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The Nashville Predators will hit the ice for coaching camp this week dealing with heightened expectations.
After final season’s unlikely playoff run and this summer time’s large free-agent haul, this Predators camp marks step one towards a extremely anticipated 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Listed here are three storylines to observe as coaching camp will get underway this week at Ford Ice Middle Bellevue:
Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault & Brady Skjei
One of many greatest questions forward of Predators coaching camp is the place the offseason acquisitions will slot in. Particular consideration can be paid to Steven Stamkos and whether or not he finally ends up at heart, the place he would fill the Predators’ biggest want, or on the wing, the place he has performed for the final a number of years underneath Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
No matter the place Stamkos performs, it has been extensively assumed that fellow free-agent acquisition Jonathan Marchessault can be his line mate on the wing; however there’s additionally the query of whether or not the Predators will break up final season’s prime line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist to shake up the highest six.
On the blue line, the addition of Brady Skjei may imply some reshuffling of the highest 4 defensemen. If Skjei performs on the highest pairing, it is doable that left-handed defenseman Roman Josi stays on the fitting facet, the place he beforehand moved to play with Ryan McDonagh. There’s additionally the likelihood that Skjei drops to the second pairing to work with a right-handed defenseman like Alexandre Service, Dante Fabbro or Luke Schenn.
Related: Predators’ Andrew Brunette Reveals Plans for Steven Stamkos in 2024-25
Everybody likes to overreact to ahead line mixtures and defensive pairings that get rolled out at varied factors throughout coaching camp, however the objective of camp is to check out each mixture doable to see which gamers have the very best chemistry with each other and complement one another’s abilities. Count on head coach Andrew Brunette to play the Predators’ new arrivals all all through the lineup throughout coaching camp and the preseason with out committing to a single lineup earlier than Opening Night time.
Outlined Roles on Particular Groups
Common supervisor Barry Trotz stated in July that one in every of his priorities throughout free company was buying items that may permit Predators gamers to have outlined roles on particular groups, specializing on both the penalty kill or the ability play. Final season, gamers comparable to McDonagh, Josi, O’Reilly and others pulled double obligation and logged important minutes with each particular groups items, however do not count on to see that as a lot – if in any respect – this season.
Related: Can Steven Stamkos Duplicate his Past Power Play Success with Predators?
The addition of Stamkos particularly ought to present a significant enhance on the ability play. He has 49 power-play objectives over the previous 5 seasons with Tampa Bay, together with 19 final season alone. In the meantime, Skjei can be a big addition to the penalty kill after logging important minutes to guide the Carolina Hurricanes to an NHL-best 86.4% success price on the kill final season.
Who Will get the twenty third Roster Spot?
After signing RFA ahead Philip Tomasino to a one-year deal on Wednesday, the Predators have 22 gamers underneath contract heading into coaching camp. They’ll carry a most of 23 on their energetic roster, and whereas no jobs are technically protected, it might take a minor miracle for any of the opposite 40-plus gamers at camp to beat out any of these underneath contract for a roster spot. In that case, the Predators may have one last spot to fill, and with house at a premium, the competitors needs to be fierce.
The on-ice portion of Predators coaching camp begins Thursday at Ford Ice Middle Bellevue. For extra data, together with the roster and observe schedule, click on here.
