NASHVILLE PREDATORS Background:
The Preds have had solid ownership for the past 2 seasons with a focus on rebuilding the club from the bottom up with talented prospects and young players on the cusp of achieving big league success. The team finished 27th in Franchise NHL's first year of operation, climbed to 14th in 2011-12 under 1st year owner Winter but slid to the back of the pack again placing 28th in 2012-13.
This year:
Currently under league ownership, the Predators look to make a move in the league and attempt to crack the top 16 and lay claim to a play-off spot ideally with a new dedicated and
ultra competitive owner to purchase the team (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS). The new owner will take possession of a team that has many key ingredients to compete from the bottom up. The MiLR is loaded with Franchise NHL-ready prospects including:
C - Zemgus Girgensons (2012: 1/14 - 0 Games)
LW - Taylor Beck (2009: 3/70 - 16 Games)
LW - Austin Watson (2010: 1/18 - 6 Games)
D - Seth Jones (2013: 1/4 - 0 Games)
G - John Gibson (2011: 2/39 - 0 Games)
G - Frederik Andersen (2012: 3/87 - 0 Games)
Gibson and Jones appear to be the jewels of the minor league system!
On the major league roster are perennial All-Star Pekka Rinne, and a productive supporting cast of Statsny, Erat, Foligno, Hornqvist, Josi, along with young phenoms Devante Smith-Pelly and Ryan Ellis
Strengths:
MiLR
All-Star goalie
Depth at all position
Weaknesses:
Lacks "Superstars"
Needs:
New owner
2-3 Superstars to elevate team to next level
Future Outlook:
Nashville Predators' previous owner built an excellent core of players and the franchise just needs a new owner to guide them through the next phase of the team's rebuild and become a perennial playoff team. If 2-3 significant moves are made during the season, the team can be expected to challenge for one of the last 8 playoff spots.
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