Gina: Five teams in the Central Division think they're Cup contenders, and one of them just added a 20-goal scorer for pocket change. Guess which one we're talking about?
Wes: If you're not thinking about the Preds, you're not paying attention. Bourque changes the math.
Gina: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Preds fans! I'm Gina, and as always, Wes is here to break down the X's and O's.
Wes: Hey everyone. Today we're doing our power rankings check-in — where Nashville sits in the Central, what we love, what worries us, and our win projection for the season.
Gina: Three things today: first, the division pecking order. Second, strengths and question marks. And third, we're giving you our bold season outlook.
Gina: Stick with us — this one's got some heat.
Gina: Alright Wes, let's get into it. Right now the Preds sit fifth in the Central. That's not where we want to be, but with the teams ahead of them, it's not panic time either.
Wes: Exactly. Colorado, Dallas, Winnipeg, Minnesota — those are four heavyweights. Nashville is right in that next tier, and the gap is a lot smaller than people think.
Gina: But fifth is fifth. How do we leapfrog even one of those teams?
Wes: It starts with the new blood. Mavrik Bourque gives them a legitimate second-line center — he put up 20 goals and 21 assists in 82 games last year. That's a 41-point guy at 24 years old, and he's just getting better.
Gina: And they locked him up for six years, $33 million. That's a steal if he hits 25 goals like we predicted on Friday.
Wes: It's a home run if he does. But even if he's a 20-goal guy, that contract is fine. The key is he gives the Preds depth down the middle they haven't had in years.
Gina: And they didn't give up a roster player — just a second and a third in 2027 and 2028. Plus they got Ilya Lyubushkin as a bonus on defense.
Wes: Right, that's the kind of trade that moves the needle. You add a top-six center and a depth defenseman for futures. Barry Trotz deserves some credit there.
Gina: So where does that leave them in the Central? Realistically, who's ahead of them?
Wes: Colorado is the class of the division, no question. Dallas is right there. Winnipeg and Minnesota are solid, but they're not unbeatable. Nashville can absolutely finish third, maybe even second if things break right.
Gina: I love that confidence. And we haven't even mentioned the guy between the pipes.
Wes: Juuse Saros. He's a Vezina-caliber goalie, and we said on Friday he's a finalist this year. If he plays like that, the Preds are dangerous.
Gina: Alright, stick with us — after the break, we're breaking down the biggest strengths and the biggest question marks.
Gina: Welcome back. Let's talk strengths first, Wes. What do you like most about this roster?
Wes: The forward group is deep. You've got Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and now Bourque. That's four guys who can score. Plus Ryan O'Reilly down the middle — that's a really solid top six.
Gina: And the defense? Roman Josi is still Roman Josi, and they added Lyubushkin for grit. Brady Skjei and Nick Perbix round it out.
Wes: Josi is a Norris-level guy, and Skjei is a solid top-four. The blue line isn't flashy, but it's reliable. And with Saros behind them, they can win a lot of 2-1 games.
Gina: Now the question marks. The backup goalie battle — we said Posch on Saturday, but Annunen is pushing hard.
Wes: It's a real competition. Annunen has more NHL experience, but Posch has the higher ceiling. I'm sticking with Posch, but it's closer than I thought.
Gina: And the bottom-six logjam? There are a lot of guys fighting for a few spots.
Wes: That's the biggest concern. Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot, Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Colton Sissons — they can't all play. Someone's going to be unhappy.
Gina: We said Jost gets cut. Do you still think that?
Wes: I do. He's the odd man out. He's a good player, but the Preds have younger, cheaper options who can do the same thing.
Gina: So strengths: scoring depth, elite goaltending, solid defense. Question marks: backup goalie and bottom-six chemistry. Fair?
Wes: Fair. And one more strength — the power play. With Forsberg, Stamkos, and Marchessault, that unit should be top-ten in the league.
Gina: Alright, we'll see if they can stay healthy. Stick with us for our season outlook after the break.
Gina: Welcome back. Time for the big picture. Wes, give us your win projection.
Wes: I've got this team at 97 points. That puts them in the wild card conversation, maybe third in the Central if everything clicks.
Gina: 97 points. That's a solid season. But we said on Friday they make the playoffs. Are you confident?
Wes: I am. The West is tough, but the Preds have enough talent to get in. The key is Bourque hitting that 25-goal mark and Saros staying healthy.
Gina: And if Bourque does hit 25, that's a huge boost. We also said Saros is a Vezina finalist — that would help too.
Wes: Honestly, if Saros plays like he can, the Preds could be a dark horse in the playoffs. They've got the goaltending and the firepower to upset someone.
Gina: What about the opening night matchup? Minny comes to town October second. That's a big early test.
Wes: It is. Minnesota is one of those teams ahead of them in the standings. A win there sets the tone for the whole season.
Gina: So the takeaway: this team is better than their current fifth-place standing suggests. They're a playoff team, and maybe more.
Wes: Exactly. Don't sleep on the Preds.
Gina: That's our power rankings check-in. Quick recap: fifth in the Central, but a top-three team in the division if everything goes right.
Wes: Strengths: scoring depth, elite goaltending. Question marks: backup goalie and bottom-six chemistry. Win projection: 97 points.
Gina: If you're listening, do us a favor — subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with a fellow Preds fan.
Gina: We'll be back tomorrow with more. Until then, Go Preds!