Line 1: David Poile traded for Ryan Johansen because they wanted a #1 center, and he's probably going to get the nod over Mike Ribeiro for 1C. I've heard that Filip Forsberg was being groomed to be the future #1 center of the team, but that was before the Johansen trade, so I've no clue if they want him to stay at RW or play C at some point. For now, he's still the best RW on the roster, so he stays at 1RW.
Line 2: I don't think Ribeiro's really suited to be a 1C. He strikes me more as a Nicklas Bäckström-type, but, for that to work in a 1C position, you kinda sorta need an Alex Ovechkin-esque winger to make up the goal difference. Ribeiro's not hit the 20-goal mark since 2008-09, and, in each of the last 2 seasons, he's put 96 and 76 shots on goal. In addition, James Neal's only ever put up one season of 40 goals or more. Ribeiro's a master of the assist at the expense of not really scoring goals, and Neal and Forsberg haven't been able to make up the difference.
On the second line, though, he'll be fine with Craig Smith and Colin Wilson. Once his contract is up, if the Preds are serious about making Forsberg a center, they'll move him to 2C and maybe to 1C eventually.
Line 3: Interesting contract Järnkrok has there. He's probably 3C after Fisher's contract is up. This line is likely where Kevin Fiala will start whenever he makes his way to the NHL roster. I don't think he'll crack the opening night roster unless the Preds do something about the 8 defensemen they have signed.
Line 4 + Extras: Not much to say.
Defense
Pair 1: Clearly P. K. Subban and Roman Josi.
Pair 2: Peter Laviolette might elect to split Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis and have more balanced defensive depth that way. For now, though, I have them paired.
Pair 3 + Extras: Really, I have no clue which of the defensemen is the odd man out. Petter Granberg's the only one currently on a 2-way deal, so, seeing as the Preds are a budget team, they might elect to send him down for now. They might lose him on waivers, but, then again, he was claimed off of waivers in the first place, so it's probably not a huge loss if he is.
For special teams, I put together units based on average ice time from last season. I kept the even-strength lines intact for the power play units. I thought it was fairly interesting that Josi, Ellis, and Ekholm all had substantial time on both PP and PK.
McDavid, Connor
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