Nashville Predators Wrap-Up: Hockey Is Inching Closer

We are moving ever closer to the NHL’s target date for next season. As the holidays approach, will the Nashville Predators give fans the best gift of all?

As the days move towards the NHL’s target date of January 1 for a season start, Nashville Predators fans are getting excited about seeing some old and new faces in Bridgestone Arena.

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There has been a little more news recently about the format for next season, but nothing is certain at this point. The good news is January 1 is still the target start date for next season.

Meanwhile, there still hasn’t been any more trades or free agent signings from General Manager David Poile.

The last transaction was the acquisition of veteran center Brad Richardson on October 12.

Poile did pick up some players for the Milwaukee Admirals. On October 13, Poile signed goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo and Tyler Lewington to two-way contracts. Rem Pitlick also signed a one-year extension on October 18.

The feeling is that Poile will stick with the players he has now and adjust the roster down the road. He has cap flexibility to work with.

If a month into the new season finds the Predators in trouble, you can bet Poile will be looking to spend some of his salary cap horde that he has accumulated. If the Predators are sitting pretty good before the trade deadline, whenever that may be, he may make a move then. Time will tell.

This week we look at some NHL news, an arrival for Matt Duchene, and a particular goaltender who killed it in the Karjala Cup.

Thank You For Your Service

Wednesday marked Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada.

Happy Veterans Day to all of the men and women who protect and serve. Thank you for your service!

NHL Commissioner Plans For Next Season

On Tuesday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke about plans for next season. It appears that there are several issues to work out and lots of ideas on the table.

Site Expert Chad Minton of Predlines outlined all of the factors to starting the new season, and how it will impact the Predators.

There’s talk of having the teams play in a short-term bubble. Teams would travel to a bubble location, play for ten days or so, and then return home for a week. Bettman also said that he would never ask the players to play a full season in a bubble as they did for the playoffs.

Another idea was to temporarily realign the divisions so that the Canadian teams don’t have to travel to the United States and vice versa.

Bettman also said they are exploring the idea of having teams play in their venues. This would allow the possibility of having fans in attendance if local situations would allow.

Stay tuned for more information as it comes out.

Predators Sign Draft Pick

On Monday, Poile announced that the Predators had signed their second draft pick, Luke Evangelista, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Predators chose Evangelista with their second pick at number 42. Evangelista currently plays in the OHL for the London Knights and will continue to do so next season.

Last season Evangelista scored 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 62 games.

Matt Duchene and Family Welcome New Addition

On Monday, Matt Duchene and his family welcomed a new daughter. Her name is Jaymes Olivia Duchene.

Matt said on social media that Jaymes and his wife Ashley are both happy and healthy. This is the second child for the Duchene’s who also have a son named Beau.

Congrats on the new arrival!!!

Askarov Shines in Karjala Cup Tournament

Predators draftee Iaroslav Askarov, along with Predators prospects Egor Afanasyev and Semyon Chistyakov, participated in and won the Karjala Cup last weekend.

The Karjala Cup includes teams from Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic and includes many top European players.

Askarov posted a .962 save percentage and had a shutout in his three appearances. Performances like these only affirm that the Predators made a wise choice when they drafted Askarov with the 11th overall pick.

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.