Gina: The forward group is a logjam, the crease has a real fight brewing, and someone's favorite player is about to get a rude wake-up call. This is Predators camp, and it is going to get ugly.
Wes: Ugly for the guys on the bubble, but beautiful for us fans. We're talking all the roster battles that actually matter.
Gina: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, the home of Predators hockey. I'm Gina, joined by my guy Wes, and we are breaking down every position battle that will define this team's opening night roster.
Wes: We've got three big things coming up. First, the center depth chart and where Mavrik Bourque fits. Then, the backup goalie battle between Justus Annunen and Isak Posch. And finally, our cut-day predictions.
Gina: Stick with us, because we're about to get into the details that most fans miss. And remember, we're coming off that mailbag episode where you guys asked all the tough questions.
Gina: Alright Wes, let's start with the biggest question in camp: the center position. We've got Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and now Mavrik Bourque, plus a bunch of guys fighting for the fourth line spot.
Wes: Exactly. Bourque's new six-year, $33 million deal tells you the front office sees him as a core piece. But where does he slot in? O'Reilly and Stamkos are locks for the top six.
Gina: Bourque put up 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games with Dallas last year. That's not a depth guy, that's a top-six forward. So is he centering the second line, or do you move him to the wing?
Wes: I think he's a center. He's got the playmaking ability and the hockey IQ to drive a line. You put him between guys like Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault, and that's a matchup nightmare.
Gina: But what about Stamkos? He's played center his whole career, but at this stage, he might be better on the wing to save his legs.
Wes: That's a real possibility. Stamkos can still score, but his foot speed isn't what it used to be. Playing wing on the second line with Bourque could extend his career and keep the offense balanced.
Gina: And then you have Alexander Kerfoot, who's a versatile guy. Does he get pushed out of the top nine?
Wes: Kerfoot is the perfect Swiss Army knife. He can play center or wing, kill penalties, and he's reliable defensively. He's not going anywhere. He might even center the third line with a couple of young wingers.
Gina: So what about the fourth line? You've got Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Tyson Jost, and Adam Edstrom all fighting for one or two spots.
Wes: Colton brings grit and a Stanley Cup ring. Drury is a young guy with upside. Jost is the veteran who can play anywhere. Edstrom is a big body at six-foot-seven. Someone's going to be disappointed.
Gina: And don't forget the Wiesblatt twins, Oasiz and Ozzy. They're both listed as centers. That's a fun story, but are they actually in the mix?
Wes: They're long shots. Camp invites, probably. But with all these established guys, they're likely headed to Milwaukee or back to junior. Still, it's cool to see them together.
Gina: Alright, so the center battle is deep. But the real competition might be for the backup goalie spot. We talked about it on the mailbag, but now we're getting down to the wire.
Gina: Let's talk crease. Juuse Saros is the unquestioned starter, but behind him you've got Justus Annunen and Isak Posch. Who takes that backup job?
Wes: Annunen has the edge in experience. He's played in the NHL and has a bit more polish. Posch is a younger guy, maybe more upside, but he's got to prove he can handle the NHL pace.
Gina: Posch is a name that might not be familiar to a lot of fans. Give us the scouting report.
Wes: He's a technically sound goalie, quick reflexes, and he's been solid in the minors. But the jump from AHL to NHL is massive. Annunen has already shown he can win games at this level.
Gina: So you're saying Annunen is the safe pick, but Posch could steal it with a strong camp?
Wes: Exactly. And remember, the preseason games against Minnesota are coming up on October second. That's a chance for one of them to make a statement.
Gina: Let's pivot to the blue line. Roman Josi and Brady Skjei are your top pairing, but there's competition for the other spots. Nicolas Hague, Justin Barron, Nick Perbix, and Ilya Lyubushkin are all in the mix.
Wes: Hague is a physical presence and probably has the inside track for a top-four role. Barron has offensive upside but needs to be more consistent. Perbix is a steady two-way guy. Lyubushkin brings the physicality and just came over with Bourque.
