Nashville Predators: Midseason Report Card for Every Player

As the Nashville Predators (19-14-4) reach the midway point of the season and the end of 2011, they are jostling for a playoff spot yet again in the Western Conference. 

The Predators have played well in their division with a 6-2-2 record, despite being in fourth behind the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. 

They've finally found success on the power play this season, as they boast a second-best 21.1 percent efficiency. Many players get in on the scoring column as well, with eight players having seven or more goals. 

Weak depth on defense and scoring inconsistency could doom Nashville down the stretch. The defensemen, excluding machines Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, post an ugly minus-42 rating. Newly called-up Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis could turn things around in time for a playoff run if they start their NHL careers strong.

These report card grades are based on each player's performance compared to their expectations for this season, and do not directly translate to their value as a player.

Here's a look at midseason grades for each Predator. 

David Legwand: B

Games played: 33

Goals: 10

Assists: 14

+/- : minus-1

Legwand is in his 13th season with Nashville, and despite having nearly every record in franchise history, he's never completely been as good as the Predators expected him to be.

Although, he's been a consistent producer for the Predators yet again this season a team-leading 10 goals combined with 14 assists. He's the most dangerous forward on the team, but his minus-1 rating is less than impressive. When Legwand hangs up his skates he will be revered as one of the greatest Preds ever, but isn't nearly the best player on this team right now. 

Mike Fisher: C+

Games played: 29

Goals: 7

Assists: 8

+/- : minus-4 

Fisher's scoring has dropped off in his 2nd season with Nashville, but he still has a unique nose for the puck and is great in the faceoff circle.

He's still seventh on the team with 15 points but has begun to dwindle the high expectations set for him this year. 

When Fisher came to the club last year, he made it obvious it was for more than Carrie Underwood as he immediately emerged as a top player in the playoffs. So far this year though, Predators fans must be questioning his motives.  

Jerred Smithson: D

Games played: 37

Goals: 1

Assists: 2

+/- : minus-8

Smithson is set for his worst point total in his seven seasons as a Predator this season, and his minus-8 rating is worst among Nashville's forwards. 

The 32-year old is emerging as a liability for the Predators and his numbers will need to improve if he wants to keep his spot on the roster. 

Colin Wilson: B+

Games played: 37

Goals: 8 (3 game-winning)

Assists: 14

+/- : even 

The youngster is outperforming his contract and expectations with 8 goals and 14 assists this season. He also has 3 game-winning goals so far, which leads the team. 

Wilson is in the midst of a breakout season, and the Predators could wind up dealing him to a team that respects his upside. If he keeps his scoring up, he will continue to greatly help a Nashville team struggling to find goals. 

Craig Smith: A+

Games played: 37

Goals: 8

Assists: 17

+/- : minus-2

As you can see in this picture, Craig Smith is tired from putting the team on his back.

Smith wasn't expected to be a full-time roster spot this year, much less lead all forwards in points with 25. The rookie's play has sparked the team this season, and to say that the fanbase is excited about this future star is an understatement.

What sets Smith's A+ apart from Legwand's B is the expectation that each player carried heading into the season. Even though they have 25 and 24 points respectively, it was understood that Legwand would be contributing at his level while it's nothing short of spectacular that Smith is doing so as well. 

Francis Bouillon: C+

Games played: 25

Goals: 0

Assists: 5

+/- : minus-6

Bouillon has been a decent second-liner in defense this year, but has missed time and has struggled to stay consistent.

His point total of five leaves him likely to reach his average mark of 10 for the past few years. Still, the Predators need more at Bouillon's position, and youngsters like Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Jonathon Blum are on the verge of overtaking the veteran after this year. 

Ryan Suter: A-

Games played: 37

Goals: 5

Assists: 19

+/- : plus-8

Suter is having another phenomenal year aside defensive partner Shea Weber with 24 points and a plus-8 rating. He's second in the NHL in ice time per game, and is the second best defender on the team (behind Pekka Rinne of course, not Weber). 

He's also set to have a career-best year in nearly every statistical category as he cruises into the offseason on the verge of a big payday -- whether it be from Nashville or not. 

