The 2018-19 season for Kyle Turris was a struggle. Turris’ first full season with the Nashville Predators was plagued with injuries and ineffective play. He was supposed to be the second-line centre that would provide depth and back up the “JoFA” line of Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson.
However, the New Westminster, British Columbia native never got off the blocks and only provided seven goals and 16 assists in 55 regular season games. He did add a goal and an assist in the Predators’ six playoff games in their opening-round loss to the Dallas Stars. Turris played well for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. He had four goals and six assists in 10 games. Canada picked up the silver medal in Slovakia thanks to the efforts of Turris.
Nashville general manager David Poile addressed the second pivot question by signing Matt Duchene in free agency. Duchene is a fine addition to the team, but that brought up the question of where would Turris end up playing. Adam Vingan of The Athletic (subscription required) investigated the issue.
Our Puck Drop Preview had Turris slotted into the wing spot on the second line. However, some wondered if he’d be the right fit.
Possible Lineup Spots for Kyle Turris
Second-Line Wing
The 30-year-old mentioned he couldn’t remember the last time he played wing in the article. He’s only played the position in spots and he’s been playing with different linemates during the pre-season. Turris has been with Johansen and Arvidsson in practice and during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
#Preds lineup in warmups
Turris-Johansen-Arvidsson
Smith-Duchene-Granlund
Carr-Bonino-Grimaldi
Salomaki-Jarnkrok-WatsonEkholm-Ellis
Tinordi-Fabbro
Hamhuis-SantiniRinne
Saros#CARvsNSH— Brooks Bratten 🍪 (@brooksbratten) September 25, 2019
Head coach Peter Laviolette held Forsberg out of that game, so Turris got to skate at the wing position on the top line. However, the JoFA line will likely stay together once the regular season starts. The Puck Drop Preview had Turris on the right wing. It was centered by Duchene and had Mikael Granlund on the left side.
Duchene brings consistent production across the board (stats provided by Evolving Hockey) with 1.02 goals per 60 minutes played and led every category of team’s centres from the 2017 to 2019 seasons. He’s also one of the best faceoff men in the league at 55.3 percent while Turris won 50.8 percent of draws. Turris does do better on the power play metrics with goals per 60 (Turris has 2.25 to Duchene’s 2.08), primary assists per 60 min. (1.43 to 1.34) and shooting percentage (29.0 percent to 22.6).
Laviolette shuffled the lines as what often happens in the pre-season and Turris did assist on Craig Smith’s power-play goal. Nashville’s head coach said that others will get an opportunity to earn a coveted spot on the second line.
Duchene said that it can be easier to move from centre to the wing and that Turris is a great player. He commented that his former teammate with the Ottawa Senators could “thrive” on the wing.
Third-Line Centre
Turris could also be moved down to the third line to play his natural position. Nick Bonino currently occupies the third pivot position, so that poses another lineup question. Bonino is coming into a contract year and wants to prove his worth for Nashville or any other team that will offer him a deal.
Moving Turris to the third centre spot would allow him to get some better matchups against non top-six lines. Our preview had Bonino anchoring a line with Smith and Calle Jarnkrok. Turris on the third line would give him even more protection. However, would his numbers suffer as a result of not playing with better finishers?
Other Spots
Breaking up the JoFA line would likely cause an uproar, but it could get Turris going if he played with one or two members of that line. However, that line has impeccable chemistry and will likely be together barring injury. Laviolette will tinker, but the first line will be set.
Duchene is firmly locked into one of the two pivot spots, so there’s likely little possibility of Turris playing centre while Duchene plays wing.
What it Means
Turris still has another five years to go at $6 million per season. He will get every chance to prove himself. There will spot for him on the club. However, he will likely have to play out of his natural position in order to make it work.
The 11-year veteran is a three-time 20-goal scorer and can be a great secondary scorer. Nashville got goals from multiple players when it made its run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. Getting Turris going will be critical if the Predators want to be among the best in the west.
NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 03: Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on November 3, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/NHL/Getty Images)
