from Robby Stanley at NHL.com,

The Predators have plenty of talent and are a team on the rise, but will they be able to break through in a competitive Central Division?

Here are four reasons for optimism entering this season:

Top four defensemen could be special

Subban adds to a top four that is arguably one of the best in the NHL. Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis excel in moving the puck quickly and are sound defensively.

"I think the game is definitely trending in that direction where mobile, puck-moving defensemen are, first of all they're hard to find," Subban said. "To have four of them on your [defense] corps, I mean it's tough. You don't see that in very many teams in the National Hockey League. It always seems that Nashville has been able to produce and have great defensemen, and I'm just happy to be a part of that [defense] corps."

Full season with Ryan Johansen

For the first time in Predators history, they will enter a season with a true No. 1 center. That's been a hole they've had annually had in their lineup, but Johansen has the talent to be a difference-maker.

Johansen had 34 points in 42 games with the Predators last season after being traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Seth Jones on Jan. 6. Johansen, 24, had instant chemistry with forward James Neal, and that could be a potent combination for Nashville this season.

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