While the Nashville Predators starting lineup looks legit on paper and poised to make a deep run in 2024-25, there's still a couple depth spots up for grabs in the final days of training camp.
Prospects Zachary L'Heureux and Ozzy Wiesblatt have had outstanding training camps by most accounts, while Philip Tomasino has also looked sharp fresh off his new one-year deal he got right before training camp opened.
So the question remains on how Head Coach Andrew Brunette will fill out his bottom-six to open the 2024-25 regular season against the Dallas Stars. I think we can all confidently assume that the top-six will be Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, Gustav Nyquist, Steven Stamkos, Tommy Novak and Jonathan Marchessault.
L'Heureux and Wiesblatt making noise in Preds training camp
Back to the prospects, and let's start with L'Heureux. I realize how exciting it would be to see this wrecking ball make his NHL debut on October 10 at home against Dallas. And if coaches say he's absolutely earned it, then of course you reward him and give him a chance.
L'Heureux is actually penciled in as the third line starting winger for the Predators on DailyFaceoff's most recent lineup projection, leaving out Philip Tomasino and Juuso Parssinen. Very insteresting, indeed.
Here's where I give pause to this notion; L'Heureux has just one year of professional hockey experience with the Milwaukee Admirals. And there's no doubt that he shined in his rookie campaign and is on the fast track to the NHL. It's a matter of when and not if ZLH make his NHL debut in 2024-25.
I'm just a little weary of throwing him out there Game 1 of the regular season against the Dallas Stars. I'd rather the Predators roll into the regular season with their veterans in the bottom-six who can be trusted to handle the emotions of opening the season.
I can make little more sense out of ZLH being in over Parssinen for sure, but even over Tomasino gives me a little pause. Tomasino has a more polished offensive game, but in the bottom-six you're looking for more physicality which ZLH undoubtedly possesses. It brings up a worthy debate for Brunette to settle before the regular season starts.
And for veteran Mark Jankowski looks like the guy that would be taken out for ZLH, and Jankowski proved to be a consistent and trustworthy veteran depth player last season. I don't see the value in yanking him out of the starting lineup unless coaches are seeing something in practices that are giving them concern.
Wiesblatt has perhaps been the biggest surprise out of training camp. He plays with a riduclously high motor, similar to L'Heureux, and fits this system perfectly. He hits hard, pursues the puck relentlessly and figures to be a top contributor to the Admirals this season.
Wiesblatt has been the surprise of the preseason
To add onto that, Wiesblatt is delivering where it counts in preseason action against other NHL players. In the Predators' 6-4 win over the Hurricanes on Wednesday, Wiesblatt tallied a primary assist on Jeremy Lauzon's goal off a deflection.
If Wiesblatt continues to trend upward with the Admirals, I can also see him being one of the first to get a call-up opportunity if that need arises. Remember, Wiesblatt was acquired in the Egor Afanasyev trade back in June.
L'Heureux also saw action against the Hurricanes on Wednesday against the Hurricanes and stayed active besides not registering any points, but managing two shots on goal, two hits in 16:22 of ice time.
Let's also not forget that the defensive corps also has some fluidity to it. Will it be Dante Fabbro in there or will Marc Del Gaizo get the nod? We haven't seen Spencer Stastney in the preseason yet due to personal reasons that I'm unsure of. A lot to sort out for the bottom pairing, while Brady Skjei and Roman Josi look lock in to be the top pairing.
The Predators most definitely have some worthy call-up options to turn to this season, making them even more deep and formidable to make a deep run at the Central Division crown and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Young talent in your depth can oftentimes be the final piece to a Stanley Cup caliber squad.