Gina: You are not ready for this depth chart. We have eight centers on one roster, a new six-year deal signed just days ago, and a season opener against the Wild in three weeks. Who gets the top line? Who sits? And is Steven Stamkos still the engine?
Wes: It’s a logjam of historic proportions, Gina. I’ve analyzed line combinations for twenty years, and I have never seen a coaching staff with this many options at center ice. It’s beautiful chaos.
Gina: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every shift before the puck drops. I’m Gina, and this is your daily Nashville Predators breakdown. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Wes.
Wes: Hey everyone. It’s great to be back. The energy in Nashville right now is palpable, even if the scoreboard is still at zero.
Gina: Before we dive into the tactical nitty-gritty, let’s lay out the map for today. First, we’re tackling the most critical position battle in hockey right now: the center ice logjam. Second, we’re looking at the right-wing rotation and what Jonathan Marchessault brings to that mix. And third, we’re making our final roster cut predictions—who’s trending up, and who’s packing their bags for Milwaukee.
Wes: And remember, we predicted Juuse Saros would start against Minnesota on October 2nd, and we’re sticking with that. He’s the guy. But the skaters? That’s where the drama lives.
Gina: Let’s jump straight into Segment One: The Center Ice War. We talked about this yesterday, but it bears repeating. Eight centers. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Adam Edstrom, Tyson Jost, Alexander Kerfoot, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Mavrik Bourque. How do you even fit them all on the ice?
Wes: You don’t. Not all at once. This is about managing minutes and matchups. The key here is Mavrik Bourque. The Predators just signed him to a six-year, $33 million contract after acquiring him from Dallas. That tells you everything. They see him as a long-term cornerstone.
Gina: Right, and he’s only 24. He posted 20 goals and 21 assists in 82 games for the Stars. That’s elite two-way production. But how does he slot in behind Stamkos and O’Reilly?
Wes: He doesn’t slot in behind them immediately. I think you see Bourque playing alongside Filip Forsberg on the second line initially. Forsberg needs a playmaker who can drive the net, and Bourque has that size and skill. It takes pressure off the top line.
Gina: So what happens to Ross Colton? He’s been a staple there. Does he get pushed to third line?
Wes: Colton becomes the defensive anchor on the third line. His forecheck is relentless. If you want to grind teams down in the neutral zone, Colton is your man. But yes, his primary role shifts from scoring threat to defensive specialist.
Gina: And Steven Stamkos? Everyone is asking if the goal-scoring machine is slowing down. He’s still a center, right?
Wes: Stamkos is on the top line. Always. With Forsberg and maybe someone like Oscar or Jonathan Marchessault depending on who wins the RW battle. You don’t bench a generational talent because you have too much depth elsewhere. You use him to win close games.
Gina: What about the veterans? Ryan O’Reilly and Alexander Kerfoot. Are they out of a job?
Wes: Not at all. O’Reilly is the ultimate clutch player. When the game is tied in the third period, you want O’Reilly taking faceoffs. Kerfoot provides versatility. He can play wing, he can play center. He’s the Swiss Army knife of this roster.
Gina: So the hierarchy seems clear: Stamkos top, Bourque second, O’Reilly/Kerfoot third/fourth, and the rest battling for spots. What about Jack Drury and Adam Edstrom?
Wes: Drury and Edstrom are competing for the fourth-line spot. Edstrom brings size and net-front presence. Drury brings speed and puck skills. It comes down to who fits the system better on opening night.
Gina: And Tyson Jost? He was acquired earlier, but he’s still on the list. Where does he fit?
Wes: Jost is the odd man out unless someone gets injured. He’s a grinder. If you need physicality, Jost is your guy. But with Bourque and Colton established, Jost might find himself riding the pine or going to Milwaukee.
Gina: That’s a lot of pressure on the bottom half of the lineup. Let’s move to Segment Two: Right Wing and Defense. We have Jonathan Marchessault, Joakim Kemell, Aiden Fink, Ryker Lee, Cole O’Hara, Matthew Wood, and Isaac Ratcliffe. Who makes the team?
Wes: Marchessault is the lock. He’s won the Stanley Cup, he knows how to score. He’s playing next to Stamkos or Bourque. The question is who plays opposite Forsberg.
Gina: Isaac Ratcliffe has huge potential. He’s big, he’s fast. Do you think he starts the season?
