NASHVILLE Adidas Brian Dumoulin #8
Jersey , Tenn. (AP) General manager David Poile believes the
Nashville Predators wiped away two lingering notions with their run to the
franchise’s first Stanley Cup Final. The mantle as an expansion team? Ditched
forever 20 years after the NHL granted Nashville a franchise. The label of
Nashville as a nontraditional hockey market? Erased by the tens of thousands of
fans who filled the streets watching, cheering and celebrating hockey in a party
that Poile thinks other teams – and sports – will try to copy. That leaves Poile
and the Predators focused on winning the Stanley Cup. ”We have a team that can
compete for the Stanley Cup, and we have a franchise that in my mind is as good
as any in the hockey world.” The Predators were the last team into the
postseason with 94 points and became only the third team seeded last in its
conference to reach the Stanley Cup Final since the NHL went to its
conference-based playoff format in 1994. But this is a very young roster with
goaltender Pekka Rinne (34) and captain Mike Fisher (37) the oldest mainstays.
All-Star P.K. Subban is the oldest of Nashville’s top four defensemen, and the
top line is Filip Forsberg (22), Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson, both 24.
”We’ll do everything we can to get back to this position next year,” Poile said.
Here are some things to know about the Predators this offseason: QUICK WHISTLES
AND OFFSIDE Poile said he was frustrated over Colton Sissons’ goal not being
allowed due to a quick whistle. He said he is disappointed that the system
doesn’t allow the goal to count and that he will do everything he can moving
forward to improve the league’s system to correctly count goals. The system may
not get every call right Adidas Ian Cole #28
Jersey , but Poile said they should move closer to 100 percent than
50-50. ”We as managers, the gatekeepers of the game, we have to put in place a
system where the right call is always made. Everybody knows the goal should have
counted, but the system was not there to allow the goal to be counted,” Poile
said. ROSTER ISSUES Fisher is one of five unrestricted free agents and someone
the Predators want back. Poile said Wednesday they haven’t started talking to
the center. Fisher says he needs to pray about his future with faith, family and
then hockey key in whether he returns. Johansen is one of three key restricted
free agents with Arvidsson and Austin Watson. Johansen blossomed this season
tying Arvidsson with a team-high 61 points and tied for third with 13 points
despite missing the final eight games this postseason injured. Johansen and
Arvidsson share an agent, and Poile said the Predators will be talking in
Chicago at the draft. VEGAS Poile has to submit a plan Saturday on which players
to protect from the Golden Knights’ expansion draft June 21. Neal Adidas Greg McKegg #33
Jersey , due $5 million next season, along with Colin Wilson and
Craig Smith, could be options for that clear salary cap space as well. INJURIES
Poile said Neal, who scored six goals this postseason, broke his hand in Game 1
of the Western Conference finals against Anaheim. Neal didn’t miss a game,
though Poile noted the forward didn’t shoot pucks during practice after that.
Neal did score two goals after the injury. Smith had a high ankle sprain that
limited him to eight games, while Wilson played 13 games despite a hamstring
injury. But defenseman Ryan Ellis Adidas Phil Kessel #81
Jersey , who played in Game 6 despite being injured, needs more
evaluation. Poile said the team will share an update likely next week. Johansen
said Tuesday he expects to be cleared to start skating in a couple weeks after
needing season-ending surgery for acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh
after Game 4 of the Western finals on May 18. Poile said forward Kevin Fiala,
who broke his left leg in the opener of the second round against St. Louis, also
is ahead of schedule in his recovery. — More AP NHL: . Mike
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