Nashville Predators: 3 Things We Need Out Of Training Camp

We are eighteen days away from the first preseason matchup of the 2021-22 season for the Nashville Predators. But first, training camp is quickly approaching, the event that kicks off the whirlwind start of a new season. We will finally get a glimpse of how this young team may perform once the puck drops on October 14 when they take on the Seattle Kraken.

More from Predlines

• Nashville Predators 2023 Training Camp Spotlight: Kiefer Sherwood
• Captain Candidates if Nashville Predators Didn’t Have Roman Josi
• The All-Time 25 Games or Less Nashville Predators Lineup
• Nashville Predators 2023 Training Camp Spotlight: Cody Glass
• Joakim Kemell Flashes his Offense in Nashville Predators Loss to Tampa

As the players wrap up their vacations and individual workouts, the time for them to head back to Nashville and begin to gel as a team is almost here. Looking at their roster and the players they lost in the offseason, it is safe to say that they will have their work cut out for them in camp this time around.

Since there are so many x-factors as this “competitive rebuild” season begins, this Predators team will more than likely face some challenges that they haven’t had for quite some time.

However, there is always hope that Nashville can rise above and beyond any expectations fans and sports media may have even with the challenges ahead.

If Nashville can pull together and make the following three things happen at training camp, it may provide all of us a brighter outlook on the season ahead and the team’s future down the road.

Leadership Must Step Up in a Big Way

The headline says it all.

The core group of veterans took a big hit this offseason with the departure of several key players. So now, the leadership of this young team falls squarely on veteran players who, now more than ever, need to produce and help bring along their young teammates in the process.

The veteran leaders must do whatever it takes to lead this team forward. They will need to set the tone early in training camp and help hone this young team into a roster with every opportunity to win.

Keeping the ship afloat starts with captain Roman Josi, but he will need all the help he can get from players like Filip Forsberg, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Johansen. These four players will play a key role in Nashville’s success next season.

To say a lot is riding on their shoulders next season is an understatement.

If the veterans can get everyone on board early in training camp and convey their expectations, it will put them in a good position for the start of the season. Coming out of the gate strong will be imperative for the Predators.

Challenge the Goaltenders and Get Them Comfortable Early

The Predators rode into the playoffs last year on the back of the otherworldly play of Juuse Saros. At the time, Saros still had the luxury of friend and mentor Pekka Rinne as a backup.

Now, Rinne is gone, Saros is the franchise goaltender for the time being, and expectations are higher than they have ever been.

Saros will be called upon to play the most games of his career next season. With how he played last season and the pay raise he got in the offseason, he is set for a career year in Nashville and hopefully in the Vezina trophy conversation at the end of the season.

However, Saros is notorious for slow starts early in the season. If that happens, the Predators will be digging themselves out of a hole early and looking for backup goaltender David Rittich to save the day until Saros finds his footing.

A bonus will be getting Rittich comfortable early in training camp to set him up for success when his number is called as a starter. Nashville enjoyed a 1A/1B situation in goal for many years, and it would be nice to continue that tradition. It appears that Rittich has the necessary skills to make that a reality.

While it is hard to gauge how well a goaltender will do during a season by their performance in training camp, Saros and Rittich need to be on their games early and give the coaching staff the confidence they need at the goaltender position.

Goaltending got the Predators into the playoffs last season. Both Saros and Rittich will more than likely have to play their hearts out this season, keep the Predators in some games, and steal games when the team is struggling to find the back of the net.