Wes: I think Ratcliffe wins the training camp competition. He has the size to match up with bigger defenses and the skill to finish. But Joakim Kemell is dangerous on the power play. If you need a specialist, Kemell is your guy.
Gina: What about the defense corps? Roman Josi is the captain, obviously. But who are his partners?
Wes: Josi plays with Brandon Montour or whoever wins that spot. Wait, Montour isn’t listed here. Let me check the brief again. Ah, no Montour. So it’s Nicolas Hague, Justin Barron, and Nick Perbix competing for the other pair.
Gina: Wait, no Montour? Did I miss something? The brief lists Hague, Barron, Perbix, Gravel, Skjei, Lyubushkin, Wilsby, Sedoff, Skinner, Ufko, and Ahcan. That’s eleven defensemen!
Wes: Eleven defensemen! That’s insane. Usually, you carry seven or eight. This is another roster battle. Hague is the steady veteran. Barron is the offensive defenseman. Perbix is the rookie sensation.
Gina: So who starts next to Josi? Hague or Barron?
Wes: I’m going with Hague. He’s more consistent defensively. Josi needs someone who can kill penalties and clear the zone. Barron might be too risky early in the season.
Gina: And what about Ilya Lyubushkin? He was traded for Bourque. Does he make the team?
Wes: Lyubushkin is a physical presence. If you’re playing a team like the Wild, you want someone who can disrupt their forecheck. He’s likely the seventh defenseman, but he could push for sixth.
Gina: Brady Skjei and Ryan Ufko? Are they fighting for the last spot?
Wes: Skjei is the safe choice. Ufko is the high-upside pick. But given the stakes of the opener, Skjei’s experience probably gives him the edge.
Gina: Okay, so Josi/Hague top pair, Skjei/Perbix second, and Lyubushkin/Wilsby third. What about the goalies?
Wes: Juuse Saros is the starter. Justus Annunen is the backup. Isak Posch is... well, he’s there. But Saros is the guy. We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again.
Gina: Annunen looks good in preseason, though. Can he steal the job?
Wes: Not yet. Saros has proven himself. Annunen is learning. He’ll get some starts later in the season, but October 2nd is Saros’s night.
Gina: Alright, let’s wrap up Segment Two. We’ve got a loaded roster, but also a crowded one. Now, Segment Three: Roster Cuts. Who is trending up, and who is heading to Milwaukee?
Wes: Trending up: Mavrik Bourque. Obviously. He’s getting the contract, he’s getting the ice time. Also, Isaac Ratcliffe. If he shows that size-speed combo in camp, he’s hard to cut.
Gina: Who is trending down? Tyson Jost feels vulnerable. He’s been around, but the depth is deeper now.
Wes: Agreed. Jost is the most likely candidate to be sent down. Also, Adam Wilsby. He’s young, and with Skjei and Hague locked in, Wilsby might need more seasoning.
Gina: What about the centers? Adam Edstrom vs. Jack Drury. Who loses out?
Wes: This is the hardest cut. Edstrom brings size, Drury brings skill. I think Drury makes the team because you need scoring depth. Edstrom goes to Milwaukee.
Gina: So the final roster looks like: Stamkos-Forsberg-Bourque (wait, Bourque is center), Kolzig-Colton-O'Reilly, Kerfoot-Edstrom-Jost. And the defense: Josi-Hague, Skjei-Perbix, Lyubushkin-Wilsby. Goalies: Saros/Annunen.
Wes: Almost. I’d put Bourque on the second line with Forsberg. And maybe Colton on the third with O’Reilly. It balances the scoring load. You don’t want Stamkos doing all the work.
Gina: One last thing: The Dolly Parton tributes. Tennessee, Peyton Manning, the Cowboys—all honoring her legacy. It’s a reminder of what this city means.
Wes: It really is. Hockey is part of that fabric here. The Predators represent Nashville’s spirit. Resilient, loud, and proud.
Gina: We’re calling it there. Juuse Saros starts. Bourque shines. Jost rides the bus. And we predict the Preds take the Wild 4-2 on October 2nd.
Wes: We also stick by our 97-point prediction. It’s going to be a strong season.
Gina: If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is exactly what keeps us coming to you with fresh, free content every single day. Please consider supporting the show by clicking the link in the episode description.
Wes: Thank you for listening. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Gina: Go Preds! We’ll see you tomorrow.