Training camp is off and running from the Bellevue Ford Ice Center for the Nashville Predators. A total of 61 players split up into three groups will challenge one another for spots and responsibilities in the organization over the next few days.
Day one felt more like the first day of school for the Predators. It was head coach Andrew Brunette’s first time leading a training camp while skaters like Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Schenn, Denis Gurianov, and Gustav Nyquist had their first taste of being on the ice as a team.
Once the first day wrapped up, players along with the staff, got off the ice for their first sessions under a new era of Barry Trotz as the new general manager and Brunette as the fourth coach in team history.
Some takeaways from day one:
Andrew Brunette
Hired by general manager Barry Trotz over the offseason and back for his first training camp as a member of the organization since he was last on the roster in 1999. As he’s adjusted to his new role there’s been some reflection in the meantime.
“Well, it’s been a little bit depressing,” Brunette said jokingly. “I was 25 and where did time go? So I get a little nostalgic. Time went by really fast. There have been wonderful memories with it being a little full circle. Coming to Nashville in 1998 and seeing the evolution of the city, the game of hockey in this community, which is a tribute to everyone that’s worn a jersey, who’s worked with the Predators, everybody that put a jersey on feels they have a small part in the success of Nashville.”
Over the offseason, Brunette didn’t necessarily get to know his players in person but did take the initiative to shoot some messages over and check in and call members of the team as well.
“I think as a player sometimes it’s important to take a step back. I sent a little message to them, got to know them a little bit, and as we go along here I’ll get to know them better,” Brunette said.
It was a long summer but Brunette has also seen prospects firsthand on the ice Thursday and skaters got to feel some things out today just getting back.
“A little bit of an eye-opener. I think it was demanding to play at a certain pace,” Brunette said of the rookies. “I thought they worked extremely hard and they tried as hard as they could. It takes time to get used to that pace and I think it was an eye-opener which is a good thing because they’re smart players.”
The theme of camp for Brunette is that everyone has a clean slate as he comes in and starts implementing how things will be run from now on.
“The past was the past and we have guys that have been here for a while and they’ve slotted in different roles,” Brunette said. “I believe anybody is gonna earn their role. I’m gonna watch and experiment which is fun but I don’t wanna have any preconceived notions of what they can’t do. I want to see what they can do and put them in the best positions to succeed.”
Filip Forsberg
After suffering a season-ending concussion in the spring forward Filip Forsberg is back to 100% and is eager to get going under a new system under Brunette.
Forsberg sharpened all his skills over the summer but one area he honed in on was his skating.
“I was working hard with our [skating coach] Jacki [Munzel],” Forsberg said. “I think that’s been the biggest improvement. I’ve been trying to do all the things that I do well, keep working on my shot, keep working on the hands, and being strong on the puck. I think the skating part is something I put an emphasis on trying to be a little smoother out there and hopefully, it pays off.”
Additionally, Forsberg is happy to have forward Ryan O’Reilly in a gold sweater after Nashville signed him to a four-year deal worth $18 million.
“He’s so driven. You can see why he’s so good. All the details on a daily basis, just trying to watch and learn from him,” Forsberg said. “Like touches around the board, It was so tough to play against him so I’m really excited to have him on our side.”
In terms of what Forsberg had to say about giving advice to the rookies he’s been in their shoes and knows it’s a new experience.
“Just try to bring your game. It’s not going to be perfect, it’s not perfect for us, we’ve done this for 10 plus years,” Forsberg said. “Just try to enjoy it, have fun, I think that’s what [Brunette’s] message has been to come out and enjoy this process.”
Juuse Saros
After playing in the second-most games during his tenure as a Nashville Predator goaltender Juuse Saros is poised to pick up right where he left off and didn’t appear to be too concerned about his workload.
“I like to play a lot of games, but obviously that’s kind of up to the coaches. I haven’t thought about it that much. I’ll just try to take it one game at a time,” Saros said.
The NHL has seen premier goal scoring in the last few seasons with the league average for goals scored coming in at 3.18 and 3.14 the last two years. Saros sees the challenge in front of him as one he can confidently take on.
“Nowadays it’s hard to read all the releases and read how the shots are coming,” Saros said. “You have to practice it as much as you can and get used to those hard shots.”
Last season Saros led the NHL with 46.7 goals-saved above expected while posting 33 wins in 63 starts. He did all he could to keep the team on pace for the playoffs but ultimately fell short.
“It was a crazy year,” Saros said during locker-clean out day in April. “It felt like two different seasons packed in one. It was too bad we couldn’t make it (to the playoffs). It was disappointing, but I was proud of the guys with how we pushed in the last 25 games or so with all the trades and injuries.”
Ryan O’Reilly
One of the new faces in town made his unofficial debut in Bellevue and flashed some quick shots and finesse moves. The veteran enters his first season as Predator with excitement and comfortability as things will be more serious in the next few practices.
“There are so many good pieces here, obviously I know why I’m here is to help contribute and be a leader for this young group,” O’Reilly said. “Nice to get out there with coaches and more structure and obviously much more pace than what a summer skate is but it’s great. It’s been impressive so far.”
One way the transition has been made easier was the signing of his brother Cal who is a familiar face to the Predators. Cal was drafted by Nashville in 2005 and played here for four years. Now as a near 37-year-old the O’Reilly’s take on training camp together.
“It’s so nice to have a brother to lean on for that and even to be here at camp with him it’s special,” O’Reilly said. “Me watching him play here and become a professional hockey player and now to be in the rotation with him it’s pretty cool to be on the ice with him at camp.”
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