Kevin Klein: C-

Games played: 30

Goals: 1

Assists: 5

+/- : minus-11

After missing only two regular season games in the last two years combined, Klein has dropped significantly (minus-11 rating) after a stellar 2010-11 campaign in which he finished a plus-9 rating and 18 points. He has recently been placed on injured reserve with the flu (go figure). 

Klein shouldn't be gone for long, but his spot on the roster might be heavily contested for if Ellis, Josi and Blum keep playing at a high level.  

Shea Weber: A

Games played: 35

Goals: 8

Assists: 21

+/- : plus-14

I'm sure you expected nothing less than an A, and an A+ would be in order if he weren't getting paid $7.5 million this year.

The face of the franchise and the team's captain leads the team in virtually every statistic -- 8 goals, 21 assists, plus-14 rating -- and looks to be having a career-best year despite possibly missing a chunk of games due to a concussion. 

This young defense may be able to rally for a few games if Suter keeps his game up, but Weber is irreplaceable and you have to figure that the team's playoff chances would begin to vanish if his condition turns out anything like Sidney Crosby's. Imagine what would happen if he left for good?

Jonathon Blum: C

Games played: 32

Goals: 3

Assists: 4

+/- : minus-14

In 2010-11, Blum dazzled after being called up from AHL affiliate Milwaukee with 8 points and a plus-8 rating in 23 games. He failed to meet expectations through the start of this season with a hideous minus-14 rating that ranks dead last on the team. 

His three goals are the highest for defensemen after Suter and Weber. He's contributed with two points in the last two games, including a slap-shot from the point deflected in by Jordin Tootoo. Still, the way he closed out last season proves his performance thus far is way less than stellar.

Jack Hillen: B-

Games played: 35

Goals: 2

Assists: 3

+/- : minus-3

Hillen came to the Preds last offseason fresh off two straight 20-point seasons with the New York Islanders, and was expected to bring shot-blocking and solid play to Nashville's defense. He's only at five points, but he's played in 35 games, second among defensemen.

Although the numbers point to a disappointing season, the defender has been active on offense and played consistently thus far. 

Roman Josi: B+

Games played: 16

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

+/- : minus-5

Josi was called up from Milwaukee in late November and has contributed 2 goals and 2 assists in the first 16 games of his NHL career. Initially brought up as a seventh defenseman, he has filled in Klein's absence and is playing just well enough to be on the roster. 

His minus-5 rating is less than appealing, but he has had an impressive season considering he was expected to stay put in Milwaukee all year. The Preds need him, and he is coming through and becoming a better player in this league game by game. 

Ryan Ellis: B-

Games played: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 0 

+/- : minus-1

Ellis was called up to replace Shea Weber just before Monday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, and helped the Predators defensively with more than 37 minutes on ice in the first two NHL games of his career. 

The Predators thought Ellis would be able to earn a spot on the roster by now, and it's surprising to me that it took him this long to see his first NHL action. He's still on his way, and it won't be long before he's outplaying Hillen and Bouillon. 

Sergei Kostitsyn: C-

Games played: 31

Goals: 5

Assists: 10

+/- : minus-3

Kostitsyn is on track to score less than half as many goals as he did in the 2010-11 season, and he's been incredibly disappointing in his sophomore campaign. 

Although five goals from last year's top goal-getter is a major setback, one stat from the Belarus native that impresses me is his 10 assists. He's learned to be a better team player despite a dismal season. 

If he doesn't start scoring goals, the possibility of finding another $2.5 million per year contract in Smashville will slip away fast. 

Blake Geoffrion: D

Games played: 22

Goals: 0

Assists: 3

+/- : minus-2

Geoffrion, a Nashville native, became a favorite among the fanbase after stepping in late last season and notching two assists in last years playoffs. 

He's jumped back and forth from Milwaukee to Nashville a few times this season, and Trotz has been publicly critical of Geoffrion failing to score in his last 31 games and failing to play at the level in which he showed last year. 

