Another year where the Predators will be raising the wrong banner, another year wondering if the current roster can cut it. Every team since 2014 to have won the Stanley Cup—and hockey has a short memory when it comes to success—has had multiple star forwards and just one defender who’s viewed as contending for the Norris Trophy.
Some of what makes a forward a star is just perception, of course. A few years ago Nicklas Bäckström was one of those well-kept secrets, someone Capitals fans and media knew was good but who was often overlooked by national media.