Nashville Predators: The 5 Biggest Surprises from the 2022-23 Season
By Kyle Fleming
![Apr 10, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators celebrates win over Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports Apr 10, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators celebrates win over Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3dd730da0bf2e2a2361acbec1edb639f856a8376c946680f16f958c57640ee89.jpg)
#2 Level of Play from Milwaukee Regulars
With the significant number of injuries the Nashville Predators have been dealt with the second half of the season, a lot of players from the AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, have gotten the call to play in the NHL.
Players such as Thomas Novak, Egor Afanasyev, Luke Evangelista, Kevin Gravel, Mark Jankowski, Zach Sanford, Kiefer Sherwood, Philip Tomasino, and Spencer Stastney have all seen increased play for Nashville.
Out of all these players there have been a few that have really stuck out and are expected to be on the opening night roster next season.
Related Story. What's Ahead for the Predators in the 2023 Offseason?. light
Novak has 17 goals and 24 assists in 49 games played. Evangelista has not been in Nashville as long but still has six goals and seven assists in his 22 games in a Predators sweater.
The level of play from these AHL regulars combined with the goaltender tandem previously mentioned, is the main reason why the Nashville Predators were not eliminated from the playoffs sooner than they were.