After ranking the top 100 NHL prospects for 2015-16, and ranking each team by organizational depth, ESPN Insider Corey Pronman ranks the top 10 prospects for each NHL team. Here is his entry for the Nashville Predators. Extended write-ups on prospects ranked in the top 100 can be accessed here.
The Nashville system has depth and quality even with the graduation of Filip Forsberg, led by my No. 11 overall prospect Kevin Fiala, and my No. 3 goalie, Juuse Saros.
Viktor Arvidsson really turned heads this past season, leading his AHL team in scoring and finishing as one of the league leaders in shots on goal in his first AHL campaign. He's small, but brings a high level of pace to every game due to his speed, skill and tenacity. He can be lethal on the man advantage because of his creativity and his high-end shot.
Alexandre Carrier is a skilled puck mover with great overall hockey sense. He's small for a defenseman, but still makes defensive plays thanks to his stick positioning and overall anticipation. His skating isn't too strong, and combined with his size, that doesn't help his defensive projection going forward.
Mikka Salomaki took a step backwards this past season after looking great in the AHL in 2013-14. His hockey sense and work ethic continue to stand out, but it remains to see if he has the offensive tools to be a top-six forward in the NHL. Colton Sissons was another forward who had an up-and-down season after being so impressive the season prior. He's a hard-working forward with good hockey sense, average puck skills, and a has been reliable in all situations.
Thomas Novak has a very high skill level. He's very coordinated and creative with the puck, and he makes a lot of high-difficulty plays and creates scoring chances in bunches. He's a quick, elusive skater with good jump in his step, though one NHL scouted noted that his short legs keep him from exploding through the neutral zone. He needs to bulk up and work on his defense a fair amount, but he is a player with great offensive touch and high upside.
The Preds also have a few other noteworthy players, such as Yakov Trenin and Anthony Richard from their 2015 draft class. Trenin is a bulky power winger with skill, while Richard is a quick, highly skilled little guy who was a top player in the QMJHL this past season.
Noteworthy prospect
Steve Moses turned a lot of heads by leading the KHL with 36 goals this past season, and although he's already in his mid 20's, he certainly shows some NHL tools. His skating is outstanding and his skill level is pretty good, albeit not elite. However, he is very small, and in the NHL he will play a particular -- possibly sheltered -- offensive role.
2015-16 impact
Fiala is close to being a top-nine NHL forward, and could push for time out of camp. Moses will also be ready right away. The Predators have a plethora of depth at forward that could be midseason call-ups. Arvidsson, Sissons, Salomaki, Austin Watson, Max Reinhart and Vladislav Kamenev are all potential options in that scenario.