Nashville Predators Fourth Line a Fit for Young Guns
The Nashville Predators could already be finding answers to roster questions early in camp.
The Nashville Predators still have some questions in need of answering about who will be taking the ice on opening night.
After clipping away a good amount of veteran grit in the offseason (see: Paul Gaustad, Eric Nystrom, Barret Jackman, even Shea Weber) the Preds will need to rely on new sources to round out the bottom of the roster.
Luckily, the answers seem to be clear. Last season a trio of rookies helmed the fourth line for successful stints of the season, including the majority of the Nashville Predators franchise record point streak- and all three appear to be in sync throughout camp so far.
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The line of Miikka Salomaki, Austin Watson, and Colton Sissons have been drawing solid reviews from camp attendees and are the heirs apparent for the role.
If given the positions, the trio would put the team’s entire fourth line between the ages of 22 and 24, with all players entering only the second year of their NHL career. And if you’re trying to piece together an energy line, stacking youth is a good place to start.
Miikka Salomaki found himself a full-time part of the Nashville Predators last season, playing in 61 games and earning 5 goals and 5 assists along the way. The Finnish Hit Machine also appeared in all 14 playoff contests, marking 1 goal, 1 assist, and an impressive +2 rating through postseason action.
Winger Austin Watson earned 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) through 57 games at the NHL level, while Colton Sissons notched 4 goals, 2 assists and a +5 rating in 34 contests while filling in for Paul Gaustad at the center position.
Given their chemistry, willingness to grind, and scoring upside (Salomaki led the AHL Mikwaukee Admirals in scoring for 2013-14, both Watson and Sissons ranked in the team’s top 3 for the 2014-15 season), there’s no reason why the three shouldn’t be handed the reins to the bottom of the Nashville Predators roster.
All three forwards earned a great deal of popularity with Smashville fans last year and will be looking to sustain that with their play in the coming season- provided they are indeed given the opportunity.