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Nashville Predators: Predicting the Opening Day roster

By Corey Francis

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: The Nashville Predators celebrate with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 6 to 3 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: The Nashville Predators celebrate with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 6 to 3 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Are the Nashville Predators done making moves? The silence is deafening right now. Then it is time to predict the way-to-early Opening Day roster.

(CORRECTED! How did we forget Bonino?!)

Knock knock. Who’s there? Not the Nashville Predators.

Man, it has been a slow week in terms of news. Nothing to report on any potential trade or signing. The only news today was new players selecting their numbers for the season. Both Scott Hartnell and Anders Lindback, both with previous Predators experience, will retake their former numbers, 17 and 39, respectively. Nick Bonino is going with 13.

So, with the roster seeming to be relatively set, why not take a look at who makes the 23-man Opening Day Roster.

As stated yesterday in my posted of questions for the Predators, it was mentioned that the current roster sits at 25 players. That is according to the Nashville Predators’ website. That means two players listed on the current roster will be removed.

Now, we do not know the status of contract talks between the Predators and Ryan Johansen, and arbitration hearing are later this month for Viktor Arvidsson and Austin Watson. And, Mike Fisher is still up in the air. For now, Fisher is out, the others are in.

Things will likely change, but hey, we are here and talking about the team is what we want to do. So, here is the first, way-to-early Opening Day lineup for 2017.

Making the team

First off, the players that we are 100% certain will be on the team:

That gives the team 19 players. As you will notice, the right-wing position is thin. Very thin. But, also remember that the famous JOFA line allowed Arvidsson to play right-wing.

The Plausible

With 19 making it, that leaves four spots.

Matt Irwin and Anthony Bitetto provide solid depth to the defensive line, and provided good minutes last season. But, Alexandre Carrier is waiting in the shadows, ready to sneak in.

Miika Salomaki played in 11 total games last year, and is the only other right-wing on the roster. While Frederick Gaudreau is listed as a center, he played right-wing for the Milwaukee Admirals. While not a starter, he could bring good depth. Cody McLeod can be a double-digit scorer if given minutes. Starting the season in Colorado did not help, as five of his six total points game after being traded to Nashville.

The door is also open for some prospects, as long as they can provide offense. The problem is that only eight selections of last 21 are forwards. Could Eeli Tolvanen make the roster? It is doubtful at 18-years old that he will. Time on the ice will be crucial, and that means not being on the bench in Nashville.

Next: Pekka Rinne Is Great, But He Will Regress Next Season

The door is open for someone to make it that we do not expect. It is up to them to seize their chance.

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