Gina: The Preds made the biggest splash of their offseason, and now the real fireworks are about to start — we break down the battles that will decide this roster.
Wes: From the crease to the bottom six, there are jobs up for grabs, and we're about to map out exactly who wins them.
Gina: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Preds fans! I'm Gina, and as always, Wes is here with the deep dive.
Wes: Let's get into it. Today we're talking roster battles — the backup goalie spot, the bottom-six forward competition, and who's on the chopping block.
Gina: We'll also touch on that new six-year deal for Mavrik Bourque and what it means for the lineup.
Wes: And we'll serve up our predictions for who makes the opening night roster against Minnesota on October second.
Gina: Let's start with the biggest question mark: who backs up Juuse Saros? We've got Justus Annunen and Isak Posch battling for that spot.
Wes: Right. Annunen has the edge in experience, but Posch is a wildcard. He's been turning heads in camp.
Gina: Annunen has played meaningful NHL games, though. That has to count for something.
Wes: It does, but I'm watching Posch's rebound control. If he keeps this up, he could push Annunen hard.
Gina: Give me a bold take here, Wes.
Wes: I think Posch steals the job by opening night. He's younger, cheaper, and the coaching staff loves his athleticism.
Gina: Whoa, that's a hot take. But if Posch struggles in the preseason, does that change your mind?
Wes: Absolutely. If he shows any nerves, Annunen is the safe bet. But I'm sticking with my gut.
Gina: Well, we'll see. Now let's shift to the forward group — Bourque's arrival shakes things up. Where does he fit?
Wes: He's a top-six center, no question. That means someone like Ryan O'Reilly or Steven Stamkos might slide to the wing.
Gina: But we already have a logjam at center — Colton, Drury, Kerfoot, Jost... it's crowded.
Wes: Exactly. That's the beauty of it. It creates competition, and that makes everyone better.
Gina: So who's the odd man out? We'll get to that in a bit. But first, let's talk about the bottom-six battle.
Wes: This is where it gets really interesting. You've got guys like Colton, Drury, and Jost fighting for ice time.
Gina: And don't forget the young guns — Wiesblatt, Kemell, maybe even Matthew Wood.
Wes: Right. The organization wants to see what these kids can do. That's going to make training camp intense.
Gina: Let's dig into that bottom-six battle a bit more. Who's trending up in your eyes, Wes?
Wes: I like Adam Edstrom. He's big, he's physical, and he's shown he can chip in offensively. He could be a great fourth-line center.
Gina: And what about the veteran presence? Kerfoot brings a lot of versatility.
Wes: Kerfoot is the ultimate utility guy. He can play center or wing, kill penalties, and he's reliable. He's a lock for a roster spot.
Gina: So who's on the bubble? Let's name names.
Wes: Tyson Jost is the obvious one. He's been a solid pro, but with the influx of young talent, he might be the odd man out.
Gina: That's tough. Jost has been a good soldier. But this is a business.
Wes: And then there's the wing spot. With Forsberg, Hoglander, Evangelista, and Marchessault, it's crowded there too.
Gina: Marchessault is a proven scorer. He's not going anywhere.
Wes: No, he's a lock. But guys like Aiden Fink and Ryker Lee are pushing for time. They might have to start in the AHL.
Gina: Let's not forget the defense. We have Josi, Skjei, and Hague at the top. What about the bottom pair?
Wes: Lyubushkin is a new addition from the Bourque trade. He's a physical, stay-at-home guy who can stabilize the third pair.
Gina: But there's also Justin Barron and Nick Perbix competing. It's a logjam on the blue line too.
Wes: Right, and you've got young guys like Ryan Ufko and Adam Wilsby knocking on the door. This is a good problem to have.
Gina: Alright, time for our roster-cut predictions. Wes, you're on the clock. Who's on the outside looking in?
Wes: I think Tyson Jost is the biggest name that gets cut. He's a veteran, so he might pass through waivers, but it's a numbers game.
Gina: And on defense?
Wes: I see Kevin Gravel and Hunter Skinner as the odd men out. They're solid pros, but there's just not enough room.
Gina: What about the goaltending? You already predicted Posch wins the backup job. Does Annunen get traded?
Wes: He might. If Posch beats him out, Annunen has value as a former NHL backup. The Preds could flip him for a pick.
Gina: That's a bold prediction. Let's talk about who's trending up. Who's making the biggest jump?
Wes: Mavrik Bourque is obviously trending up. He's got a new contract, a clear path to top-six minutes, and he's ready to explode.
Gina: We predicted he'd score 25-plus goals this season. Still feeling good about that?
Wes: Absolutely. He's got the talent, and he'll get the ice time. I'm sticking with that prediction.
Gina: And who's trending down? Anyone we should worry about?
Wes: I'm a little concerned about Luke Evangelista. He's got skill, but he's been inconsistent. He needs to grab a spot and run with it.
Gina: And what about the blueline? Is there a rookie who could surprise us?
Wes: Ryan Ufko is a name to watch. He's a great skater and moves the puck well. He could earn a spot if he has a strong camp.
Gina: Alright, let's wrap this up. What's the bottom line for this team heading into the season?
Gina: So to recap: the backup goalie battle is wide open, the bottom six is a logjam, and the defense has more depth than we've seen in years.
Wes: And with Bourque locked up, this team looks ready to make some noise. We still think they're a playoff team.
Gina: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Preds fans!
Wes: And as always, go Preds!
Gina: That's all for today. We'll catch you next time on the Beatline Podcast Network. Stay loud, Nashville!