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Top 3 Storylines Heading into Nashville Predators Preseason Action

By Chad Minton

Feb 24, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Philip Tomasino (26) celebrates after a goal during the first period against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Philip Tomasino (26) celebrates after a goal during the first period against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will a prospect make the team out of training camp?

Although the Nashville Predators prospect pool is buzzing with positive energy, especially after the Prospect Showcase, I still think the NHL roster is close to being complete.

Since the Nashville Predators front office made it very clear with their offseason strategy that they’re focused on winning now and not taking the long road, there’s just not a lot of room for roster competition.

However, there is a couple players who have outside chances of cracking into a fourth line role to open the regular season. The first one is Egor Afanasyev, who just had a great performance at the showcase by scoring three goals and very clearly looking like the leader of that squad.

Afanasyev is a prospect with a high ceiling and will inevitably get his NHL opportunity very soon. Getting it right out of training camp to open the 2022-23 season will take a huge showing in the preseason. I’m talking like a few goals, dominant play on the ice and looking very comfortable against NHL veterans.

Tommy Novak appeared in 27 games last season so is no longer considered a rookie, but he will also be among the younger players competing for a starting role out of training camp. Look for him to get plenty of reps in the preseason.

Then you have Juuso Pärssinen who shouldn’t be slept on, either. I don’t think he makes the team out of training camp, but a call-up at some point this season isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Pärssinen does however need plenty of ice time to develop his game in the AHL, so giving him a diminished role on the Predators wouldn’t be very beneficial to him.

light. More. Zach Sanford is the Offseason Addition No One is Talking About

If you force me to put money on one prospect who plays his way into the opening night lineup, give me Afanasyev, followed closely by Pärssinen.

All in all, there shouldn’t be too much drama in terms of younger players taking away a spot from a veteran in training camp. The Nashville Predators have a promising roster on paper to be a playoff team once again in 2022-23, while the prospect pool continues to strengthen for seasons past this year.

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