On the prowl

One of the best self-effacing lines you’ll hear from a team’s scouting staff when they’re being applauded for mining a late-round gem in the draft is, “If we’re so smart, why didn’t we take him sooner?”

Maybe that’s how the Nashville Predators feel about Shea Weber, who was the third defenseman they drafted in 2003. Before nabbing Weber with the 49th overall pick, the Preds grabbed Ryan Suter at No. 7 and Kevin Klein 12 slots ahead of Weber at No. 37.

On a team defined by defense, Suter sees the most average ice time per game at 24:07, while Weber is close behind at 23:32. But Klein, who’s proving he belongs on an NHL blueline corps, has seen a huge spike in his ice time as well, now playing more than 20 minutes a game.

While only Boston and Carolina have averaged less than Nashville’s 2.36 goals per game this year, the ever-present team commitment to defense under coach Barry Trotz has helped the Preds pull ahead of everybody except Chicago in the Central Division.

Of course, a big part of what makes Nashville so tough to face is the strong play of goalie Pekka Rinne, taken 258th in 2004. That may not have been the smartest pick, but it sure was a good one.

The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.