Nashville Predators Wrap-Up: Waiting For Next Season

The speculation about next season’s roster continues. We are now waiting to see when training camp will start for the Nashville Predators.

The list of players for the Nashville Predators who will be attending training camp is all but set. We will have to wait a bit to find out exactly who will be on the opening night roster.

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Unfortunately, a date still hasn’t been set for training camp or even for the start of next season. The NHL still has lots of action items to hammer out before any dates can be set for next season.

We are waiting in nervous anticipation to see how the new-look Predators will perform.

Depending on how many games are played next season, this team may have to gel very quickly.

The departure of so many players leaves a team that will have to adjust quickly to new teammates and new line combinations.

All line combinations, aside from the top line and the top defensive pair, will require some tweaking. In the case of the third offensive line, it will have to be overhauled completely.

This upcoming season will be the first full season for head coach John Hynes. It will be essential for him to build camaraderie with this basically new team quickly. With so many new additions, it is almost like he is starting from scratch.

This week, we look at some NHL announcements, a new assistant coach, and an anniversary for Pekka Rinne.

NHL Announces Postponement of Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend.

With no dates set for the beginning of training camp or the start of next season, the NHL has postponed the Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend.

While the NHL has proven that they can put forth a good product without fans in attendance, these two fan-centric events don’t make sense in a bubble-like format.

Traditionally the Winter Classic takes place on January 1. That date is the projected start date for next season, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

With the uncertainty that looms with the pandemic, the NHL feels that it would be beneficial to fans and the NHL alike to postpone these events. With the potential of a shortened season, these events may have to wait until the 2021-22 season.

There will be more to come on these events as the information is released.

Timing For Next Season Makes Full Schedule Unlikely

It has always been the intent of the NHL to have a full 82-game schedule next season. As the January 1 or later start date looms, that may not be possible.

If fans aren’t allowed to attend games, televised games will be of the utmost importance next season.

However, due to the upcoming Olympic television schedule beginning in July, the NHL playoffs have to be completed before the Olympics start.

The NHL is evaluating everything from United States-Canadian border restrictions, upcoming medical advances to combat COVID-19, and when other leagues, including the AHL, are planning to start.

Predators Hire Todd Richards As Assistant Coach

On October 23, General Manager David Poile announced that the Predators had hired Todd Richards as an assistant coach, joining head coach John Hynes and assistant coaches Dan Lambert and Dan Hinote.

Richards has 12 years of coaching experience and recently won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach.

Richards was also an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals from 2002 to 2006.

Pekka Wins His First Game In North America

Before he was a Vezina winning goaltender for the Predators, Pekka minded the nets for the Predators’ AHL affiliate, Milwaukee Admirals.

Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of his first North American win. Since then, he has gone on to play in 659 games, winning 359 of those. He also has a career save percentage of .917.

Rinne will be entering the final year of his contract whenever the season starts. His plans after next season are anybody’s guess. If we had our wish, he would be the Predators’ goaltender forever.

Predlines Add New Contributor

This week we added a new contributor at Predlines, Colin Blouin. We are excited and glad to have him join our team. His pups look excited as well. Welcome, Colin.

The Predators have an excellent social media team. They do a great job keeping the fans up to date on team news and what they are up to.

While the Predators offseason rolls along, the start of training camp and more concrete details on next season should be announced soon. Changes are happening with the Predators, and we will bring you all of the news when it happens.