When asking who the faces of the Nashville Predators are right now, it's not that hard to give an answer; Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly... the list goes on.
But who will those names be when the current faces retire or go on to play for different teams? In this segment, I'll list the top 8 contenders.
1. Luke Evangelista
Luke Evangelista is one of the most promising young faces on the Predators, putting up 12 goals and 44 assists last season. "Vange" is much more than just a fan favorite, he's got serious potential. He's a high IQ two-way winger who uses deception to get to the net. He possesses a dangerous wrist shot, and all Preds fans know that he loves using the spin-o-rama every good once in a while.
While lacking truly elite speed, he still gets the job done. Evangelista's playing style is often described as a mix of Tyler Toffoli and Jesper Bratt, and I could easily see him being a first line winger in the future. Also, let's face it, he's got the looks to be the face of the team
2. Joakim Kemell
Kemell is a dangerous, goal scoring weapon of mass destruction. Already equipped with a NHL caliber wrister, he has the ability to beat goalies from areas where many others cannot. He's a pure sniper and can find his way into shooting range before opponents can react. He's got a great set of hands on him and combines skill with timing for the perfect shot. Kemell has a great acceleration and can be zooming by while the opponents are still picking up their speed.
He competes for pucks and isn't afraid to get dirty. He plays like an Alex DeBrincat with a Sebastian Aho toolset offensively. He will likely be a top line winger scoring around 50-70 points, but I could easily see him having a few 80+ point seasons.
3. Matthew Wood
Looking at Wood's 6'4" frame, you'd expect him to be a power forward, but he's actually more so a skilled scorer. He's got a heavy, accurate wrister and a deadly one timer that stops goalies dead in their tracks, and he isn't afraid to use them. Also, shockingly for a player of his size, he's got delicate hands and can easily beat defenders in tight situations. Scouts have also noted a growing playmaking ability, so he might not end up being just a one trick pony.
With him likely getting some time on the 2nd line, you can definitely expect more goals from him this season, and his skills will only grow. I see him as a Tage Thompson (who he says he models his game after) or Jason Robertson type player, or maybe even a modern-day Rick Nash. Under the right circumstances, he easily could be on the top line, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his face on the banner outside Bridgestone in a few years.
4. Yegor Surin
Surin is one of my favorite prospects for the toolkit he will bring to Nashville. He's an elite power forward who skates nearly every shift at full speed and is hard to get away from the puck. He's extremely physical, saying in an interview with Zach Gilchriest, “I like to make hits, but I can also play a smart game, and for me, it’s also not a problem if I fight”. He's also got some great hands on him and can easily make plays through traffic to deliver his deadly wrister.
He's very defensively engaged, and can play both center and wing. He probably has the highest offensive ceiling of any of our prospects. I see him developing into a Sam Bennett or Tom Wilson type player and wouldn't be shocked to see him earn a top line spot.
5. Wyatt Cullen
The Preds drafted Cullen at 10th overall in the 2026 NHL draft and brings a lot to the team. He's great at beating defenders one-on-one and is an incredible playmaker. He's got a great sense for the game, creating controlled entries instead of just dumping the puck willy-nilly, which our team needs DESPERATELY. He doesn't shy away from traffic and is great at battling for the puck. With his work ethic and playmaking skill, he's almost like Logan Cooley but on the wing, or a Clayton Keller. Yet again, I could see him being a first line playmaker.
6. Jack Ivankovic
I've got to show the goalies some love. Ivankovic is absolutely stellar at moving around the crease and has a great recovery time. He reads plays exceptionally and can find the puck even if there's a herd of players blocking his view. He can anticipate where the puck will wind up and get there before the puck even enters the crease. Ivankovic is very polished and uses efficient movements instead of scrambling to get the puck.
One of his greatest skills is handling the puck, making clean passes and dumping the puck, and can act as a third defenseman. At only 5'11, he can ironically be compared to Juuse Saros, using the same methods to prevent the puck from crossing the crease. I see him being our number one goaltender someday.
7. Brady Martin
As a farmer boy who stayed home from the draft to feed his animals, need I say more on why he is so fitting as a face of the team? Yes? Alright, here we go, then. Martin is a relentless power center, focusing primarily on physicality over playmaking, but that doesn't mean he can't make plays. He makes every shift matter and was recognized as one of the hardest working players in the OHL. He reads plays well and can support his blueliners, all the while being a constant motor, forcing enemy defenders into awkward positions.
Just like Surin, I'm going to compare his play style to Bennett. He might not become a top-line guy, but he's definitely got what it takes to be the heart and soul of the team, and will for sure become a fan favorite.
8. Tanner Molendyk
One of the best skating defensemen in his draft class, Molendyk possesses a skillset that's sure to bring a ton to the Predator's blueline. He can create gaps very well, and his transitional skillset makes him a killer on the forecheck, turning a defensive play into an offensive play before you can even register what's happening. His skating allows him to defend aggressively, closing space quickly.
He can drive plays that lead to scoring opportunities, and is very creative when it comes to doing so. He's very comparable to Devon Toews, and I could see him growing into a 50+ point scoring offensive defenseman on the top pair.
I could easily see all these players becoming the future faces of the franchise, and I can't wait to see where their careers take them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google