Predators Season Preview
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2009 Odds to win the Stanley Cup: 60/1
2009 Odds to win Conference: 30/1
Players Added: Peter Olvecky
Players Lost: Radek Bonk, Greg De Vries, Vern Fiddler, Scott Nichol
The Predators will encounter one major hang-up this season that will hold them back from competing in the NHL’s strongest division: goal scoring. While the defence of this team is incredibly stacked and only improving, with stars like Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis, there is practically no one on the team capable of scoring more than 30 goals. Jason Arnott had 33 last year, but how many more seasons does he have in him? The team finished 24th in goals for in 2008-09, and has done nothing to improve the firepower of the first or second lines, or the powerplay for that matter.
The only chance this team stands is to deal a high profile d-man like Hamhuis for a 40 goal scorer, but they better do it well before the deadline if they intend to slip into that last playoff spot like they have for the last few seasons. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has a tough climb ahead of him to finish the season as one of the elite, game-deciding goalies in the league, but with the defensive pairings in front of him it won’t be impossible, and might be the only shot Nashville has with its current roster.
2009 NHL Predictions – Nashville Predators
Division: 5th
Conference: 13th
Wins: 37