Nashville Predators: Ranking the Prospects Who are Next in Line for NHL

It’s no secret that the Nashville Predators have seen a steady rise in their prospect pool over the last few seasons, and some of those past prospects are now making a difference on the NHL level.

The Predators’ current roster situation doesn’t shape up to need more call-ups this season, with the exception of any unforeseen rash of injuries occuring. The team is geling with a nice blend of youth and veterans as the Predators sit in second place in the Western Conference coming out of the All Star break.

Looking ahead, the Predators have plenty more intriguing and talented prospects who have high probabilities of eventually being NHL starters. But which ones are the closest to making that jump if by next season?

It’s never too soon to start planning ahead, so let’s see which prospects are next in line to claim an NHL starting role for the Nashville Predators in the coming seasons.

Luke Evangelista, London Knights, OHL

You might be asking yourself how could a player that’s averaging more than goal per game in his current season be so far back on this list? While that’s a fair question to ask, it’s mainly due to Evangelista likely needing some extensive time in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals before making that difficult jump to the NHL.

Evangelista is taking the OHL by storm right now for the London Knights with 32 goals and 32 assists in 64 games. Just incredible, out of this world type of numbers from the 19-year-old, about to be 20, and the OHL’s Player of the Week as recognized by the league’s social media page:

Finding elite scorers that can be homegrown has always eluded this organization. Even someone like Filip Forsberg wasn’t homegrown and was acquired via trade, and highway robbery at that.

Evangelista’s path to the NHL looks to have at least one year left as the organization will want to see how he transitions to a more physical NHL. He’s a little undersized at 5’11” and 165 pounds, but he makes up for it wit his raw offensive skills.

If the team really sees fit, it’s possible he could be called up at some point in 2022-23, but preferably I’d like for him to get at least one full season of AHL experience.

4. Zachary L’Heureux, Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL

Is there a current prospect who fits the current identity of this Nashville Predators team than Zachary L’Heureux does? He’s a relentless forechecker, he’s extremely physical and plays with an attitiude that many of your current Predators players play with.

L’Heureux does have to learn to keep his emotions in check, and that can also be said about some current Predators players as well. That can all come in the development process, but you can’t teach the fiery passion that L’Heureux plays with, and it will serve him well once he does get that NHL opportunity.

If the Predators were struggling and in the midst of a rebuild type of season like many predicted, than perhaps he would’ve already gotten his NHL call-up. But with the Predators hanging around near the top of the Western Conference, their starting lineup is pretty set.

L’Heureux is having a very productive season with Halifax, posting 38 points in just 23 games. He’s also got 32 penalty minutes, which is a high rate for those 23 games played.

I’m not worried too much about L’Heureux’s knack for landing in the penalty box. He’ll learn to better channel that energy and avoid the bad penalties, and suspensions, as he grows.

L’Heureux comes in at No.4 on my list as a likely call-up at some point next season, or even out of traning camp if the lineup goes through a decent amount of turnover over the offseason. I’m thinking about Nick Cousins’ possible vacated spot if he’s not re-signed.

2. Jeremy Davies, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL

Another established prospect that’s already seen his NHL debut, but has had trouble sticking around on the NHL level. Jeremy Davies appeared in 16 games for the Predators in the shortened 56-game season where taxi squads and the shuffling of the lineup was rampant.

In those 16 games, Davies did some good things that showed he’s ready for a third pairing role on a regular basis. He averaged over 15 minutes of ice, registered 11 hits and seven blocks while tallying an assist. Additionally, he added 19 shots on goal, so he was involved in the offense despite being a newcomer to the team.

Davies has a really strong probability of replacing either Mark Borowiecki or Matt Benning on the third pairing next season.

Both Benning and Borowiecki are due to be UFAs this offseason, and it doesn’t make sense to re-sign both of them when you have some up and coming prospects ready to get an chance, with Davies leading the way.

For the Admirals this season, Davies has 16 points in 38 games, but is also finding the penalty box regularly with 33 penalty minutes. It’s not that he’s failing to register shots on goal, but is dismal 1.5 shooting percentage has his goal production way down.

Davies originally came to the Predators organization in 2019 in the P.K. Subban trade. I’m sure the front office still has high hopes that Davies turns into a regular starter very soon for the Predators defeneisve core.

1. Connor Ingram, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL

The no-brainer choice for the top spot in the Next in Line prospect list for the Predators is Connor Ingram. Quite frankly, he could be Juuse Saros’ fulltime backup right now and it wouldn’t give me any reservations about it.

Ingram is once again lighting up the AHL after getting off to a slow start, along with the entire Milwaukee Admirals team. Now the team is playing up to the high level many expected, and Ingram is driving the train.

With five shutouts on the season, Ingram is giving the Predators front office and coaches every reason to have confidence in him to be the backup to Saros going into 2022-23.

Check out this sequence of saves Ingram made recently in a 42-save win for the Admirals, courtesy of the Milwaukee Admirals Youtube channel:

Veteran David Rittich, who was signed over the offseason by the Predators to a one-year deal, is the current backup to Saros. He’s rarely getting any starts, so it’s a better position for Ingram to be getting regular action with Milwaukee than being in the NHL and riding the bench.

Ingram did perform commdendably in his first two NHL games earlier this seaosn while Rittich was out due to Covid-19 protocols. Ingram made 58 saves on 64 shots faced, good for cracking the 90 percent plateau. Not bad for your first two NHL games.

The Predators franchise have always had trouble developing elite scorers, but they should count their blessings for always having the goaltender box checked off. Ingram is another addition to that.

Honorable Mention:

There were plenty of other prospects that I thought about putting into the list that are also getting close. David Farrance is a highly-touted offensively skilled defenseman that everyone wants to see on the Predators.

Farrance has just 13 points in 36 games for the Admirals this season. Way below the scoring level you’d like to see if you think he’s ready for the NHL. He’s only 22-years-old and should eventually get another NHL call-up assuming the Predators don’t trade away any prospects ahead of the March 21 trade deadline.

Iaroslav Askarov was left off the top-five list because Ingram is ahead of him, simply put. And Askarov is playing overseas in Russia, so the path to the NHL is a little more complicated.

The expected next step for Askarov is taking over in Milwaukee once his contract is up in the KHL. He’s just not getting much playing time or support in his development over there, so let’s get him to the states as soon as we can.

Finally, Cody Glass comes in as an honorable mention, and would be No.6 if the list was extended. His point production is great in Millwaukee with 29 points, 24 of those assists, and he’ll fully be in the mix to reclaim a starting spot in training camp next season.

Glass is due to become an RFA this upcoming offseason, and I’d expect the Predators to easily re-sign if they want him back for a modest price.