Acquiring Nick Bonino in last summer’s free agency was a huge step for the Predators’ front office. Bonino provided (and provides) a reliable third-line center who can transition between roles and offer defensive reliability. Many Pittsburgh-centered articles mourned the loss of Bonino, as he was the center of the HBK line (Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel) of 2016 Stanley Cup fame.
Season Overview
Injured in last year’s Cup Final by none other than P.K. Subban, Bonino spent the summer rehabbing from a tibia injury. He was able to participate in training camp, but at some point in October, Bonino re-injured himself and was unable to be a big factor in the early part of the 2017-18 season.