Predlines
Fansided

Power Ranking the remaining Nashville Predators Training Camp Roster Bubble players

The Predators have cut down to 28 players with only their preseason finale on October 4 remaining before the regular season begins.
ByChad Minton|
Dec 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) and defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) and defenseman Brady Skjei (76) celebrate during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) and defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) and defenseman Brady Skjei (76) celebrate during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
6 of 6
Adam Wilsby
Vancouver Canucks v Nashville Predators | Johnnie Izquierdo/GettyImages

1. Adam Wilsby (4th-Rd Pick by Nashville Predators in 2020, 23 games in 2024-25)

I should probably just have the guts to make Wilsby a mortal lock, but I just can't do that. I can give it 90 percent or even 95 percent chance he makes the cuts, but not 100 percent lock. However, Hague being out really did pave the way for Wilsby to start on opening night and even possibly be Roman Josi's top pairing partner.

Hague was slotted to be the top pairing partner, but with his injury sidelining him for four to six weeks, Wilsby has stood out as a likely replacement. And he deserves that distinction after what he showed in 20-plus NHL games last season before having his season grinded to a hault due to injury. He looked great and confident beyond his years before that.

I already including Blankenburg earlier as a starter on this top-5 power ranking of bubble players, and I'm making Wilsby my most likely top spot bubble player to claim a starting role. If that comes true, then here is my starting six and two scratches on defense:

Wilsby/Josi

Skjei/Perbix

Englund/Blankenburg

Defense Scratches: Barron, Hague

What makes this so difficult as you play the numbers game and see who is waivers eligible, if this scenario comes true then you have to think about who is waivers eligible. Cole Smith definitely would be, so I can't see them waiving him.

Some prospects I didn't mention in my top-5 who also have great chances of making the opening night lineup are Ozzy Wiesblatt, Reid Schaefer, Zachary L'Heureux, Spencer Stastney and Tanner Molendyk.

Molendyk, Schaefer and L'Heureux are waivers exempt. However, Stastney and Wiesblatt are not. So that is something to consider as well for the Predators on their final roster cuts. Sometimes you have to lose players to waivers that you don't want to lose.

Going into this I felt this was the most interesting and unsettles training camp roster I can remember for the Predators. And even down to 28 players there is a lot of uncertainty.

Home/Prospects