The Nashville Predators have a young gun pushing to make the roster full-time, but do they have an opening for him?
The Nashville Predators drafted Kevin Fiala with their first round draft pick (and the 11th pick overall) in the 2014 NHL entry draft, hoping he could bring a spark to the offensive zone.
Considered a bit undersized at 5’10, 187 lbs, it was generally understood that Fiala would spend some time in the AHL rounding out his game until prepared to tackle the top league in the world. A glance at early scouting reports on the 20-year-old repeat one sentiment- he has the potential to be a ‘game-breaking’ offensive talent.
Fiala’s game is predicated on speed and creativity, and look around at the Peter Laviolette era in Smashville. Weber for Subban. Old guys out, young guys in. Even the NHL at large and defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins are fully aware of the memo- speed, speed, speed, speed, speed.
All reviews from rookie camp through preseason indicate that Fiala appears ready to make his jump to the gold jerseys- but where, exactly, would he land on the roster? Let’s take a look at the most recent, and possibly most accurate, lines:
#PredsCamp Monday lines:
Forsberg-Johansen-Jarnkrok/Fiala
Wilson-Fisher-Neal
Arvidsson-Ribeiro-Smith
Salomaki-Sissons-Bass— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) October 3, 2016
If we’re talking top three forward lines, it seems difficult to imagine Fiala displacing any of those names, including fellow-rising talents Viktor Arvidsson and Calle Jarnkrok. Though the split top-line duty with Calle certainly raises some eyebrows, as these two players bring different tools to the ice.
Perhaps the Nashville Predators will employ a hot-hand approach, though it seems tough to healthy-scratch the Swiss Army Knife coming off a career year. Jarnkrok did spend some (successful) time at center this preseason, so it’s a safe bet that underperforming/injuries at any forward position can be swiftly patched by the 25-year-old, allowing a vacancy at wing that Fiala could sweep into.
As for the fourth line- Fiala simply isn’t the kind of grinder typically reserved for this role. Colton Sissons is locked into revamping this line at center, and Miikka Salomaki covers the ice like a Zamboni. A really, really fast, violent Zamboni. They’re your guys.
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The most ‘available’ forward position on this roster is the fourth line right wing slot, which appears up for grabs between Cody Bass and Austin Watson– both grinders who did some good things last year and this offseason.
Fiala is the opposite of both Bass and Watson- and even though ‘grit’ is almost a bad word following Team USA’s ‘grit-filled’ collapse at the World Cup of Hockey, the Nashville Predators would find themselves alarmingly grit-less if Fiala supplanted one of these bigger skaters. Unless Laviolette really, truly expects to be able to out-speed his opponents every night, the kid shouldn’t see time on the fourth line.
So where does this leave Kevin Fiala? Answer: With Jarnkrok able to move to center and Fiala waiting in the wings, Colin Wilson is sure to hit the phone booth before every game, transforming into Playoff Colin Wilson. Mike Ribeiro eases the old questions about effort.
Having an NHL-ready first round draft pick nipping at your heels is a way to keep motivated to keep your job. The impact of injuries also becomes lessened, and let’s be honest, it’s really not a possible scenario for the Nashville Predators to have too many good forwards.
Tonight the Nashville Predators take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in preseason action, and Fiala should have every opportunity he needs to prove himself worthy of making the opening night roster.
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