It’s well-known throughout the NHL that the Nashville Predators have arguably the best defensive corps in the league. Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, P.K. Subban, and Mattias Ekholm have elevated the Predators’ blueline in just two seasons together. Those top four defensemen, along with Pekka Rinne, have guaranteed security at the blueline. Those top two lines of Josi-Ellis and Subban-Ekholm have been solid for the Preds. Those top two lines are going nowhere (assuming the Preds and Ellis agree to an extension this summer).
What hasn’t always been certain in the Predators’ defense has been their third defense pairing.