The Nashville Predators made several difficult roster decisions at the trade deadline that started the franchise on a new path, but recently it appears to be a host of injuries impacting the trajectory of the team. Veteran Matt Duchene is just the latest in a growing list of injuries that changes the look of this Predators lineup.
Duchene left the game against the Maple Leafs early in the second period after being hit in the hand by a shot from teammate Dante Fabbro and didn't return. After the game, head coach John Hynes revealed that Duchene would be listed as week to week with an upper body injury.
Duchene now joins a long list of Predators players who are unavailable as Nashville heads into the final stretch of the season. While a playoff spot is looking less and less likely with one of the most challenging schedules remaining, it's hard not to wonder what this revamped team could have been capable of without so many injuries.
The blue line was affected early in the season as Mark Borowiecki sustained a serious injury in the October 22 game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Borowiecki was stretchered off the ice after an awkward hard hit against the boards and hasn't returned to the lineup since. The veteran only played four games this season and isn't likely to return.
Alexandre Carrier battled injuries several times this season, the latest occurring on March 2 that's kept him out of the lineup since. Carrier scored two goals and recorded seven assists in his 43 games this season, but this injury comes at a challenging time. The 26 year old defenseman lost partner Mattias Ekholm in a trade with Edmonton on February 28, and Carrier's absence delays getting a good look at what the future of the defense might be.
Not only have the Preds lost Borowiecki and Carrier, but Roman Josi left the March 18 game against the Winnipeg Jets with an injury. Josi, arguably Nashville's best player, didn't play in the second and third periods and hasn't been back in the lineup since. While Josi did travel with the team this week, General Manager David Poile said today on the Robby and Rexrode Show on 102.5 The Game that the captain is not expected to play tonight against the Boston Bruins and is questionable against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
It isn't just the defense that is depleted of veteran experience. Nashville's veteran forwards Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen have each sustained serious injuries. Forsberg left the February 11 game against the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper body injury, and while he has been skating with the team in a non contact jersey, there is no clear indication of when he could return to the lineup. Ryan Johansen suffered a freak accident on February 21 when he was cut by a skate blade. Johansen had surgery and won't return for the remainder of the season.
Nashville is also missing a promising young player in Juuso Pärssinen. Pärssinen played his first NHL game back in November and was proving to be an important part of the Predators future. Pärssinen played 42 games in Nashville before leaving the February 23 game against the San Jose Sharks. The young Finnish forward has not returned to the lineup and is expected to be out until at least April 1.
Now with Duchene added to an ever growing list of injuries, the Predators find themselves in a unique spot. The return of Ryan McDonagh brings important experience back to the blue line, while veteran Colton Sissons anchors a very young forward group. Losing so many players to injury and a tough end of season schedule have nearly doomed the Predators postseason hopes.
The silver lining in this slew of injuries is that John Hynes and incoming General Manager Barry Trotz get a long look at players like Luke Evangelista, Phil Tomasino, Kiefer Sherwood, Egor Afanasyev, Tommy Novak, and Kevin Gravel ahead of the NHL draft. As this franchise enters a new chapter in both leadership and lineup, the information and experience gained through this tough stretch of adversity will prove helpful as the Predators look to the future.
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