The Nashville Predators come into this week as the NHL’s hottest team, winning six straight games.
The Preds stand atop the NHL with an 82-point season and over 20 games to go. The Predators only had 88 points at the end of last season.
The Predators are breaking every franchise record in the books this season. Before this season, 110 was Nashville’s highest season total in points. If Nashville was to win every game for the rest of the year — although this is unlikely — they could finish the season at 134 points, 24 more than their highest previous season total.
Young and new talent across the team is making a huge difference for the Predators this year. In his first season as head coach for the Predators, Peter Laviolette is up for the Jack Adams award for best coach in the NHL.
The Preds also have two players that top the list for trophies: forward Filip Forsberg for the Calder Memorial Trophy (League’s Most Outstanding Rookie) and goalie Pekka Rinne for the Vezina Trophy (League’s Top Goalie) and possibly the William M. Jennings Trophy (Goalie having played min. of 25 games with the fewest goals against).
With the Predators making a tremendous effort on the ice, the front office has also been working hard.
As of Sunday, Feb. 15, the Predators have acquired defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Olli Jokinen, prospect Brendan Leipsic and Nashville’s first-round draft pick in the 2015 NHL draft in Sunrise, Fla.
Both Franson and Santorelli were drafted originally by Nashville and played for Nashville upon being traded. This move will not only help out the defense by adding Franson, but also add experience to the Predators’ third or fourth line with the speed and talent of Santorelli.
The Nashville Predators are finally looking at making a threat in the playoffs and winning their first Stanley Cup.