Gina: And you've got young guys like Ryan Ufko and Adam Wilsby looking to crack the lineup. That's a lot of bodies.
Wes: It's a good problem to have. Competition brings out the best. But someone's going to be the odd man out, and that might mean a trade or a trip to the AHL.
Gina: Okay, so we've covered the centers, the goalies, and the defense. Let's talk about the wingers. There's a bunch of young guys like Luke Evangelista, Joakim Kemell, and Matthew Wood. Who makes the team?
Wes: Evangelista has been knocking on the door for a couple of years. He's got skill and he's probably ready. Kemell is a sniper but might need another year. Wood is a big right shot who could surprise.
Gina: And what about Aiden Fink and Ryker Lee? They're young, but they're pushing for spots too.
Wes: They're more likely AHL-bound, but you never know. If they impress in camp, they could force the coaching staff to keep them up.
Gina: Alright, it's time for our cut-day predictions. We've got a roster of 36 guys, and we need to trim it down to 23. Who's in and who's out? Let's start with the locks.
Wes: The locks are easy. Saros, Josi, Skjei, Forsberg, O'Reilly, Stamkos, Marchessault, Bourque, Kerfoot, Colton, and maybe a few others. That leaves maybe 10-12 spots up for grabs.
Gina: So which young forwards punch their ticket? I'm looking at Evangelista and maybe one of the other wingers.
Wes: I think Evangelista makes it. He's too talented to send down. And I'm going to say Kemell gets one more year in the minors to round out his game.
Gina: What about the fourth line? You've got Drury, Jost, Edstrom, and maybe a couple of others. Who wins those spots?
Wes: I'd say Drury and Jost get the nod. Edstrom might be a healthy scratch or sent down to keep his development on track. Colton is a lock when healthy.
Gina: So that means guys like Chase Bradley, Isaac Ratcliffe, and Reid Schaefer are heading to Milwaukee?
Wes: Most likely. They're good prospects, but they need more seasoning. Same with the Wiesblatt twins, unless they blow everyone away in camp.
Gina: And on defense, who are your seven? You've got Josi, Skjei, Hague, Barron, Perbix, Lyubushkin, and maybe one of the young guys.
Wes: I'd say Ahcan and Gravel are the veterans fighting for that seventh spot. Ufko and Wilsby are probably not ready. So I'll take Ahcan as the extra defenseman.
Gina: And in goal, you're going with Annunen as the backup, with Posch going to Milwaukee to play starter minutes?
Wes: That's how I see it. Posch's future is bright, but he needs reps. Annunen is the safer bet to step in when Saros needs a night off.
Gina: So who's trending up in camp so far? I'm hearing good things about a couple of the young guys.
Wes: I'd say Matthew Wood is trending up. He's a big body with a great shot, and he's been turning heads. Also, Ilya Lyubushkin is making an impression with his physical play.
Gina: And who's trending down? Maybe someone who was expected to be a lock but is now on the bubble?
Wes: Honestly, I think the pressure is on guys like Jost and Edstrom. They know their spots aren't guaranteed. If they don't show up, they could be watching from the press box.
Gina: Alright, let's wrap this up with our predictions. We said on the mailbag that the Preds make the playoffs with 97 points and Bourque scores 25-plus goals. You sticking with that?
Wes: I'm even more confident now. This roster has depth and talent. Bourque is going to thrive in a top-six role.
Gina: And the home opener against Minnesota on October second? That's a statement game. The Wild are a division rival, and we need to start strong.
Gina: That's our show for today. We broke down the center battle, the goalie duel, and made our cut-day predictions. Now it's on you, Preds fans: who makes your opening night roster?
Wes: Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode. We'll be back after the preseason games with the real answers.
Gina: Rate us five stars, share this with your hockey buddies, and let us know your thoughts on social. Until next time, Go Preds!