Stat Hockey’s Nashville Predators 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Nashville Predators 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Filip Forsberg – Ryan O’Reilly – Luke Evangelista

Gustav Nyquist – Cody Glass – Philip Tomasino

Jusso Parssinen – Thomas Novak – Colton Sissons

Denis Gurianov – Yakov Trenin – Kiefer Sherwood

S- Cole Smith, Mark Jankowski

D

Roman Josi – Luke Schenn

Ryan McDonagh – Tyson Barrie

Alexandre Carrier – Dante Fabbro

S- Jeremy Lauzon

G

Juuse Saros

Kevin Lankinen

Forwards

The Predators, the forwards especially, got a lot younger and will be taking the reins this season. The top line features a couple of established players in O’Reilly and Forsberg. These two will have to carry a big load this season. O’Reilly must have a bounce back season offensively and play his two-way game very well if the team wants a chance. He’s not a number one center anymore, but has to be slotted into that role. If Forsberg stays healthy, he is a big offensive contributor. He could be the only point-per-game player on this team. I like Evangelista here on the right side to learn from these veterans. The 21-year-old has the skill and will be playing in the top-six.

Glass is continuing to get better and I think he has more experience in this role than Novak. Nyquist is underrated when healthy, so he should help out the Predators’ second line playing beside Glass. Despite just 107 games of NHL experience, I think Tomasino gets his shot. The young players have to grow, and he’s one of the hopefuls for the future.

I mentioned Novak, so he should get a good deal of playing time as the third line center to start. If he proves that last season wasn’t a fluke and he can score a great deal, he’ll move up. He also needs capable wingers, so Parssinen should get the shot on his left. He started his NHL career on the right foot and spent some time in the top-six last season. The other wing could use a veteran presence like that of Sissons. He is a solid third liner that works hard and can put up some points.

Trenin should be the only player on this fourth line that is considered to play every game this season. He could be up on the third line and may at times, but there is a lot of talent. Gurianov should get a fair chance this season. He played better after being traded last season to the Montreal Canadiens, so he’s hoping it carries over to Nashville. Sherwood is constantly overlooked. He’s a very good AHL player who gets shots in the NHL. He also has the potential to move up if he gets hot.

Defense

The defense of the Predators once again looks strong with Josi leading the way. While it is entirely possible Fabbro or even Carrier get time alongside Josi on the top pairing, the belief is that Schenn will start. The veteran has proven he can match up against top tier players and perform well. Josi is hoping to get back to being a top scorer after a drop off from 2021-22.

McDonagh and Barrie shouldn’t be a bad duo at all for the second pairing. McDonagh remains solid and should be able to cover the defensive lapses of Barrie. The former Edmonton Oilers’ defenseman has gotten better defensively, but his offense is what’ll help the Predators this season.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Montreal Canadiens 2023-24 Line Projections

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Barrie drops to the third pairing at times either. Fabbro has played top pairing minutes in the past and Carrier has been on the second pair. Both are capable of more, but both also struggled last season. If this is the bottom pair of the Predators, it’s a strong one. I like Lauzon a lot, but the defense is just so deep. He will get in some games this season and play more if there’s a trade near the deadline.

Goaltending

The Predators don’t have to worry about their goaltending as it is elite. Saros is one of the best goalies in the league, despite the talent in front of him at any time. He’ll steal many games and keep the team competitive. Lankinen also proved to be a great backup goalie, but will play limited games. If the Predators sneak into the playoffs, it is due to goaltending.