"Boomer", as coaches and teammates call him, has only three assists in 22 games this year and hasn't earned a spot on the roster.  

Nick Spaling: B+

Games played: 32

Goals: 5

Assists: 6

+/- : minus-2

Spaling has been tough on both ends of the ice this season and is only three points shy of having a career-best season with 5 goals and 6 assists so far. 

His play has been impressive at left wing this season, and if he keeps it up he will be getting a decent raise from his $1 million per year contract after 2012-13. 

Brian McGrattan: B

Games played: 22

Goals: 0

Assists: 2

+/- : minus-1

McGrattan came to Nashville for one reason: to play five minutes a game and throw elbows at the other team. 

He's not disappointed in either category, and he's made highlight reels in more than a few fights this season. You can't complain when he adds an assist to the scoresheet every now and then, either. 

If McGrattan doesn't mind coming back for somewhere in the $600,000-700,000 range, I'm sure the Predators wouldn't mind re-signing him in the offseason. 

Gabriel Bourque: B-

Games played: 1

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

+/- : even

How do you grade a player that has only played in one NHL game? 

Bourque was called up Tuesday and played the first NHL game of his career Wednesday in a 2-1 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild. He showcased his speed and nose for the puck, and is Trotz's latest choice of prospects to give a NHL trial to. We'll see if he can stand out from the pack, something Geoffrion couldn't figure out. 

Martin Erat: B

Games played: 29

Goals: 8

Assists: 15

+/- : plus-3

Erat has been a top-five scorer for Nashville for about a decade, and he again scratches the top-five so far this season with 8 goals and 15 assists.

He's the team's highest paid forward at $4.5 million per year and one of their go-to-guys, so another decent season earns an average B. 

Jordin Tootoo: B+

Games played: 35

Goals: 6

Assists: 10

+/- : plus-1

This picture sums up Tootoo's career. One of the hardest skaters on the ice, going all out every play and coming just short of being known as a point producer.

This year, although he hasn't lost his grittiness or his 'cajones', Tootoo has found the net and splashed onto the scoring column. He has 6 goals and 10 assists on the season, and is set to demolish his career-best 18 points in a year. He's also stayed healthy, and has only missed two games from a suspension for his hit on Ryan Miller.  

Patric Hornqvist: C

Games played: 36

Goals: 9

Assists: 5

+/- : minus-3

Hornqvist was arguably the Predators' best forward heading into the 2011-12 season after notching 99 points over the last two seasons combined. 

He has struggled to find his groove this year, barely cracking the team's top-10 in points. He does have nine goals, which is second on the team. 

Hornqvist and Kostitsyn's struggles have greatly brought the Preds down at times this season. 

Matt Halischuk: B

Games played: 37

Goals: 7

Assists: 3

+/- : minus-1

Halischuk has already played in more games this year (37) than any other year in his young career, and has contributed 7 goals and 3 assists. 

He's been stable for the Predators, appearing in every game so far and gelling well for the Predators at right wing. 

Pekka Rinne: B

Games started: 33

Record: 17-10-4

Save %: .918

GAA: 2.64

Last year, Pekka Rinne was hands down the best goalie in the NHL and was snatched of much deserved attention by Tim Thomas and the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. The Predators were so impressed that they inked him to a seven year, $49 million contract, highest in franchise history. 

His numbers have quietly dropped off this season, boasting a 2.64 goals against average, .52 higher than last season. He still pulls out unbelievable performances to keep Nashville in games, and is widely considered among the organization as the team's best defender (and that's saying something). Rinne will have to come up big if the Predators look to run deep into the playoffs. 

Anders Lindback: C

Games started: 4

Record: 2-4-0

Save %: .893

GAA: 2.75

Lindback came in for an injured Pekka Rinne last season and captivated the fanbase by going 11-5-2 in his starts. He hasn't been as fortunate this year. 

His save percentage has dropped from .915 to .893, and he's allowing 2.75 goals per game. Lindback will need to get his game right to be better suited to back up Rinne. 

Steven tweets about the Predators and tons of other sports trends. Follow him: @SCookBR