The Luxury of Nashville’s Fourth Line
After an abysmal start to the season, the Nashville Predators have clawed their way back into the postseason discussion in the last two months. Much of the public credit goes to top players on the roster like Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Roman Josi who have combined for 38 goals and 89 points since the beginning of December. It isn’t just Nashville’s stars that are responsible for the team’s turnaround. Andrew Brunette gives a lot of credit to the fourth line.
“They’re crucial for us,” Brunette said of Nashville’s fourth line. “They set the tone for us a lot of nights for our group. They drag us into the fight.”
Michael McCarron and Cole Smith along with NHL rookies Reid Schaefer and Ozzy Wiesblatt have been an anchor for the Predators in a season of extreme ebbs and flows. A disappointing start to the season was buoyed by the constancy of Nashville’s often overlooked fourth line.
“We’re just predictable,” McCarron said.
Their roles aren’t glamourous, their style of play is physically demanding, and their assignments are never easy. They often get the hardest matchups on game days.
“We get some tough matchups,” McCarron said. “As a line, coach believes in us to shut down another team’s top line most nights. It’s not always easy. The way we play, it makes the other team’s best line have to go 200 feet.”
Part of what makes Nashville’s fourth line effective is chemistry. McCarron and Cole Smith have played together for several seasons.
“Me and Smitty have been together for three, four years now,” McCarron said.
McCarron, originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens 25th overall in the 2013 NHL draft, was traded to Nashville on January 7, 2020. He made his Preds debut on February 8, 2021 and become a fourth line fixture in November 2021. Cole Smith signed as a free agent with Nashville on March 19, 2020. He played nine games for the Predators before earning his regular roster spot out of camp in October 2022. The two have played together on a line for most of their time in gold.
That type of consistency on a fourth line isn’t always the case in the league.
“It’s nice to have that luxury,” McCarron said of his tenure with Smith.
“Not every night do you get that or not every team gets that. If you lose one or two, usually it’s a guy on the fourth that comes out. Not saying that doesn’t happen here, but we’ve been lucky to be together for close to twenty, thirty games now.”
Consistency plays a large part in Nashville’s fourth line success.
“It’s nice to have a familiar face next to you that knows where you’re going to go and how you’re going to play and what you’re going to do in every instance with the puck,” McCarron said.
The familiarity McCarron and Smith have works well on the ice and spills over into a tight friendship away from the rink.
That chemistry plays a big part in the line’s effectiveness. The pair have been helpful linemates for Wiesblatt and Schaefer who have shared significant ice time with the veterans in their rookie seasons.
“They let me play my game,” Schaefer said after Monday’s practice. “When they have things to tell me, they’ll let me know. For the most part those guys have taken me under their wing and helped me a lot with the transition here to the NHL.”
“They’re fun guys to play with. They’re physical. They bring energy. They’re guys I look up to.”
McCarron and Smith have been more than just good mentors. Nashville’s fourth line has the second most high danger chances of any line this season. They are tied for most rush chances generated, all while taking the second most defensive zone faceoffs.
McCarron knows his line is playing the right way, but he’s ready to see those offensive opportunities result in more scoring.
“We’ll start producing,” McCarron said. “It’s a matter of time. We’ve pitched in a little bit, but at the end of the day we are here to shut down other teams’ top lines and play a big role in the penalty kill. Eventually goals will start going in for us.”
All that being said, the luxury of Nashville’s fourth line could be in jeopardy. Both McCarron and Smith will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Barry Trotz has been clear he wants to get young players experience at the NHL level, but with Nashville just three points out of a wildcard spot, Trotz may opt to let this roster stay together for a playoff push.
McCarron knows the team’s success could have a significant impact on his future. He admits to checking the standings every day now that Nashville is back in the mix.
He also is well aware that there’s a chance he and/or Smith could be moved at the deadline.
“I wouldn’t say I always think about it, but it creeps in every now and then. I’m human,” McCarron said.
“That just makes me want to play harder so we make the playoffs. If we were in the same position we were two months ago, I’m sure a lot of guys would already be gone by now. But guys bought in. They want to stay here and win together here.”
Nashville’s fourth line may be an overlooked part of the team’s recent success, but their value is not something Andrew Brunette takes for granted while he has it.
“It’s a really good luxury to have.”
What is Trotz doing? WTH?
In the meantime, let's let the old guard keep us somewhat interesting.