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The Nashville Predators open coaching camp with conferences and physicals Sept. 18, with on-ice actions starting Sept. 19 at Ford Ice Heart Bellevue. It might be probably the most extremely anticipated coaching camp in franchise historical past because of the addition of offseason acquisitions Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, however there are nonetheless a number of unanswered questions surrounding the workforce as they head into camp.
The Hockey Information’ Emma Lingan solutions a handful of reader-submitted questions on this week’s Predators Mailbag. (Some questions have been edited for readability.)
Query: Any replace on Philip Tomasino? (@TaylorB13739236)
EL: Briefly, no. Tomasino, a restricted free agent, is one among 14 unsigned gamers on Nashville’s coaching camp roster. The Predators submitted a qualifying supply to Tomasino, however no settlement has been reached. The events can proceed engaged on a contract all through camp.
Query: How will we watch the Preds this 12 months?! Bally nonetheless? (@KirstieAdkisson)
EL: As of now, sure. Regionally broadcast Predators video games will likely be obtainable within the Nashville market on Bally Sports activities South, Bally Sports activities.com, the Bally Sports activities app or via direct-to-consumer streaming service Bally Sports activities+. Nonetheless, Diamond Sports activities Group, which owns Bally’s regional sports activities networks, is in its eleventh month of chapter court docket; so the state of affairs stays in flux. The New York Post recently reported that Diamond is has continued negotiations with Amazon about becoming a member of forces on a direct-to-consumer enterprise the place Bally Sports activities channels could be obtainable on Prime Video at a further value as a part of a non-exclusive deal that would launch forward of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons, however nothing is official on that entrance but.
Query: Will we see any of the ‘close to prepared’ ahead prospects (L’Heureux, Svechkov, and Kemell) in Nashville this season? What can we count on? (@CodyStormPanic)
EL: I’d push again barely and say that Zachary L’Heureux, Fedor Svechkov and Joakim Kemell aren’t fairly as “close to prepared” for the NHL as plenty of followers appear to assume they’re. Keep in mind, Luke Evangelista is the exception to the rule; it is extra widespread for prospects to spend a minimum of two full seasons within the AHL earlier than cracking an NHL roster.
Query: Appears to be a forgone conclusion that Nashville retains the highest line. Likelihood they break up them up? (@aj_hansen)
EL: There’s all the time an opportunity. Count on to see each line mixture possible throughout coaching camp as head coach Andrew Brunette and his workers decide which gamers have the perfect chemistry with each other and complement one another’s expertise the perfect.
Related: Filip Forsberg is One of NHL’s Best Players Who Doesn’t Get Trophy Recognition
Query: Who do you assume makes the 4th line this season? (@AustinTobak)
EL: If Michael McCarron and Cole Smith hold their spots on the fourth line in 2024-25, I feel Juuso Pärssinen could be a great candidate to take Kiefer Sherwood‘s spot. He has the dimensions, physicality and offensive upside, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not the fourth line will nonetheless be the “id line” and, in that case, whether or not Brunette will belief Pärssinen to play such a vital function in driving offense.
Query: Do you assume they play Wedgewood sufficient to present Saros a lighter workload? (@AustinTobak)
EL: I definitely hope so. Scott Wedgewood informed us throughout his introductory media availability that there had been no guarantees from the Predators teaching workers concerning his workload and enjoying time, however he’s greater than able to giving Juuse Saros some extra common relaxation between the pipes. Wedgewood performed a career-high 32 video games for the Dallas Stars in 2023-24 whereas starter Jake Oettinger missed almost a month as a result of harm, posting a 6-3-2 report in 11 straight begins throughout that stretch.
Query: If Zachary L’Heureux is “Comfortable”, who would you assign to the opposite 6 dwarfs? (@The_Pred_Head)
EL: Incredible query, particularly since I occur to have a seven dwarves-themed mousepad on my desk for reference. Off the highest of my head, I would must go together with Juuse Saros as Bashful, Roman Josi as Doc, Alex Provider as Sneezy, Michael McCarron as Dopey, Tommy Novak as Sleepy and as Filip Forsberg as Grumpy.
Query: What was one thing that helped you get into sports activities to get your dream job? (@emma.claire864)
EL: Being a workforce participant and saying sure to each alternative! Even when one thing is not your “dream” job, you by no means know the place it’d lead and what alternatives it might unlock for you down the highway. It is a marathon, not a dash.
