Five-Hole Friday: Breathe In, Breathe Out

Boston Hockey

The Predators certainly have their eye on some #CawlidgeHawckey in Massachusetts. Three Predators prospects are playing for the Boston University Terriers.

Patrick Harper is an interesting prospect to watch. The pint-sized winger has had a bit of a rough time over the past year. He has 2 goals and 10 assists this season after spending some of last season with a mysterious illness. Harper is on the smaller side, and he has silky smooth hands. There’s no news from the organization on when they might sign Harper…he’s currently a junior.

Harper could be an impact player at the AHL level, but I don’t forecast him to play a huge role with Nashville. However, he could end up like Viktor Arvidsson or Rocco Grimaldi and surprise everyone with his work ethic, speed, and grind.

Here’s Harper’s goal that made it 4-1. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/z4B4MYMH74

— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 21, 2019

David Farrance is another Preds prospect playing for the Terriers. He has 4 goals and 10 assists this season. He’s a junior defender.

I doubt the Predators are looking to sign him this season. Since Nashville and Milwaukee are full of serviceable d-men, Farrance might find himself in the AHL for some time. Check out this blast from the blueline:

Here’s the Farrance blast that made it a 1-1 game. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/MoPfSQSUzW

— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 21, 2019

Finally, let’s talk about Dante Fabbro. One of the team’s co-captains, Fabbro leads the Terriers in points with 20 (5 goals, 15 assists). Will Fabbro try to sign with Nashville once his season with Boston University is over? We will have to wait and see. Many fans are worried that Fabbro might “pull a Vesey” and let his rights expire with the Predators in order to explore his free agency options in the League. Nothing he’s said so far indicates that’s what he would do, but most of us would feel comfortable with Fabbro’s name on a Nashville contract.

Baby Fish

Former captain Mike Fisher welcomed his second son into the world on Monday. Carrie Underwood posted some photos of the new addition.

Jacob Bryan Fisher entered the world in the wee hours of the morning on Monday…his mom, dad and big brother couldn’t be happier for God to trust them with taking care of this little miracle! Our hearts are full, our eyes are tired and our lives are forever changed. Life is good pic.twitter.com/Fa2wPbicVe

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) January 23, 2019

The Predators added a congratulatory tweet saying that they couldn’t wait to see baby Fisher in the 2037 Draft. It’s obviously intended as a joke, but how cool would that be to draft the son of a former Nashville captain?

Many congratulations are due to Carrie and Mike. Hopefully this has been a great “awww” for your Friday.

Nick Bonino

Veteran centerman Nick Bonino has had a great January. He’s posted goals in his last three games. Further, Bonino has points in 7 of his last 9 contests. P.S: Nick Bonino is a former Boston Terrier.

Bonino has passed last year’s goal total and is on pace to match some of the goal totals he had while playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. While his contract is still a bit much for some, Bonino’s January has been very solid. Can he keep up this play into April and May?

The P.K. Project

P.K. Subban’s first episode in his mini-series called “The P.K. Project” dropped on Thursday evening. The episode takes viewers to Subban’s home and gives us a glimpse of “Uncle P.K.”

Catch it here.

Most Indispensable Predator

There’s been a lot of debate over the last few weeks about the most indispensable Predator. Adam Vingan has suggested that Viktor Arvidsson is the most indispensable, but the Predators seem to also flounder without Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg.

Arvidsson is the team’s energy, catalyst, and spark. Without him, the lineup is way less exciting.

The second line has been a disaster without Kyle Turris, but the second line was a disaster in the playoffs last season, too.

What about Mattias Ekholm? Or Roman Josi? Would the blueline be a bit shakier without these two? The team would be far less handsome, but handsomeness doesn’t win hockey games.

Pekka Rinne is my pick for the most valuable Predator. His jersey will be the first to go up in Bridgestone Arena. However, we’ve seen Juuse Saros become more than capable of tending the net in Rinne’s absence. Saros performed admirably in the fall when Rinne was injured, and Saros has turned in several good starts in relief of Rinne over the last 6-7 weeks. It’s no secret that goaltending is the backbone of this team, and without the skills of our Finnish netminders, the Predators would be in sorry shape.

Who has been the most indispensable Predator in the 2018-2019 season?