FOX Sports Tennessee offers a spring look-ahead involving some of the Nashville Predators' core members:
2014-15 Statistics: 37 games played, zero goals, 10 assists
2015-16 Contract Status: Signed, contract to expire at the end of next season
SEASON SUMMARY
With a more stable defensive core this year, Predators defenseman Victor Bartley found himself on the outside looking in for the majority of the regular season campaign.
In 37 games, Bartley offered the Predators a reliable option on the back end -- whenever his services were called upon.
Surprisingly enough, Bartley spent the majority of his on-ice time paired up with fellow defenseman Seth Jones -- mostly in lieu of Anton Volchenkov. Nashville's biggest issue was finding some semblance of durability in its sixth and final defenseman.
The Predators signed Volchenkov for one year, establishing they may have treated Bartley as more of an unknown commodity. After Volchenkov incurred a four-game suspension early in November, Bartley stepped in and handled his own for a Nashville squad that continued to dominate over the next handful of weeks.
Most impressively, Bartley finished the season behind only Volchenkov and Shea Weber for hits amongst defensemen (77) -- averaging at least two per game. Statistically, his 10 assists were a career high, and a personal best for points, as well.
PLAY OF THE YEAR
On Valentine's Day, late in the third period against the New Jersey Devils, the Predators were circling opposing goaltender Cory Schneider like vultures waiting on their prey.
As the Preds pressed all five Devils toward their goaltender, forward Mike Ribeiro found a wide open Bartley all alone with empty space to the right side of Schneider.
After Ribeiro's brilliant cross-ice pass to hit him in stride, Bartley immediately put the shot toward the net. Whether it was intentional or not, Bartley's shot found the waiting stick of Colin Wilson, who ripped it home for the eventual game-winner.
Thanks to the play, Nashville would go on to win 3-1 and collect its fifth straight win.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bartley was serviceable to the Predators when they needed him most. That's what can be remembered about his time during the last two seasons.
Was he the best option to have on the ice? Maybe not, and that would explain the signing of Volchenkov prior to the season.
Yet, the reality is that Bartley gave Nashville a hard-hitting defenseman -- who made more good choices than bad -- to pair up with Jones in his sophomore year. This coming from a defenseman in only his third professional season.
Preferably, I'd like to see Bartley utilize his booming shot from the blueline more in his future games with Nashville than he did this year -- only collecting 28 shots in his 37 games all season. Bartley's slapshot could rival Weber's for hardest on the team and give the Predators another weapon.
Bartley is signed through next season -- along with Jones and Mattias Ekholm. However, Bartley may ultimately be an expendable piece of their defense.
The next couple of months should be interesting in determining what Bartley's role will be next year. The primary question: How often will Bartley be used?
