Wow, what a whirlwind of action from the Nashville Predators! After an unprecedented free agency frenzy on July 1, the Predators are heading into the 2024-25 season with a massively upgraded roster. General manager Barry Trotz splurged more than $111 million in just one day, marking the most the franchise has ever spent in an offseason. This bold move brought in forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, defenseman Brady Skjei, and backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood. On top of that, Trotz re-signed defenseman Alex Carrier to a three-year extension and locked in star goaltender Juuse Saros for an additional eight years.
A Fresh Forward Lineup
Let's dive into what the Predators' forward lineup might look like for the upcoming season. Their top line from last season, featuring Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist, is set to return. This trio was a powerhouse, scoring 85 goals and allowing only 44, resulting in a 65% goal share according to Natural Stat Trick.
Now, with Stamkos and Marchessault joining the mix, coach Andrew Brunette has some exciting new options. Stamkos scored 40 goals last season with the Lightning, while Marchessault notched 42 with the Golden Knights. If Brunette keeps last season's top line intact, he has to figure out the best way to integrate his new offensive weapons.
One intriguing possibility is pairing Marchessault, a right winger, with Stamkos, who, while a center, has mostly played left wing recently. These two have a history together from the 2015-16 season with Tampa Bay, where they had some success.
Centering the New Duo
Brunette has three main options for centering Stamkos and Marchessault:
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Tommy Novak: At 26, Novak is a skilled playmaker with 18 goals and 27 assists last season. While he’s not the fastest or most physical player, his vision in the offensive zone could perfectly complement the scoring prowess of Stamkos and Marchessault.
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Colton Sissons: The 30-year-old dependable two-way center had 15 goals and 20 assists last season. Known more for his face-off wins and puck possession than his offensive spark, Sissons could provide stability for this dynamic duo.
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Cody Glass: At 24, Glass has struggled with injuries but is looking to secure his spot on this now-stacked roster.
Projected Forward Lines
Training camp will ultimately decide the final lineup, but here's a potential look:
- First Line: Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Gustav Nyquist
- Second Line: Steven Stamkos - Colton Sissons - Jonathan Marchessault
- Third Line: Cody Glass - Tommy Novak - Luke Evangelista
- Fourth Line: Cole Smith - Michael McCarron - Mark Jankowski
Revamped Defense
Trotz also made significant changes to the defense, notably trading Ryan McDonagh to the Lightning and signing Brady Skjei to a seven-year deal. This transformed the Predators' defense corps for the foreseeable future.
Key Defensemen
Roman Josi continues to be the team's top-paid defenseman, earning $9 million per year through the 2027-28 season. Skjei’s $7 million per year makes him the de facto No. 2 defenseman. Following them are Alex Carrier ($3.75 million), Luke Schenn ($2.75 million), Dante Fabbro ($2.5 million), and Jeremy Lauzon ($2 million).
Spencer Stastney, who filed for arbitration as a restricted free agent, is likely to stay with Nashville next season. The 24-year-old showed promise with four points in the final 20 games of the last regular season.
Defensive Pairings
Here’s how the Predators' defense might shape up:
- Top Pair: Brady Skjei - Roman Josi
- Second Pair: Jeremy Lauzon - Alex Carrier
- Third Pair: Spencer Stastney - Luke Schenn
- Extra Defenseman: Dante Fabbro
Defensive pairings often depend on handedness. Skjei and Lauzon are left-handed and play exclusively on the left side, while Josi, also left-handed, is versatile enough to play both sides. The Lauzon-Carrier duo was one of the best combinations last season, and Stastney’s speed and skating ability complement Schenn’s size and physical play nicely.
Cap Space Considerations
With this stacked defense, Dante Fabbro finds himself as the odd man out. He’s a prime candidate for a trade as Trotz looks to manage the cap space effectively.
Goaltending Solidified
Juuse Saros, now locked in for eight more years, remains the ace in goal. Adding Scott Wedgewood as a backup provides reliable depth between the pipes.
The Playoff Push
In just one week, Trotz dispelled any notion of the Predators rebuilding or retooling. Instead, he constructed a lineup that’s ready to compete for a playoff spot in the NHL. This bold offseason strategy has positioned the Nashville Predators as a formidable contender, much to the excitement of their fans.
So, as the 2024-25 season approaches, the Nashville Predators are poised to make a serious impact with their revamped roster, aiming to go deep into the playoffs and perhaps even beyond. Keep an eye on this team – they’re ready to make some noise!
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