J.P. Dumont

Dumont saw his output drop to just 45 points in 74 games last season, his lowest points-per-game level of production since 2002-03. By season's end, he also found himself squarely in his coach's doghouse, as Barry Trotz proceeded to lower Dumont's ice time from an average of 17 minutes per game in October-November to about 12 minutes in March-April. With Martin Erat and Patric Hornqvist both ahead of him on the Preds' depth chart at right wing, it appears Dumont's days as a top-six forward are all but over, at least with Nashville. Unless the 32-year-old winger is traded to another team that believes he can play a bigger role, he won't put up big numbers next year. Dumont was fifth in team scoring for the Preds last season with 17 goals and 28 assists in 74 games.

Dumont led Nashville in points last season, but it was with a paltry 65 points, and he quite frankly only ended up the leading scorer because he managed to play a full 82 games. Not to say that he doesn't have talent, and will a full complement of healthy players around him Dumont could put up about the same amount of points this season, mostly racking up assists.

Dumont was Nashville's most dangerous scoring forward last season. He tallied a career-best 29 goals in 2007-08 and was tied for the team lead in scoring with Jason Arnott at 72 points. He will be expected to carry the burden of the Predators' scoring efforts again in the new season, and we believe Dumont will be up to the task. He has scored 20-plus goals in six of his last seven NHL seasons and is coming off his best year as a professional. Unless Dumont clicks with some of the younger prospects that are likely to be on Nashville's roster this season, he will likely be handcuffed to Jason Arnott once again. Dumont is a streaky scorer and can go on the kind of goal-scoring tears that last weeks.

Dumont was Nashville’s second leading scorer last season and that’s saying a lot considering the company he was in. Although Dumont didn’t tally the goals that he was expected to, he did manage to find a place in the very productive Predator offense. He posted 21 goals and 45 assists in 82 games last season, and really turned into Nashville’s most consistent scoring threat down the stretch run of last season. Dumont scored four goals and two assists in the five-game playoff series against the Sharks last season and was one of the few bright spots from that dreadful series. Dumont will be expected to shoulder a big burden in the Predator offense in 2007-08 and we expect to see his goal tally reflect those expectations.

Dumont was a late-signing free agent in August, but a very welcome addition to the Predator's roster. Dumont brings 20-goal scoring potential to the table as he has four of the last five seasons. Dumont also brings to the table valuable playoff experience as he helped the Buffalo Sabres reach game seven of last season's Eastern Conference finals. Dumont will likely see first or second line action and plenty of power play time. In all, Dumont could be poised to have a career offensive season in 2006-07.

Dumont took a big step forward in 2003-04, scoring 22 goals and 53 points. He'll never be a great assist guy, but at least he put up a respectable 31 in that category last season. However, the guy can put the puck in the net, and he'll probably start getting more consistent as he gets older, especially with a more open NHL. There's no reason Dumont can't hit the 25/35/60 marks if he stays in coach Lindy Ruff's good graces.

Dumont took a big step forward in 2003-04, scoring 22 goals and 53 points. He'll never be a great assist guy, but at least he put up a respectable 31 in that category last season. However, the guy can put the puck in the net, and he'll probably start getting more consistent as he gets older. There's no reason Dumont can't hit the 25/35/60 marks if he stays in coach Lindy Ruff's good graces.