Even with contracts signed and free agency moves, it isn't easy to envision what the Nashville Predators' defense will look like next season.
Even with contracts signed and free agency moves, it isn't easy to envision what the Nashville Predators' defense will look like next season.
There have been plenty of changes for the Nashville Predators, and perhaps the biggest question when it comes to the new look 2023-24 Preds is how this defense will all come together. With less than three months until the regular season kicks off, there are still big questions about the Predators' defensive plans.
What will the defensive pairings look like?
Gone is the certainty of the Ellis-Josi, Subban-Ekholm top four for the Predators. Since losing Subban in 2019 and Ellis in 2021, the Predators haven't quite been able to recreate those near perfect defensive pairings. There have been seasons where players like Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier looked like they were ready to become long term top four players, but injury and inconsistency have intervened before that future could materialize.
With the injuries at the end of last season and a new head coach who will want to put his own stamp on lineup decisions, it's much trickier to predict what the opening night defensive pairings will be for the Predators. The main question, of course, is who will skate with Roman Josi.
In Josi's record setting season of 2021-2022, he spent much of his time with Dante Fabbro. Fabbro also had his best stats that season, but last year was more of a struggle for the 25 year old defenseman. Fabbro even found himself a healthy scratch for several games last season. Alexandre Carrier just signed a one year deal, and GM Barry Trotz is ready to see what Carrier can do with a healthy season.
Will Fabbro get another chance? Could the veterans Josi and Ryan McDonagh hold the line together? Will Carrier do enough to earn consistent top four minutes?
Is Trotz done shopping for defensemen?
Barry Trotz was part of the conversation that led to the Ekholm trade and bringing Tyson Barrie to Nashville in that deal. Trotz signed Carrier to a year deal, and recruited and signed free agent Luke Schenn. The Predators will spend just over $30 million dollars on seven defensemen, but could there be one more move?
The Predators have been linked to Carolina Hurricanes' defenseman Brett Pesce. Pesce has one year remaining on a six year contract, but David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said that Nashville was still in play as a potential destination as of earlier this month. On Thursday's Insider Trading show, Pierre LeBrun said that if Carolina can't sign Pesce, they will look to move him the summer.
Is Pesce someone Trotz could be interested in? If the GM has some of the same questions mentioned above when it comes to top four pairings, Pesce could be a piece worth pursuing. He is a responsible defenseman willing to block shots and play a physical game coming off a career best in points. The Predators have the cap space and depending on what (or who) the deal involves, the Preds could create a bit of extra financial room to sign Pesce to a longer term deal.
On the other hand, Trotz may decide to focus on the defensemen he has recently signed like Schenn, Carrier, and a few younger blue liners. Jake Livingstone just signed a deal and Spencer Stastney impressed in his short stint in Nashville at the end of last season. Perhaps the front office is more interested in spending this season seeing what they have with the current roster and developing the younger blue liners for the future.
What can Nashville expect from Luke Schenn?
Schenn was one of Trotz's big free agency signings, and Nashville's GM was effusive about what he saw in the 33 year old defenseman. Schenn is certainly a part of the "culture tweak" that Trotz wanted to make and is a "serial winner" having hoisted the Stanley Cup twice in a row with former Lightning teammate and current Preds defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Trotz also referenced his past coaching experience with the New York Islanders playing against Schenn in a tough postseason series. Trotz credited Schenn with changing the trajectory of that series.
"We had that identity. We were getting under their skin," Trotz said of the Islanders' performance early against Tampa Bay.
"We were pushing some other key guys and getting momentum, and Luke was a guy who recognized that. He changed a whole series and came over and established his presence. He has such a great way to identify those moments."
Schenn's value off ice has been laid out, but where will the veteran fit in when it comes to the Nashville roster? Schenn found a way to reinvent his game in his last two seasons after winning his second Cup in 2021, and Nashville will need a responsible defensive performance from the veteran. He's played quality games with top defensive talent like young Quinn Hughes and veteran Morgan Rielly.
Will Schenn be a third pair player who can impact the game or will Predators fans see him playing further up the lineup? Can his style of play help swing momentum in Nashville's favor?
It could be just a matter of days before we know whether Barry Trotz will sign a player like Pesce to boost the Predators' blue line. How the defensive pairings sift out and what Preds fans can expect from Schenn may not become much clearer until training camp gets underway. Between now and then, fans will be left to speculate on how this defense will come together when the regular season begins against Tampa Bay on October 10.
Ryan O'Reilly: "Why Can't We Contend?"