The roster has been set and the Nashville Predators are down in Tampa Bay waiting to take the ice in Amalie Arena. Puck drop is set for 4:30 p.m. CT with Nashville taking part in the first NHL game of the regular season.
An injured participant from training camp Nolan Burke is set to join the Milwaukee Admirals. He was still recovering from an offseason surgery in Nashville and his timetable to return to game action is still to be determined.
Head coach Andrew Brunette had his first training camp in town while new general manager Barry Trotz enters his first season overseeing the operation.
“We had four or five guys competing for spots and the defensive corps has been competing for the whole camp,” Brunette said. “It’s tough to make those decisions. A guy like [Denis] Gurianov it was tough, he’s been successful at this level and unfortunately it’s part of the business. They’re not fun decisions but I think organizationally they’re good decisions to have.”
The hope for Gurianov is Brunette wants to see him get his game down and look like the player he’s been in the past. He stated that they still believe in him despite joining the American Hockey League affiliate and no one claiming Gurianov on waivers in the process.
However, Brunette has seen a particular line on offense that has showcased potential to be a threat to work with this season. Going into game one he’s penciled in forwards Philip Tomasino, Tommy Novak, and Luke Evangelista together.
“They’ve created the offensively the most for us all through camp,” Brunette said. “They created nightly offensively and they have some work to do a little bit on the other side of the puck and they’re young players at this level. I’ve really enjoyed watching them create and they read off of each other really well. It will be a good test for them tomorrow, it’s a hard place to go play so we’ll see how they do.”
Forward line rushes this morning #Preds
Forsberg – ROR – Pärssinen
Nyquist – Glass – Sherwood
Tomasino – Novak – Evangelista
Trenin – Sissons – SmithExtra: Fagemo – McCarron
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) October 9, 2023
Additionally, taking a glance over the roster the Predators have forward Michael McCarron on the team. He made the team last season out of camp and is right back where he wants to be.
“It’s always different when you get a new coach and GM that come into town, you don’t really know what to expect or how things are going to play out and what their visions are,” McCarron said. “I made it last year, obviously it was a little messed up year for me, but I didn’t really know what to expect, however, I’m really excited to be here and help this team win.”
Last December McCarron entered the National Hockey League’s Player Assistance Program after skating in 15 games. He returned to the team in March this year after a stint with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Photo of Michael McCarron fighting Tampa Bay Lightning forward Austin Watson courtesy of Nashville Predators
“Yeah, doing great now,” he said. “I love the sport and this organization, the guys are great I love being around them. Makes life a little easier when you’re around people you love so it’s great. We have a great group here and hopefully, we can do great things together.”
McCarron knows he can drop the gloves for a fight when he knows to answer the bell, but he’s focused on being a solid piece to the roster as well.
“The fighting is in me, I don’t know why, it just follows me around, I can’t help it,” McCarron said. “I focus on trying to be a good hockey player first a foremost. The fighting will come, but you have to do what you have to do to protect your teammates and make sure no one is taking liberties on guys like Novak and Evangelista.”
A fresh face to the Predators is forward Gustav Nyquist. He’s set to be on a line with centerman Cody Glass and winger Kiefer Sherwood after watching practice on Monday. Nyquist is a veteran of 703 NHL games and 428 points in 12 seasons.
“We have a young team but I’m impressed by all of the young guys,” Nyquist said. “How they handled camp and I think we’ve gotten better as a group each day and each game has looked a little better structure-wise.”
The adjustment process is something Nyquist has gone through a few times going from the Detroit Red Wings to San Jose Sharks and then from the Columbus Blue Jackets to a short stint this spring with the Minnesota Wild.
He’s also adjusted his family to Nashville as well ahead of the season starting.
“It has everything you want to offer,” Nyquist said of Nashville. “It’s a great place to raise your family, and we’ve really enjoyed our time here and we’re going to like it.”
Stay in tune with the Nashville Predators this season right here on 102.5 The Game as Pete Weber has your call alongside analysts Jay More for home games and Hal Gill for road games. Max Herz has your pregame, intermission and postgame coverage once again throughout the year.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
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