The Nashville Predators caught a glimpse last season of their potential.
The Predators were expected to make strides with Peter Laviolette taking over as coach and with the talent on their roster, but few could have envisioned them being one of the league's premier teams for much of the regular season. They were rolling with a 41-13-7 record in late February before injuries and an inconsistent offense derailed their season. Even with a poor regular-season finish, they still gave the Chicago Blackhawks all they could handle in the first round.
The season ended in disappointment because the Predators elevated the bar so quickly for themselves. But as the Predators prepare for this season, last season is now something they can look back on as a learning experience. The good outweighed the bad, and last season's ups and downs have prepared them to better fulfill their potential this season.
The Predators will be at it again with nearly the same personnel. If Pekka Rinne and Shea Weber can continue at their elite level and the younger up-and-coming stars Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Seth Jones can further progress, the Predators have a real shot at maintaining that success over the course of an entire season.
BEST NEW FACES
What the Predators did this offseason can be best described as fine-tuning their roster. Their top-six forwards, top-four defensemen and starting goaltender were left alone. Predators general manager David Poile added and subtracted a few pieces around that core.
Forward Cody Hodgson was signed to a one-year deal, and defenseman Barret Jackman was brought on with a two-year contract. The Predators are hopeful the 25-year-old Hodgson can rebound from last season, when he had only six goals and 13 points in 78 games. In the 2013-14 season, he set career marks with 20 goals and 24 assists in 72 games. He could give the Predators some depth scoring. In the 34-year-old Jackman, the Predators add a veteran defenseman who has been around the Central Division for some time.
Kevin Fiala, a 19-year-old forward, is a prospect who could step into the lineup this season and have an impact. He had 11 goals and 20 points in 33 AHL games last season.
BIGGEST UNKNOWNS
The Predators went through stretches last season where their offense disappeared. There were 12 regular-season games from March 1 through the end of the season where they scored two goals or fewer. For the season, they finished 14th overall, averaging 2.76 goals per game. Their defense will again be one of the league's best, but they definitely could use more scoring. If the Predators can get a bit more from James Neal and Mike Ribeiro, and find depth scoring in someone like Hodgson, that could take care of those offensive concerns.
SURE THINGS
Weber and Rinne are where it starts for the Predators. Weber was in the Norris Trophy conversation again last season, and Rinne was dominant until he suffered a late-season injury.
Beyond those two, the Predators have players who are working their way up. Josi had a breakout season in 2014-15 with 15 goals, 40 assists and a plus-24 goal differential. It's something he isn't resting on.
"I think I still have to make a lot of progress," Josi said. "There's so many good defensemen who have done it for years. Obviously playing with [Weber], he's been a top player in the league I don't know how many years. I feel like I still have a lot to prove and just try to get better every year."
Forsberg proved much last season. He scored a team-best 26 goals and recorded 63 points in his first full NHL season. He produced in the playoffs as well with four goals and six points. He will look to improve on those numbers in his second season.
WORLD CUP CANDIDATES
Forsberg didn't play for Sweden in Sochi, but he could be a difference-maker for them this time around. Rinne probably will join the Boston Bruins' Tuukka Rask as Finland's goaltending tandem. Weber will undoubtedly play a large role for Canada again. Josi will find a home on Team Europe for the tournament. If Jones can take that next step, that could big for Team North America.
PENDING FREE AGENTS
The Predators will have two major restricted free agents in Jones and Forsberg after this season. Considering their ages and what they have already done in their young careers, the Predators will have to pay significantly to get both players locked up. The Predators can be expected to do just that, too.
PREDICTION
The Predators weren't a fluke last season. They're going to be right there again. They need more offense to come through, but they should finish in the top two spots in the Central again and be a threat to come out of the Western Conference during the playoffs. Second in the Central Division.