Mike Ribeiro is a likely candidate to center the Predators' top line this season alongside James Neal, The Tennessean reports.

Ribeiro is a likely candidate to center the Predators' top line this season alongside James Neal, The Tennessean reports.

Analysis:

Ribeiro and Neal were teammates in Dallas for three seasons (2008-2011) prior to the trade that sent Neal to Pittsburgh, so it makes sense for the Preds to try and re-create whatever chemistry may have existed between the two back then. In fact, Ribeiro's two best seasons came during this period (83 points in 2007-08 and 78 points in 2008-09), however don't expect him to put up similar numbers with his new team. We think a 50-point season is within his reach, with upside to 60+ if all goes well.