Predators fans have been waiting with bated breath for the calendar to finally switch to October. The month that kicks off the NHL regular season has arrived, and the Nashville Predators will start their 2024-25 campaign at home against their divisional rivals, the Dallas Stars, on Oct.10.
The Predators have wrapped up their training camp and preseason schedule, and the opening day roster looks clear. There’s a buzz this season, and excitement for hockey in Nashville is rising. Dare it be said, there’s a 2017 vibe in the air – a sense that the Predators can contend.
This could be a special year, with a special team. The aggressive moves made by General Manager Barry Trotz this summer have certainly fueled that hype, as he has added multiple star players. Fans and the media will be watching closely to see how the new additions fit in with the team and whether Trotz’s strategy pays off. But what about the players who don’t regularly grab the headlines?
Before the puck officially drops on Nashville’s regular season, here are some overlooked Predators poised for impressive or even breakout seasons.
Luke Evangelista
The young forward may not be completely overlooked, as he has shown a lot of promise early in his career. There’s every chance he will play a significant role in the Predators’ future. However, with the signings the team made during the summer, the spotlight may not shine as brightly on the 22-year-old, which could work to his advantage.
The 2022-23 season was the first time fans saw Evangelista in a Predators uniform. In 24 games, the native of Toronto, ON, registered seven goals and eight assists. There’s somewhat of a youth movement in the modern NHL. Younger players are making instant impacts on a regular basis. So, Evangelista’s 15 points in 24 games may not be otherworldly, but considering he only had 14 games in the AHL to his name, which was sandwiched between two seasons for the London Knights, he still impressively demonstrated that he has the ability to play on the biggest stage and already had maturity to his game.
What’s more impressive is Evangelista’s sophomore season. In 2023-24, still technically classified as a rookie, he more than doubled his production from the previous year, tallying 16 goals and adding 23 assists in 80 games, which was the sixth-highest goal total for the Predators.
Evangelista appears more comfortable each season and continues to show growth. He has proven that he can elevate his game each year.
With the addition of two more scorers, Head Coach Andrew Brunette has greater flexibility to move Evangelista up and down the lineup to better complement his skill set. Despite being a young player experiencing that learning curve, Evangelista played significant minutes as a top-six forward last year, which can be overwhelming. If he remains on the second line – which seems unlikely now that Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault have been added – Evangelista will undoubtedly benefit from more time and space, thanks to opposing teams focusing on the multiple game-changers that the Predators now have.
However, it is more likely that Evangelista will move down to the third line, drawing more favorable matchups. A 20-goal season is no easy feat in this league, but Evangelista could achieve that milestone.
The Predators have historically struggled with secondary scoring, but the player affectionately known as “Pretty Boy Vincenzo” could provide the firepower on the lines where Nashville needs it most.
Mark Jankowski
Some may be on the fence regarding Jankowski. Admittedly, it’s difficult to be overly confident when his spot on the roster could change at any moment. Despite being a former first-round pick, Jankowski has struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. Since the 2021-22 season, the 6-foot-4 forward has not gone a single year without spending time in the AHL.
However, when the Predators are short on players due to injury or a forward falls out of favor with the coaching staff, Jankowski is often one of the first call-ups, indicating he is literally a fringe player. It’s not that he lacks the skill set to play at the NHL level; rather, roster limitations often keep him from remaining on the team. Nonetheless, the Predators recently finalized their 21-player opening night roster, and Jankowski is one of the 13 forwards.
Last season, the 30-year-old had an impressive year in Milwaukee, recording 47 points in just 40 games for the Predators’ affiliate. He was the third-leading scorer for the Admirals, despite playing significantly fewer games than those in the top five.
In his limited ice time with the Predators, Jankowski managed seven goals and eight assists in 32 games. However, his value often extends beyond the scoresheet. Jankowski has demonstrated a solid defensive game, making him a reliable option for the coaching staff. After a big goal by the opposition, it’s common to see Brunette send out Jankowski, alongside Cole Smith and Michael McCarron, on the very next shift. This heavy, gritty style can be an excellent counter to slow the game down and stem the momentum the Predators may be fighting against.
Not to mention, among Predators players who took at least 100 faceoffs in the regular season last year, Jankowski had the fourth-best win percentage. He led the team in faceoff wins on the penalty kill, winning 60 percent of the draws while down a man.
Starting a shift with possession is undoubtedly preferable. Jankowski may not dazzle you with his stats, but he certainly makes the Predators better. If the coaches and management keep him in Nashville for most of the season, fans should pay attention to the value he brings.
Michael McCarron
Like Jankowski, McCarron is another former first-round pick whose career has taken a different path than anticipated. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old has somewhat revitalized his career in Music City. Last season, McCarron had a career year with the Predators, recording career highs in both goals (12) and points (22).
His big, intimidating, gritty style of play makes him a nightmare for opposing players, especially in the corners and on the forecheck. Last season, McCarron ranked seventh on the team in hits, despite averaging just under 13 minutes of ice time per game. Along with Smith and Jankowski, he provides an energy that can spark the rest of the team. McCarron plays a big role in the Predators’ “tough to play against” identity.
Last season marked the first time McCarron started and finished the year in Nashville. Aside from 2020-21, when he suited up for just six games, McCarron has split time between Nashville and Milwaukee every season. Having a stable routine undoubtedly helped his game last year. The 2024-25 season should see the 6-foot-6 forward play a full-time role in Nashville, and that stability will help him build on his career year.
The expectations for the Predators skyrocketed over the summer, thanks in large part to the signings made in July, paired with their accomplishments under Brunette in 2023-24. Yes, the Predators’ success will likely run through their top weapons. However, it is the role players like Evangelista, Jankowski, and McCarron who may put them over the top in an extremely competitive division.
The Predators’ top six, big-name forwards will rightly garner a lot of attention from fans and opposing players. But don’t overlook the depth guys; they could be key to reopening the Predators' contending window, and they may just surprise you.