Preds' Mike Ribeiro hopes to repeat last year's success

Predators center Mike Ribeiro may have found a second wind in his career last season.

After seeing his point total decline for three straight seasons, Ribeiro exploded on to the scene after signing with the Predators and finished the year with 15 goals, 47 assists and 62 points — 15 points more than he had the previous year.

The 35-year-old veteran will look to keep it going this year after having a season to settle in to his new role and make adjustments.

“Last year was a new start for everyone,” Ribeiro said. “Not just me, but we had a new coach, and everyone had to adjust themselves, so to be able to have our second year with the same group and the same coaching staff I think will help us.”

One teammate who benefited from Ribeiro’s resurgence was rookie left wing Filip Forsberg.

“He’s meant a lot to me,” Forsberg said. “Obviously last year he was trying to teach me the way to do things, and he’s been in the league for awhile. He’s just a tremendous hockey player, and it’s great to have him on our team.”

Forsberg paid attention to what Ribeiro was teaching and finished the year with a team-leading 63 points — one more than Ribeiro — in his first full season in the league.

It was the first time that two Predators finished with 60-plus points since the 2007-08 season when forwards Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont accomplished the feat.

Predators coach Peter Laviolette said there’s no change in gameplan for the two this season.

“I think they want to get back to playing the way they were,” Laviolette said. “They were a successful line force all year long, and I think it’s important for them to establish that identity early with that line.”

Josi takes leadership role: Before practice Tuesday, Laviolette announced that defenseman Roman Josi had been named to the team’s leadership council as an alternate captain.

“He’s a terrific impact player for us both in the locker room and on the ice, and it’s certainly well-deserved by him to join the group,” Laviolette said.

Josi joins team captain Shea Weber and alternate captains Mike Fisher and James Neal.

“It’s a big honor to be in that leadership,” Josi said. “There’s so many great leaders on the team; so many guys with a lot of experience in this league. I’m just going to try to play my puck and play my role.”

Fisher and Neal will remain full-time alternate captains while Josi will sport the “A” on his jersey any time one of the two doesn’t play.

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.