Gina: Eight centers. One roster spot that doesn’t exist yet. And a season opener against the Minnesota Wild just twenty-five days away. The Nashville Predators are staring down the barrel of their most chaotic training camp in recent memory.
Wes: It’s not just about who makes the team, Gina. It’s about who gets buried on the fourth line and who gets sent to Milwaukee before they even tie their skates. The depth chart is completely rewritten.
Gina: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every shift, every trade, and every headache for your favorite teams. I’m Gina, and this is the daily Predators show. Wes, you’re looking at a center ice logjam that would make a GM nervous.
Wes: I am. We’ve got Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Adam Edstrom, Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Mavrik Bourque all competing for minutes. That is eight names for what should be three or four top-six roles. Plus the Wiesblatt twins, who are listed as centers but play like wingers.
Gina: Before we dive into the madness, quick favor for everyone listening. If these deep-dive roster battles help you prep for the October 2nd opener, please chip in via the link in the episode description. It keeps the show free and daily. Now, let’s get to work.
Wes: Thanks, fans. We appreciate it. Today we’re breaking down the three biggest positional battles: the top-six center rotation, the right wing chaos with Jonathan Marchessault, and whether Justin Barron can hold off the veterans on the blue line.
Gina: We’ll also predict who’s cutting their camp shorts early. Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Eight centers. Who are the favorites to make the NHL squad?
Wes: Okay, let’s look at the core first. You have Steven Stamkos. He’s a generational talent, even if his defensive game has slipped. You have Ryan O’Reilly, who brings leadership and two-way reliability. Those two are locks for the top six.
Gina: Agreed. Stamkos gives you the power play goal scoring, and O’Reilly gives you face-off wins and penalty kill stability. But then you bring in Mavrik Bourque. Remember, we predicted he’d score between 22 and 23 goals last year in Dallas. Here, he’s getting a six-year, $33 million deal.
Wes: That contract is massive pressure. Bourque posted 20 goals and 21 assists in 82 games for the Stars. He’s a restricted free agent who proved he can produce at even strength. But does he beat out Ross Colton? Colton is gritty, plays a heavy game, and knows the system.
Gina: And don’t forget Jack Drury. He’s a playmaker, but his size is a concern against physical defenses like Chicago or Colorado. Then there’s Adam Edstrom. He’s huge, 6-foot-10, but can he skate well enough for the NHL pace?
Wes: Edstrom is the wild card. If he looks slow in drills, he’s gone. But Tyson Jost? He’s the ultimate utility guy. He can play center or wing, he forechecks hard, and he doesn’t miss assignments. In a compressed lineup, Jost might be safer than a pure center who struggles defensively.
Gina: So my take: Stamkos, O’Reilly, and Bourque start the year. Colton is the seventh center, pushing Drury for the final spot. Jost plays wing. Where do you see the Wiesblatt twins fitting in?
Wes: They’re listed as centers on the roster sheet, but that’s a clerical error waiting to happen. They’re wingers. Ozzy Wiesblatt has speed, and Aiden Fink is a rookie who needs development. They’ll likely compete for bottom-six winger spots, not center ice.
Gina: Makes sense. So the battle is really between Bourque, Colton, and Drury for those last two slots. And Kerfoot? He’s veteran depth, but he’s been here before. He’s safe unless he plays poorly.
Wes: Kerfoot is safe. He’s a grinder. He’ll eat up minutes on the third line. The real danger zone is for Adam Edstrom. If he can’t keep up with the pace, he’s shipped to Milwaukee immediately.
Gina: Alright, moving on. Right Wing. You have Jonathan Marchessault, Filip Forsberg, Isaac Ratcliffe, Joakim Kemell, Ryker Lee, Cole O'Hara, Matthew Wood, and Reid Schaefer. That’s eight players fighting for three spots. Who stands out?
Wes: Filip Forsberg is an All-Star caliber left wing, so he’s locked in. Jonathan Marchessault is the other lock. He brings clutch scoring and experience. The question is who joins them. Isaac Ratcliffe has size and skill. He’s young, but he flashes elite potential.
Gina: Ratcliffe is exciting, but can he stay healthy? He’s had injury issues. What about Joakim Kemell? He’s fast, explosive, but inconsistent. And Ryker Lee? He’s a defenseman playing forward? Or is he listed as a winger now?
Wes: Lee is listed as a RW, but he’s a defenseman by trade. This is a desperate move by the coaching staff to fill space. He won’t make the team. Kemell is the real battle. He needs to show he can play within the structure, not just chase pucks.
