2022-23 NHL Preview: Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators exceeded expectations last season thanks to the efforts of Roman Josi and Juuse Saros. The team acquired Kevin Lankinen as a backup and Nino Niederreiter to bolster its depth. Nashville will need younger players to step up if it wants to maintain its pace.

Alexandre Carrier is the player to watch this season. He finished second behind captain and star defenseman Roman Josi in blocked shots (124), defensive point shares (5.2) and PDO (74.5).

Tomasino was the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Tomasino had 11 goals and 32 points in 76 games last season. He is slated to have a bigger role and will be on the second line.

Predators finished top-eight in PDO and top of the NHL in high-danger shooting percentage last season. Most of Nashville's core players overperformed last year. Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg may not score 40-plus goals again, but the ascension of young talent led by Tomasino should make up for some of it.