2009-10 Nashville Predators Preview

The Predators strengths lie in stopping the opposition from scoring, but an inability to score is what kept them out of the playoffs. Not much changed over the offseason and this year's Nashville squad is going to have to try and win with defense once again.

Head coach Barry Trotz, the franchise's only coach in 10 years of existence, has been able to get the most out of teams that always seem to lack big-name talent. He'll have to do it again if the Predators want to get back in the playoffs.

FORWARDS - The Predators were ranked 24th in the NHL in offense during the 2008-09 season, averaging just 2.52 goals per game. The club's power-play unit was even worse as Nashville converted on just 15.7-percent of its chances and finished 26th in the league on the man advantage.

Nashville general manager David Poile is like Trotz in that he's the only man to hold his position in franchise history and is also asked by ownership to do more with less. This summer, that meant Poile couldn't simply improve his team's offense by luring a big free agent to the Music City.

Instead, the Predators will try and make due with a roster that scored just 207 goals in 2008-09.

Nashville's top line is anchored by veteran centerman Jason Arnott, who last year led the Predators with a club-record 33 goals and was second on the team with 57 points. Arnott's 33 tallies were by far the most by a Nashville forward as defensemen Shea Weber was next on the club with 23 markers in 2008-09.

The team would love for Arnott to add to last year's goal total, which equalled the personal best he had set as a rookie with Edmonton back in 1993-94. Arnott, who will turn 35 years of age on October 11, has scored at least 20 goals in 10 straight seasons.

Winger J.P. Dumont led Nashville in points last year with 65 points on 16 goals and 49 assists. Dumont is valuable as a playmaker on the top line, but he did score 29 goals two years ago for the Preds and the team would benefit greatly if he approached that total in 2009-10.

Steve Sullivan provided a great deal of inspiration for Nashville last season, as he returned to hockey after sitting out almost two full years with a back injury. After scoring 31 goals for Nashville in 2005-06, Sullivan suffered the injury in February of the following season. He came back in January of last season and finished the campaign with 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 41 games.

At 35 years of age, Sullivan is still an injury risk, but if healthy he could provide a big offensive boost on the top line.

The second line is expected to be centered by David Legwand with Martin Erat and Joel Ward on the wings. Erat had 50 points (17g, 33a) last season, while Legwand notched 20 goals and 22 assists. Ward set career-bests in games played (79), goals (17) and points (35) last year, prompting Nashville to sign him to a two-year deal.

The offensive production plummets even more after that, as no other player on this year's roster managed to score 30 points in the NHL last season.

DEFENSE - Thanks to Weber and his defensive partner Ryan Suter, the Predators are able to generate some offense from the blueline.

In addition to his 23 goals, Weber also set career bests in assists (30), points (53), power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (4). He also became the first Nashville draft pick to play in the NHL All-Star Game.

Suter also had a banner year in 2008-09, setting personal bests in assists (38) and points (45). He also led Nashville in ice time, averaging 24 minutes, 15 seconds per game.

Dan Hamhuis is not as productive offensively as Weber and Suter, but he could be the club's best defensive defenseman. Hamhuis played in all 82 games last year and ended with 26 points (3g, 23a).

And the best thing about Nashville's defensive corps is that the players are still improving. Of that group, Hamhuis is the oldest at 26 years of age, while Weber and Suter are 24 and 23, respectively.

The rest of Nashville's blueline will also feature youngsters like 24-year-old Kevin Klein, who should see increased action this year after posting four goals and 12 points in 63 games for the Preds last season.

Rookies Cody Franson, Alexander Sulzer and Jonathon Blum, who was a first- round pick by Nashville in 2007, are expected to battle for the remaining defensive slots.

GOALTENDING - The biggest surprise of the 2008-09 season was the play of Pekka Rinne between the pipes.

Rinne, a 6-5, 207-pound Finn, was expected to back up Dan Ellis last year, but the rookie would eventually win the starting job. The 26-year-old Rinne played in 52 games in 2008-09 and posted a 29-15-4 record to go with a 2.38 goals against average and .917 save percentage.

The Predators couldn't have expected Rinne to reach those heights when they selected him in the eighth round of the 2004 draft, but Trotz trusted the rookie enough to start him in 30 of Nashville's final 35 games last year.

Meanwhile, Ellis will serve as Rinne's backup as he tries to regain his form from two years ago. As a rookie in 2007-08, Ellis went 23-10-3 with a 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage. However, he took a big step back last year, going 11-19-4 with a 2.93 GAA and .900 save percentage.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The Predators have a promising future ahead of them thanks to the young talent on defense and in net and that will help the team remain competitive in the fight for the postseason in 2009-10. However, the club's lack of offensive punch will likely leave them out of the playoff picture for a second straight year.

From The Miami Herald