Gina: Eight centers. One roster spot left for a forward that isn't already named Ross Colton or Steven Stamkos. If you thought the Predators' front office was playing chess last week, they just flipped the board and started playing checkers with your heart rate.
Wes: It’s not chaos, Gina. It’s an overload of offensive talent. But when you look at the ice geometry, having eight players who all want the puck in the high-danger areas is a tactical puzzle that even Ryan O'Reilly might struggle to solve by October.
Gina: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Gina, and this is the daily show where we break down every angle of Nashville hockey. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Wes. Wes, are we ready for the mailbag?
Wes: Always. And today, we’re diving into the questions you’ve sent about that unprecedented center logjam, the Mavrik Bourque acquisition, and what it actually means for the opener against Minnesota on October 2nd.
Gina: Here’s what we’re covering: First, we tackle the biggest fan question about whether Steven Stamkos can survive the minutes with this many other centers. Second, we break down the right wing competition—Jonathan Marchessault versus Aiden Fink. And third, we answer your burning question about Juuse Saros starting the season against the Wild. Let’s get into it.
Gina: Starting with Segment One, we have a question from @HockeyMomNash. She asks: 'With eight centers listed on the roster, how does the coaching staff manage line combinations without getting confused? Is Ross Colton still the anchor?'
Wes: Ross Colton is absolutely the anchor. He’s the only one of those eight centers who can play both sides of the puck effectively while killing penalties. You don’t put Jack Drury or Adam Edstrom out there against top-six lines unless you’re desperate. Colton provides the two-way stability the Predators need.
Gina: Right. And then you have Steven Stamkos. Everyone is worried he’ll be buried on the fourth line because there are so many names ahead of him on paper. Does he lose his spot?
Wes: No. Look, you cannot bury Steven Stamkos in the NHL. Even with Mavrik Bourque and Tyson Jost in the mix, Stamkos gets top-six minutes. His power-play usage is non-negotiable. The confusion isn't about *if* he plays, but *where*. He might start on the second line with Filip Forsberg to take pressure off the top unit.
Gina: That makes sense. So it’s less about hiding him and more about optimizing his shot volume. What about Mavrik Bourque? We know he signed that six-year, $33 million deal after being traded from Dallas. Where does he fit initially?
Wes: Bourque is interesting. He’s a restricted free agent coming off 20 goals and 21 assists in Dallas. He’s younger than most of these guys. I see him sliding onto the third line, maybe with Alexander Kerfoot. He needs time to adjust to the Predators' forecheck, but his skating allows him to enter zones quickly.
Gina: So, essentially, we’re looking at a bottom-six grind for Bourque to start, with the expectation that he pushes for more ice time as the season goes on. That aligns with our prediction from Wednesday that he’ll score between 22 and 23 goals—he won’t do that if he’s only playing ten minutes a night.
Wes: Exactly. If he stays healthy and gets consistent shifts, 22 goals is very achievable. But the key is his defensive zone coverage. In Dallas, he had help. Here, he needs to be smarter in his own end.
Gina: Alright, moving to another listener query. Sarah from Knoxville wants to know: 'Is Roman Josi still the undisputed captain of the blue line, or is Justin Barron going to steal minutes?'
Wes: Josi is untouchable. He’s the engine. Justin Barron has upside, sure, but he’s still developing his gap control. Josi will pair with Nicolas Hague or Brady Skjei. Barron will likely start on the third pairing, learning behind experienced defenders like Kevin Gravel.
Gina: Good to know. So no immediate threat to the #1 job. Let’s shift gears to Segment Two, where we’re talking depth chart battles. We’ve got a question from Marcus in Memphis about the right wing.
Gina: Marcus asks: 'Jonathan Marchessault is a veteran star, but Aiden Fink is young and hungry. Who wins the starting right wing spot for the opener against Minnesota?'
Wes: Marchessault starts. No debate. He’s played alongside Filip Forsberg before, and their chemistry is proven. Fink is talented, but he needs more seasoning. Marchessault brings the physicality and playoff experience the Predators need against a team like Minnesota.
Gina: Agreed. Marchessault is the safer bet for Game 1. But what about the other RW spots? We have Ozzy Wiesblatt, Ryker Lee, Cole O'Hara, and Matthew Wood in the mix. Is anyone surprising us?
Wes: Ryker Lee is the wildcard. He’s fast, and if the coaches want to push the pace against Minnesota’s neutral-zone trap, Lee gives them that speed. But he’s risky defensively. I think we see more of O'Hara or Wood early on—they’re reliable, steady forwards who won’t make costly mistakes.
Gina: So it’s Marchessault up top, and a battle between Lee’s speed and O’Hara’s reliability for the lower lines. What about the goaltending situation? This is huge. Do we finally confirm Juuse Saros starts against the Wild?
Wes: Yes. After predicting this yesterday, I stand by it. Saros is the starter. Justus Annunen and Isak Posch are backups. Saros needs the regular rhythm, especially with the defensive corps changing slightly with Lyubushkin arriving. He’s the guy you trust in October.
Gina: Fantastic. So Saros is the clear #1. That settles that debate. Now, let’s head into Segment Three, our fun hypothetical and lightning round. We have a question from @WildCardFan asking: 'If you could trade away one of the eight centers to clear space, who goes?'
Wes: Ouch. That’s a tough one. I’d say Adam Edstrom. He’s a project player, and while he has potential, he doesn’t offer the immediate NHL impact that someone like Jack Drury or even Tyson Jost does. Trading him for a draft pick or a minor-league prospect makes sense.
Gina: I agree. Edstrom is too raw for a playoff push. What about Dolly Parton tributes? The headlines mention Tennessee leading the tributes. How does that impact the team's mindset entering camp?
Wes: It’s a unifying moment for the state. Hockey in Tennessee has always been tied to local culture. Seeing Peyton Manning and the Cowboys involved shows how big this is. It adds a layer of emotional weight to the season opener—it’s not just hockey, it’s community pride.
Gina: Beautiful. Okay, lightning round. Quick takes. Question from @PredsPride: 'Will the Predators finish first in the Central Division?'
Wes: Yes. With Saros locked in, Forsberg healthy, and this much depth at center, we have the best roster in the division. 97 points, remember?
Gina: And final quick take: 'Is the Evangelista trade a win?'
Wes: For asset management, yes. For immediate impact? Neutral. But clearing cap space helps us keep this deep roster viable.
Gina: Before we go, I need to ask you something directly. We keep this show free, with no ads and no paywall, because we believe great hockey analysis should be accessible to everyone. Your support is what keeps the lights on and the episodes daily. If you value this content, please chip in via the link in the episode description.
Wes: It really does matter. Every contribution helps us stay independent and focused on the game. Thank you for listening.
Gina: Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network. We predict the Predators hit 97 points, Juuse Saros starts Game 1, and Mavrik Bourque scores 22 goals. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Go Hounds!