Nashville Predators News & Notes
Nashville Predators 3, St. Louis Blues 5: Shorthanded Preds fall short | On The Forecheck
This game was sort of the epitome of the “old Preds” from the past few seasons. Nashville got off to a hot start, took a two-goal lead early, then gave up one iffy goal on a break and the wheels just fell off. It also doesn’t help that the Preds had two almost-sure-fire goals botched at different points in this game, including a potential game-tying score from Tomasino.
Filip Forsberg’s market value and more: 5 Predators takeaways from The Athletic’s NHL Player Cards | The Athletic
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn and Adam Vingan make some interesting points about the Preds using a myriad of different stats and metrics. One of the more juicy tidbits comes via how those stats might predict Filip Forsberg’s next contract.
According to Luszczyszyn, Forsberg is on pace to finish the season with a 3.8 GSVA. For perspective, in 2018-19, Matt Duchene posted a 2.6 GSVA before signing with the Predators for $8 million per year.
Forsberg, who has missed the past four games after being placed on the COVID-19 list, is positioning himself to receive a salary in the range of his $9.4 million market value. The Predators have more than enough cap space to accommodate such a contract, but they will surely try to get him to sign for less.
Adam Vingan – The Athletic
The debate over Forsberg’s future with the Preds was never about whether the team wants him back. Obviously, Poile and company 100% want a player like Forsberg in the mix for their long-term vision. Adam’s projection would make him the highest-paid player on the team. The questions arise from A.) whether the Preds want to offer another big contract like that one, and B.) if they try to get Forsberg to sign for less, would another team be willing to shell out what Forsberg wants?
Luke Prokop Q&A: the Before and After of Coming Out as Gay | The Hockey News
We absolutely love to see Luke loving life.
Other Hockey Happenings
NHL Power Rankings: Panthers are embarrassing teams; Shesterkin carries Rangers | NBC Sports
The Preds fall a bit, mostly due to that embarrassing showing against Buffalo last week.
How Melissa Caruso is guiding the AHL through its scheduling nightmare | Sportsnet
An interesting behind-the-scenes look at the nightmare that league execs are going through to get those “Covid games” rescheduled within such a tight window.
Report: Kraken Claim Karson Kuhlman off waivers from Boston – Stanley Cup of Chowder
“That’s not cool, man” – the Bruins, probably.
Dallas Stars Could Move John Klingberg Soon | The Hockey News
Not really sure what Dallas’s deal is at this point, but Klingberg can leave the Stars in free agency this Summer. He could easily be worth a first-round pick from a contender looking to shore up their blueline depth before the playoffs.
Oilers Season Is Riding On Ken Holland | The Copper & Blue
As a long-time follower of Holland’s work in Detroit, I’m just not sure he’s the guy to help McDavid and Draisaitl get to the promised land. His whole tenure was more about signing expensive band-aids to patch some of the holes around the core of the team, as opposed to being a GM who could rebuild the foundation of the team on the fly. Unless there’s a bigger emphasis on youth on development and less of a reliance on free agents and trades, I don’t see things improving for the Oilers.
Kris Letang is still playing at an incredibly high level | PensBurgh
The 34-year-old’s outstanding season is a big reason why the Penguins are still among the NHL’s elite.
3 Potential Landing Spots for Blackhawks’ Marc-Andre Fleury | The Hockey Writers
He’s certainly not the player he once was, but Flower is still an intriguing option for a few teams at the deadline.
Meier scores franchise record five goals as Sharks rout Kings | Sportsnet.ca
Meier’s only the fifth player since the turn of the century to score five goals in a game, and — bonus fun fact — all five players are European!