| All rights reserved. |
Nashville Predators
 | |  | |  |
US players in blue
|
|
|
YOUNG AMERICANS
Who broke out in 2010-2011
33-LW-Colin Wilson, 6-1, 219, L, 10/20/1989, Greenwich, CT
2010-2011 Stats: 82 GP, 16-18-34
Battled inconsistency in his first full NHL season, but still posted impressive numbers.
Will get more minutes this year, possibly on the top line, which means he will register
more than 101 shots. If he can get his shots up to 200, he should double his numbers
across the board.
Who is ready to break out in 2011-12
7-D-Jonathan Blum, 6-1, 192, R, 1/30/1989, Long Beach, CA
Will play top 4 minutes and bring an offensive game tailor-made for the powerplay. Got
his feet wet playing 25 games last year and registering 3-5-8. Needs to add strength,
but his offensive skills are top notch.
15-C/RW-Craig Smith, 6-1, 197, R, 9/5/1989, Madison, WI
Scored 43 points in 41 games as a sophomore at Wisconsin, and then turned heads by
registering 3 goals and 6 points for the US at the World Championships. Earned a spot
on the top line in camp and appears primed to break out and surprise many for the
Calder. Is more physically mature than most rookies.
5-C/LW-Blake Geoffrion, 6-1, 194, L, 2/3/1988, Plantation, FL
Scored 28 goals and 50 points in 45 games as a senior at Wisconsin, and then followed
that up with an impressive AHL debut notching 11-26-37 in 45 games. Has gotten his
feet wet with 22 games at the NHL level. The kid is a point producer, but has yet to be
given a top 6 role with the Preds. Should break out in 2nd half.
Who broke out in 2010-2011
33-LW-Colin Wilson, 6-1, 219, L, 10/20/1989, Greenwich, CT
2010-2011 Stats: 82 GP, 16-18-34
Battled inconsistency in his first full NHL season, but still posted impressive numbers.
Will get more minutes this year, possibly on the top line, which means he will register
more than 101 shots. If he can get his shots up to 200, he should double his numbers
across the board.
Who is ready to break out in 2011-12
7-D-Jonathan Blum, 6-1, 192, R, 1/30/1989, Long Beach, CA
Will play top 4 minutes and bring an offensive game tailor-made for the powerplay. Got
his feet wet playing 25 games last year and registering 3-5-8. Needs to add strength,
but his offensive skills are top notch.
15-C/RW-Craig Smith, 6-1, 197, R, 9/5/1989, Madison, WI
Scored 43 points in 41 games as a sophomore at Wisconsin, and then turned heads by
registering 3 goals and 6 points for the US at the World Championships. Earned a spot
on the top line in camp and appears primed to break out and surprise many for the
Calder. Is more physically mature than most rookies.
5-C/LW-Blake Geoffrion, 6-1, 194, L, 2/3/1988, Plantation, FL
Scored 28 goals and 50 points in 45 games as a senior at Wisconsin, and then followed
that up with an impressive AHL debut notching 11-26-37 in 45 games. Has gotten his
feet wet with 22 games at the NHL level. The kid is a point producer, but has yet to be
given a top 6 role with the Preds. Should break out in 2nd half.
The question with the Preds is always "Can they score enough." They may have
found a gem with Smith, who broke out at the World Championships. They are
young, but the likes of Wilson, Halischuk and Geoffrion should mature quickly with
the ice time they'll be given. Free agent Bergfors will struggle to crack lineup if
youngsters produce.
found a gem with Smith, who broke out at the World Championships. They are
young, but the likes of Wilson, Halischuk and Geoffrion should mature quickly with
the ice time they'll be given. Free agent Bergfors will struggle to crack lineup if
youngsters produce.
Weber, Suter and Klein are the senior members of this group, and
all are just 26. Weber may be the best in the game, and his shadow
may be the only reason people aren't saying the same about Suter.
Talk about the rich getting richer... There's still more top notch kids
in the pipeline in Ellis, Josi and Eckholm. Deep, young and
extremely talented.
all are just 26. Weber may be the best in the game, and his shadow
may be the only reason people aren't saying the same about Suter.
Talk about the rich getting richer... There's still more top notch kids
in the pipeline in Ellis, Josi and Eckholm. Deep, young and
extremely talented.
28 year-old Rinne is a Vezina-caliber goalie
in a contract year. Lindback is 23 and
looking like a future starter. Did I mention the
only question about this team is scoring
goals? They should be pretty close to the top
in goals allowed.
in a contract year. Lindback is 23 and
looking like a future starter. Did I mention the
only question about this team is scoring
goals? They should be pretty close to the top
in goals allowed.