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Vegas Golden Knights Expansion Outlook: Nashville Predators

By Richard Cardinale

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 7: Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal with the bench against the Vancouver Canucks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on February 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 7: Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal with the bench against the Vancouver Canucks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on February 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights will be the Nashville Predators worst nightmare in June.

The Nashville Predators are barely hanging on to the first wild card spot in a very tight Western Conference. General Manager David Poile did not think his team would be this hot and cold after an off-season full of changes. Trading the face of the franchise was one of those changes that shifted the entire landscape of the NHL. Poile might be in need of another change or two before the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft in June.

As of today and how the roster stands, Nashville is forced to expose a key player no matter what. If they use the 4-4-1 scheme option then they will be forced to expose a potential top six forward. If the team goes the other direction and decides to go the 7-3-1 scheme then they will lose a critical top four defenseman. There’s no easy way out for teams like the Predators giving up crucial players to their rosters.

Poile has always valued his defense more on this team as it is the team’s identity.  So in all probability, he’ll go with the four forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender protection list. On defense, the Preds will make sure they protect P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. No other option would even come close for a debate.

Obviously the goaltender that Nashville will protect is Pekka Rinne. Predators fans won’t have to worry one bit about rookie netminder Juuse Saros as he’s already exempt. Which leaves Marek Mazanec as the only goalie exposed.

Then the four forwards are also locks as well. Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, Fillip Forsberg and James Neal won’t be available to the Golden Knights in June. Young prospect Kevia Fiala will already be exempt so the fans and front office wont have to worry about losing him. Exposing players like captain Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson, Craig Smith and even 23-year old Colton Sissons will hurt however.

All of those players would make for great additions to the new Las Vegas franchise. Smith would’ve been my choice for the Vegas Golden Knights before the season but I’ve retracted that statement. George McPhee needs to build a roster and one of the positions that should be on the top of his list is center. The player that fits in perfectly for the Golden Knights is Calle Jarnkrok.

Something that Vegas desperately needs out of the shoot if they want to compete is a two-way playmaking center. And that’s exactly what Jarnkrok’s bread and butter is. Not only that, but Jarnkrok is very versatile and plays all three forward positions. Something that Jarnkrok needs to work on is adding more muscle to his body. He also needs to shoot more despite his pass-first mentality. Jarnkrok’s stats are bit low due to the amount of ice time he was given early in the year. Since the departure of Mike Riberio, Jarnkrok’s ice time increased and so as his confidence. The Swedish born Center has 12 Goals on the year to go along with 10 Assists and 22 Points.

As a result, this is a type of player that Vegas needs to build around. If handled properly, Jarnkrok will be a fan favorite and players would want love to take part on his line. He comes with a contract of five more years at two million per year so he’s very affordable. At the age of 25, he’s starting to enter his prime and George McPhee would be wise to pickup Jarnkrok if he’s left exposed.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley Dropped Some News On Wednesday.

Golden Knights Prediction: Calle Jarnkrok

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