After the Nashville Predators have acquired two key veterans this offseason to bolster their chances in the postseason, you can’t overlook Cody Glass as an x-factor to make this team more successful against the NHL’s top teams.
The additions of Ryan McDonagh and Nino Niederreiter, along with the re-signing of Filip Forsberg, has gotten all of the attention and rightfully so. These moves have made the Predators undeniably better than they were back in May, but to move the needle even more they need some young players to rise up as well.
Last season Glass was slotted to be in the Predators lineup, but was sent down to the Milwaukee Admirals for nearly the entire year. He only played in eight regular season games for the Predators, but did’t let that hold him back as he responded to the opportunity to grow his game.
Glass is primed for full-time role with Nashville Predators this season
In 66 games last season for the Admirals, Glass led the team in points with 62 and assists with 48. His assist total was also good for fifth in the AHL.
Surprisingly enough, only 15 of Glass’ 62 points came on the power play, which the Admirals ranked second in the AHL in success rate.
Glass’ potential impact to the Predators’ second power play unit is something to keep an eye on. If that unit struggles, then he should be considered to be in that role.
Assuming the Predators make the wise decision to keep the “Herd Line” together to open the season, Glass will likely center the fourth line. Who will be on that line with him is still up for debate and should be settled in training camp.
The possibility of Eeli Tolvanen playing alongside Glass is a starting point. Then you have an open slot that’s up for grabs, but the frontrunner is 27-year-old Zach Sanford, who was acquired over this offseason to a one-year contract.
Sanford adds another key defensive element to his game as he racked up 169 hits last season. That would make for a highly physical fourth line as Tolvanen put up a similar number of hits with 176. This is the fourth line I’d roll into the season with.
Going back to Glass, last season in Milwaukee was hugely beneficial to him. He got a chance to polish his game after having a turbulent ride to begin his NHL career in the Vegas Golden Knights system.
Check out this nifty goal from Glass as he steals the puck and beats the goaltender up top. Things you love to see from a player that is beginning to put it all together:
The first expectation for Glass is that he can stick around on the Predators lineup for the entire season. This is in many ways his “prove it ” year to stick around full-time. He will be an RFA next offseason.
Glass is fully aware that this upcoming season is a critical one for his future, especially if he’s going to remain with the Nashville Predators:
“I love being in Nashville, and the organization has been really good to me. With the city, the fans and everything in between, it’s been a lot of fun and I hope to do it for a full season next year.” -Cody Glass on playing in Nashville, per the Predators official website
Secondly, Glass obviously needs to help the Predators find some offensive depth. No one is expecting the fourth line to fully carry the load for the Predators, but it also can’t be non-existent and a liability.
There are options in Milwaukee to call up if the fourth line struggles, with Tommy Novak being next in line. Glass and Novak would already have some chemistry from playing together last season for the Admirals.
If Glass can break out as a key depth player for this team, then suddenly the Predators top to bottom have lineup that can do some damage. This is what you need to be successful among the league’s best teams.
Glass was originally traded for by the Predators in a three-team transaction that dealth Ryan Ellis to the Philadelphia Flyers. This deal can end up being a huge win for the front office if Glass rises up this season in a regular role.
As a rookie in 2019-20, Glass played in 39 games for the Golden Knights and put up 12 points in just over 13 minutes of average ice time. His second season his ice time increased, but his production stayed stagnant.
The Nashville Predators have fully invested in Glass’ development. I love his size, his raw offensive talent and his work ethic. It hasn’t been a smooth ride for him to this point, but he has taken it in stride as he enters the prime years of his hockey career.