What an arduous task it must have been for the Nashville Predators front office and coaching staff to cut down this competitive and deep roster down to 27 players in just around two weeks of training camp preparation.
The Nashville Predators have officially announced their 27-play roster, cut down originally from 55 players, for the Global Series which will take place October 7 and 8 from Prague, Czech Republic against the San Jose Sharks.
Right on cue, the NHL just forgot their own major international event in a tweet trying to countdown to the opening of the 2022-23 regular season, but just simply left out the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks:
IT'S FINALLY OCTOBER 🤭 pic.twitter.com/3MogFIkICu
— NHL (@NHL) October 1, 2022
Despite the social media gaffe, the Nashville Predators will indeed open the 2022-23 NHL regular season in just seven days against the San Jose Sharks. Let’s comb over the final roster, some players of note, and some omissions.
Glass makes the Nashville Predators Roster
It was highly expected that Cody Glass would seize the opportunity to make the Nashville Predators roster out of 2022 training camp, and he definitely earned it with his play in the preseason.
Although he didn’t stuff the scoresheet with a bunch of goals, the important thing was him looking comfortable, confident and fast in his skating. I thought it was all of the above for him in his preseason action and in training camp.
The forwards actually have a few interesting players who made the final cut, including Mark Jankowski. A versatile winger/center who has 272 games of NHL experience and is just three seasons removed from a 32-point season back in 2018-19. He is signed to a one-year, $750K deal.
Michael McCarron has found his place here with the Nashville Predators, clearly. He fits the mold of this team perfectly. He hits hard, a big body, and can occasionally sprinkle in a little offense. Not a major shock to the system that he made the roster.
Kiefer Sherwood, similar to Jankowski, isn’t a young prospect anymore and is looking to stick somewhere more long-term on a one-year deal at $750K. He stood out to coaches enough in training camp to earn himself a spot heading over to Prague.
Cole Smith also is a bit of a surprise to once again making the Predators roster after a solid camp. He logged 16:13 of ice time with three shots on goal and five hits in Friday’s 7-1 win over Tampa before coaches had to make the final roster cuts.
There was maybe one spot up for grabs from the defensemen group outside of the locks. Jordan Gross ends up being the lone surprise of this group.
Gross has never been able to stick on the NHL level despite now being 27 years old. He is coming off an outstanding AHL season with the Colorado Eagles putting up 65 points in just 61 games, prompting the Predators to sign him over the offseason.
The Nashville Predators will take three goaltenders to the Global Series: Juuse Saros, Kevin Lankinen, and Connor Ingram.
Most Notable Players to Make the Cut
- Jordan Gross, D
- Kiefer Sherwood, RW/C
- Mark Jankowski, C
- Cole Smith, LW
Players who didn’t make the cut
All eyes were rightfully on Egor Afanasyev coming out of rookie camp and his showing at the Prospect Showcase in Raleigh. There was an outside chance he would surge his way into a roster spot, but it looks like coaches think he needs more time on the AHL level.
This doesn’t mean that Afanasyev isn’t right on the cusp of getting a call-up, because he definitely is. I’m sure coaches discussed this extensively, but ultimately, it’s important that a player like Afanasyev continues to get elevated ice time to progress his game even more. He’ll get there eventually.
Another player that is actually the biggest surprise to miss the final roster out of training camp is Tommy Novak. A player that looked really good in over 20 games of NHL action with the Nashville Predators last season but will initially report to the Milwaukee Admirals this season.
Novak is an instant call-up throughout the season when and if injuries occur, which we know they will. So we haven’t seen the last of Novak in the NHL.
Markus Nurmi really caught the eye and made a name for himself during rookie camp. Watch him for him to make a major impact on the Admirals this season, but obviously he’s not quite ready for the NHL level just yet.
Finally, we have Juuso Parssinen. Another quickly rising prospect that some thought could push his way into a roster spot out of camp.
As exciting as that would be, I’m on board with having Parssinen start with the Admirals and be one of their main core players this season. No reason to rush him when this roster already has a ton of quality depth to employ at the start of 2022-23.
Although there is a lot to like about so many defensive prospects for the Predators, I didn’t think any of them would make the final roster. Spencer Stastney is one of the most polished defensive prospects in the pool, and Marc Del Gaizo has a bright NHL future as well. Keep tabs on them down in Milwaukee this season.
Goalies coming out of Nashville Predators training camp who will report to the Admirals will be Devin Cooley, Tomas Vomacka, and Yaroslav Askarov.
Most Notable Players to Miss the Cut
- Egor Afanasyev, LW
- Juuso Parssinen, C
- Tommy Novak, C/W
Generally speaking, the roster coming out of training camp features a lot of players we all knew would almost certainly make the final cut. On paper, this team should win a lot of games.
The Nashville Predators have one more exhibition game against SC Bern of the Swiss League before heading over to Prague for the Global Series two-game matchup with the San Jose Sharks.