Needs More Bite

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

2012-13 record: 16-23-9 (41 points)
Missed the playoffs.
Captain: Shea Weber

For all of the talk about what impact losing Ryan Suter would have on Shea Weber, the real story of the Nashville Predators was one that has been all too familiar in their entire existence: scoring, or the lack thereof.  Tied for last in goals per game, their defense had to pick up for them, and it eventually caught up with them, as everyone had off years, including 2012 Vezina finalist Pekka Rinne.  Not a lot figures to change, as the Predators will once again try to cobble together an offense by committee, one that they hope will be spearheaded by their blue line, as Weber, Roman Josi, and potentially Seth Jones are in fact, three of the team's four best players.  Defensively shouldn't be a problem for as long as Rinne remains healthy, but there will be a new backup, as Magnus Hellberg is penciled in that role.  The hope here is that he is a little better than last year's backup Chris Mason, who posted a dreadful 3.73 GAA.  As for who will provide the offense up front, it will have to be by committee, as newcomers Viktor Stalberg and Matt Cullen will join Mike Fisher, David Legwand, and Patric Hornqvist.

Prospects:  Jones is likely to make the opening night roster, but he won't have to perform as a number one defenseman every night, as that is Weber's role.  He will most likely open on the second defensive pairing.  Filip Forsberg came over in the Martin Erat trade last year, and he also could have an impact right away, as the Preds need all the goal scoring they can get right now.  Austin Watson could use a little more weight, but if he has a strong first few months, he could force his way onto the roster at some point in the season.  Mattias Ekholm could make it four rookies on the roster with a strong training camp, but it would have to be as a third pairing player.

Prediction: 4th in the Central Division

While the Predators won't have the offense of 2012, there is also no way they will be ranked in the bottom third on defense again.  The back end is just too good to be posting those numbers, but it will take a better offensive effort to prevent the defense from being overtaxed once again.