Looking ahead for the Predators: To stay the course, or not stay the course

As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

The Nashville Predators won the Central Division title for the second consecutive season, but something feels stale in Tennessee. General manager David Poile knows his team should be a contender and -- once again -- made big moves ahead of the trade deadline to bolster an already talented squad.

And yet, most of the transactions over the past two seasons haven't equated to victories. In fact, most of the moves haven't really worked out at all. Ryan Hartman, for whom the Predators traded a first-round pick at the 2018 deadline, is already gone. Kyle Turris hasn't produced as well as the No. 2 center as Nashville had hoped. Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund haven't excited anyone. Maybe the problem isn't with the ancillary pieces after all, but with the core.

Nashville had to withstand significant injuries to begin the season, and perhaps that messed with its juju. But there's no excuses for a power play as putrid as the one Nashville trotted out for the regular season (last in the league, at 12.9 percent), one that was even worse in the postseason (0-for-15). And beyond that, the Predators just couldn't match the Dallas Stars' intensity in the playoffs.

When things go wrong, it's always pertinent to ask a fundamental question: Was it coaching or construction? It's impossible to pinpoint just one and -- especially considering the regular-season success -- it's hard to imagine either coach Peter Laviolette or Poile is on a hot seat right now. Also factoring in to this discussion is the latter's history; Poile has fired just one coach in the past 20 seasons.

Keys to the offseason

To stay the course, or not stay the course. The Predators -- like many teams with Stanley Cup aspirations this season who were ousted too early -- have to make that existential decision. Do they make seismic changes because their roster is fundamentally broken? Or do they stay the course, knowing their core is talented enough to win and they just ran into a roadblock? Though the Predators are, on paper, a better team than they were when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, they haven't been able to match that success. That's problematic.

Acquire forward depth. The Predators' top line, when all healthy and playing together, is terrific. After that, there are serious concerns among the forward group. Turris has not been truly successful as the second-line center, and that has affected the wingers he's paired with. (Granlund hasn't been stellar since arriving, but he could be doing better if his center was driving play.) The Predators need to bolster their forward depth, but since they'll be strapped against the salary cap, they'll also need to be creative.

Part ways with a few players. Unlike years past, the Predators don't have too many tough decisions to make this summer; really, their only pressing long-term financial concern is working out an extension with captain Roman Josi. He'll be due a raise after his contract, with an annual cap hit of $4 million, expires following the 2019-20 season.

Brian Boyle, Simmonds, Cody McLeod and Zac Rinaldo all hit unrestricted free agent status July 1, and it's reasonable to expect that none of them will return.

Impact prospects for 2019-20

Eeli Tolvanen, RW, age 20: This was not exactly an incredible season for Tolvanen, who had a sensational 2017-18. He has struggled to find his scoring touch in the AHL, which is notoriously difficult for young players. Despite that, with his Kontinental Hockey League experience and his elite shooting ability, it was totally warranted to expect more from Tolvanen. He did appear in four games with the Preds, registering one goal and one assist.

The main issue with Tolvanen now is that it's hard to see him driving plays on his own. He needs a high-end center or playmaking winger on the other side of him to feed him pucks. Without that, he can disappear in games. I've heard some theories that players can have better success in the NHL because they get to play with better players. It makes a lot of sense. Now Nashville has to balance the idea of Tolvanen earning his spot with the need for goal scoring. When he's at his best, he can score from anywhere.

Dante Fabbro, D, age 20: A steady, mature defenseman who was able to jump right into Nashville's lineup from Boston University this spring, Fabbro has the goods to be a longtime NHLer. The fact that he's already trusted enough to play on the team's bottom pairing in the Stanley Cup playoffs is a great sign for where his game is headed. Talk to anyone about Fabbro and there are rave reviews about his character and leadership skills as well. He'll turn 21 in June, so he's still remarkably young for a guy who played three full collegiate seasons. His maturity, on top of higher-end hockey sense, is why he should remain a full-timer right from the start next season.

Realistic expectation for 2019-20

If the Predators bring back essentially the same cast -- which they should -- they'll once again have regular-season success. But it's hard to imagine them getting over the playoff hump without more recalibration to the roster.