is back by being named most valuable player at the World Championships in May. At age 31, he is already the franchise leader in wins, shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage. In his last full season in 2011-12, he led the NHL in wins and saves.
Shea Weber: Like Rinne, Weber is a world-class talent, helping guide Canada to the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Russia in February. The team captain has been a Norris Trophy finalist as the league's top defenseman three of the last four years and probably should have won it once or twice. He can score, too, ranking as the Predators' all-time leading defenseman in goals and points.
James Neal: Since the start of the 2011-12 season, the 27-year-old ranks second in the NHL in power-play goals and is tied for fifth in goals. The 2012 all-star has scored at least 20 goals in six full seasons, including three each with the Stars and Penguins and 40 goals in that all-star season. He has been re-united with Rebeiro, his former Stars forward mate.
Roman Josi: While Weber is star of the defense and Jones the prize pupil, the team's 2008 second-round draft pick has quietly become one of the league's best blueliners. Josi, 24, was one of only 16 NHL defensemen last year to notch double digits in goals and score 40 or more points. A fine complement to Weber, he was second on the team and 24th in the league in blocked shots.
Craig Smith: While Neal and other free agent forwards were signed for offensive infusion, this 2009 fourth-round draft pick who recently turned 25 led the Predators in goals last season. He also had the team's best plus-minus ratio by a forward since the 2009-10 season. He is being relied upon to take the next step in becoming a big-time scorer.
Filip Forsberg: Sooner or later, this former first-round draft pick of the Capitals who came to the team season before last in a trade for veteran forward Martin Erat will realize his huge scoring potential. Crazy to think, but he made his NHL debut at the end of the 2012-13 season before graduating from high school in Sweden.
Even with Rinne out two-thirds of the season, the Predators only missed the playoffs by one game. If the team even backed into the postseason, there was a general consensus that maybe it was time for a change from Trotz, previously the longest-tenured coach with the same team in the NHL. He is the 15th-winningest coach in NHL history and fourth among current coaches.
Just how quickly the Predators can acclimate to the aggressive and attacking offensive system of Laviolette will go a long way in the team returning to the playoffs. The new coach said forward lines will be fluid for at least the first 10-15 games.
While the offense figures itself out, the strength of the team remains defense and goaltending. If the Predators can take a big jump in scoring, then they should have that balance so long desired.
Certainly, the Western Conference is deep and strong, as evidenced by three-straight Stanley Cups. Most pundits figure the Predators will finish near the bottom of the Central Division, much less challenge for the upper half of the conference.
But there appears to be a quiet confidence surrounding the Predators, anchored by the return of Rinne and a stellar defense and buoyed by the influx and return of goal scorers up front. Considering the team missed the playoffs by only one game in a disappointing season last year, here's saying the Predators will get into the playoffs as the Western Conference's No. 8 seed.
