[HFNHL] Predators Offseason Report

Fan.At

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Mar 2, 2002
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Entry Draft
The Predators started filling a big hole in the prospect pipeline by drafting czech forward Martin Kaut who will suit up in the AHL next season. After stopping the draft for like 20 minutes because the GM went off bathing his baby daughter, the Predators also drafted defenseman Nicolas Beaudin and another czech forward in Jan Jenik in the top 3 rounds. See the full draft review here: https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hfnhl-predators-draft-review-2018.2508345/

Free Agency
The Predators missed out on their top ranked college UFA in Dylan Sikura, but signed Christian Wolanin, a defenseman who stepped right into the NHL last season and might be ready for HFNHL duty after his first full pro season.

They did not sign any UFAs, but made arguably the biggest splash by signing Pittsburgh forward William Karlsson to an 8+ million offer sheet over 4 years which was not matched by the Penguins. The Penguins received first, second and third round picks in the 2019 draft as compensation after failing to come to a consensus with Nashville staff on a trade before Karlsson became a restricted free agent. Karlsson looks poised to be the top line C playing alongside Johnny Gaudreau and someone (who cares really). If the coach opts to spread out the scoring, Karlsson is also a capable left wing.

Trades
In 17/18 the team started slow, but managed to make the playoffs and advance to the 2nd round where they got manhandled by the Colorado Avalanche. GM Kay was not afraid in recent years to make big trades to improve his team and there has been steady progression over the past seasons. This season is not different and the GM has made a number of trades which should put the Predators firmly in contention in the Western Conference.


To New Jersey:
F Nick Foligno
D Scott Mayfield

To Nashville:
F Sam Bennett
D Radko Gudas
The main reason for this trade was probably to get rid of Nick Foligno's salary while adding a young and promising forward in Sam Bennett. Bennett has dealt with his fair share of struggles during his short NHL career so for, but apparently GM Kay believes the young man will get his act together and if he does, this could turn out a shrewed trade.


to Colorado:
D Radko Gudas

to Nashville:
D Anton Lindholm
Acquired in the Foligno trade, Radko Gudas' stay in Nashville was a short one. With Anton Lindholm the team received a young and upcoming stay at home defenseman - or so the fans believed.


to Vancouver:
RW Tom Kühnhackl
F Troy Terry
D Sami Niku

to Nashville:
C David Krejci
RW Matt Nieto
F Kalle Kossila
The biggest trade for the Predators this offseason saw them acquiring another center to give them more weapons in their top six. The team shipped out seasoned bottom six forward Tom Kühnhackl, one of their top forward prospects in Troy Terry and defenseman Sami Niku. In return the team added centre David Krejci who will slot in on the first or 2nd line for the Predators next season and provides them with outstanding smarts and playmaking ability. Right wing Matt Nieto will take Kühnhackl's spot and adds physicality as well as penalty acumen. Kalle Kossila could be a depth player with some offense a few years down, but will remain a farm hand at this point. Overall the Predators gave up a lot of youth and potential in Terry and Niku for immediate help, but the return is solid and especially Krejci should be an important part of the roster going forward.


To Anaheim:
D Karl Alzner
D Anton Lindholm
D Cal Foote
2020 NSH 5th

To Nashville:
D Jake Gardiner
D Erik Gudbranson
2019 CGY 2nd
With this trade the GM improved an area that was already considered a strong point on the Preds roster. Jake Gardiner and Erik Gudbranson are replacing Karl Alzner and Anton Lindholm. That not only improves offense provided from the backend, it also adds speed and physicality. To make things happen, the GM had to part with top prospect Cal Foote, but with Urho Vaakanainen, Nicolas Beaudin and Christian Wolanin still int he pipeline this loss doesn't come as devastating as one might think at first glance.


Outlook
Projected Lines for the Predators are at this point:
Gaudreau - Krejci - Grabner
Karlsson - Koivu - Wennberg
Sheary - Beagle - Kerfoot
Martinook - Kuraly - Nieto
Bennett

Edler - Hedman
Gardiner - Vatanen
Gudbranson - Miller
Wolanin

Dubnyk
Dell

The team can provide offense from 3 lines, supported by a strong blueline. Goaltending should be steady as it was in the last few seasons. The coach has some options up front with some players being able to slot in in higher lines as well as being able to play multiple positions.

Top Prospects
After the flurry of trades which saw a lot of prospects moving to other teams, the Predators prospect pipeline remains ok with some areas of improvement. Quality of forward prospects remains a concern, but Martin Kaut as the headliner of the group is a blue chip prospect on the fast track to the NHL. Defense prospects are still solid with some kids knocking on the door in 1-2 seasons. Goaltending is also good, with Filip Gustavsson having a chance to play in the NHL next season, Felix Sandström remaining a solid prospect and Adin Hill improving year after year.

Top 20 prospects:
1. Martin Kaut (RW) CZE 176 6'2 Czech HC Dynamo Pardubice
2. Urho Vaakanainen (D) FIN 185 6'1 AHL Providence Bruins
3. Nicolas Beaudin (D) CAN 174 5'11 QMJHL Drummondville Voltigeurs
4. Filip Gustavsson (G) SWE 183 6'2 AHL Belleville Senators
5. Dylan Samberg (D) USA 190 6'3 NCAA Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth
6. Kyle Capobianco (D) CAN 196 6'1 AHL Tucson Roadrunners
7. Felix Sandström (G) SWE 192 6'2 SHL HV71
8. Jan Jenik (C) CZE 176 6'1 Czech2 HC Benatky nad Jizerou
9. Andrew Mangiapane (LW) CAN 183 5'10 AHL Stockton Heat
10. Mathieu Joseph (F) CAN 172 6'1 AHL Syracuse Crunch
11. Adin Hill (G) CAN 203 6'6 AHL Tucson Roadrunners
12. Evan Barratt (C) USA 187 6'0 NCAA Penn State Univ.
13. Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (RW) CAN 187 5'11 AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms
14. Cooper Marody (C) USA 190 6'0 AHL Bakersfield Condors
15. Eemeli Räsänen (D) FIN 209 6'7 KHL Jokerit
16. Brian Pinho (C) USA 196 6'1 AHL Hershey Bears
17. Garrett Pilon (C) CAN 187 5'11 AHL Hershey Bears
18. Johnathan Kovacevic (D) CAN 220 6'3 NCAA Merrimack College
19. Jacob Ragnarsson (D) SWE 176 6'0 Allsvenskan Almtuna IS
20. Ivan Prosvetov (G) RUS 174 6'5 USHL Youngstown Phantoms
 

Brent Burns Beard

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Feb 27, 2002
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alot of $$ and compensation for a 2nd line LW!!!! nice agressive off season for NSH but I cant wish you too much luck this season.
 
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Fan.At

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Mar 2, 2002
2,847
86
HFNHL Preds
Here's another option for the forwards:
Gaudreau - Karlsson - Wennberg
Sheary - Krejci - Grabner
Bennett - Koivu - Kerfoot
Martinook - Beagle - Nieto
Kuraly

in that case he is a top line c :)
 
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