Gina: And what about Matthew Wood? He’s a journeyman. He provides toughness. If the team needs a physical presence, Wood is valuable. But if they want speed, Kemell or Ratcliffe win out.
Wes: I think Kemell edges it. His ceiling is higher. But watch out for Cole O’Hara. He’s a college kid with good hands. If he surprises in camp, he could steal a spot from a veteran.
Gina: Interesting. So Forsberg, Marchessault, and Kemell start the year? With Ratcliffe as the eighth forward? And Wood/O’Hara/Schaefer fighting for the last spot?
Wes: Exactly. Schaefer is a prospect who needs more time. He’s trending down. Kemell is trending up. If he scores in preseason, he’s in.
Gina: Let’s talk defense. Roman Josi is the captain. He’s untouchable. Nicolas Hague is solid. Brady Skjei adds size. Nick Perbix is emerging. But who else makes the cut? Justin Barron? Ilya Lyubushkin? Kevin Gravel? Adam Wilsby? Christoffer Sedoff? Hunter Skinner? Ryan Ufko?
Wes: This is insane. Ten defensemen on the roster. Josi, Hague, Skjei, and Perbix are the core four. Barron is the fifth. He’s young, mobile, and has upside. But can he handle the NHL pace against teams like the Wild?
Gina: Lyubushkin was acquired from Dallas along with Bourque. He’s a stay-at-home defender. He’s tough, but he’s slow. In today’s NHL, speed kills. Does he make the team over Barron?
Wes: That’s the gamble. Lyubushkin gives you physicality, but Barron gives you transition game. If the Predators want to counter-attack against Minnesota, Barron is better. But if they want to protect a lead, Lyubushkin is useful.
Gina: And what about the rookies? Adam Wilsby and Christoffer Sedoff? Are they ready?
Wes: Unlikely. They’ll likely start in Milwaukee. Hunter Skinner and Ryan Ufko are also depth options. The competition is brutal. I think Barron holds the sixth spot, and Lyubushkin is the seventh. Wilsby/Sedoff go to AHL.
Gina: So the final D-pairing battle is Barron vs. Lyubushkin for that last roster spot. And the goalies? Justus Annunen, Isak Posch, Juuse Saros. Saros is the starter. We predicted that last week. Annunen vs. Posch for the backup job.
Wes: Saros is the clear number one. He’s starting against Minnesota on October 2nd. Annunen has more NHL experience. Posch is younger, rawer. Annunen is the favorite, but Posch could surprise.
Gina: Alright, let’s wrap up with our roster-cut predictions. Who is going home to Wisconsin or Sweden?
Wes: My list of cuts: Adam Edstrom, because he’s too slow. Reid Schaefer, because he’s too raw. Christoffer Sedoff, same reason. And Ilya Lyubushkin, because he lacks the mobility for this system.
Gina: I disagree on Lyubushkin. He’s tough, and we need toughness against Chicago. I think Adam Wilsby goes home. He’s talented, but he’s unproven. And maybe Hunter Skinner. He’s a project.
Wes: Fair point. Wilsby is a risk. But Edstrom? He’s a giant. If he can’t skate, he’s useless. I stand by Edstrom being cut.
Gina: And what about the center ice situation? We talked about Bourque. Do you still think he scores 22-23 goals?
Wes: Yes. With Stamkos and O’Reilly drawing attention, Bourque will have open ice. He’s a smart player. He’ll adapt quickly.
Gina: And do you still think the Predators make the playoffs with 97 points?
Wes: Absolutely. The Central Division is tough, but this roster has enough skill. Saros is elite. Stamkos is still dangerous. And Bourque adds a new dimension. 97 points is realistic.
Gina: Great. So our final roster prediction: Stamkos, O’Reilly, Bourque, Colton, Drury, Jost, Kerfoot. Forsberg, Marchessault, Kemell, Ratcliffe, Wood, Fink. Josi, Hague, Skjei, Perbix, Barron, Lyubushkin. Saros, Annunen.
Wes: Solid. Keep an eye on Kemell. If he clicks, he could push for more minutes. And watch Edstrom. If he surprises, he stays.
Gina: That’s it for today’s breakdown. The Predators open against the Wild on October 2nd. Juuse Saros starts. Mavrik Bourque is ready. And the roster battles are heating up.
Wes: Stay tuned for more updates. Check the link in the description to support the show. We’ll see you tomorrow.
Gina: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Go Preds!