Nashville Predators training camp is in full swing ahead of the 2024-25 season, complete with the highly anticipated preseason debut of offseason signing Steven Stamkos.
With practices and exhibition games set to resume this week, here are a few updates and storylines from the first week of camp:
Following Sunday's preseason split-squad doubleheader against the Florida Panthers, Nashville assigned five players to their respective junior teams: Kalan Lind (Red Deer/WHL), Miguel Marques (Lethbridge/WHL) and Joey Willis (Saginaw/OHL); defenseman Dylan MacKinnon (Moncton/QMJHL); and goaltender Jakub Milota (Cape Breton/QMJHL).
With the first round of cuts, the Predators' training camp roster is now down to 58 players – 32 forwards, 20 defensemen and six goaltenders. An updated roster can be found here.
The Predators lost their first two preseason games by scores of 3-2 and 6-2 in a doubleheader against the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
Several of Nashville's star players, including Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros, did not play in either game, allowing younger prospects to gain experience playing against NHL talent. The Panthers, meanwhile, split their stars up between the two games; Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett played in Game 1, while Aleksander Barkov and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky played in Game 2.
Related: Steven Stamkos Set Up in Classic Spot on Power Play in Nashville for One-Timer Goal
Despite the losses, Stamkos scored his first preseason goal as a member of the Predators on the power play during the second game. Two of Nashville's other offseason acquisitions, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, did not play in either game.
Marchessault did not make the trip to Florida, as he was in Quebec City Saturday night as his No. 18 jersey was being retired by the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL.
At the jersey retirement ceremony, Marchessault revealed the devastating personal news that his mother, Lesly, had passed away just 24 hours earlier.
“Mom, you were my first fan," Marchessault said during his remarks at the ceremony. "I could always count on your support.”
It is not yet known whether Marchessault will miss any more time at training camp as he and his family grieve during this difficult time, but hockey should be secondary as he finds the support and comfort he needs in the days ahead.
The Predators announced at the start of training camp that defenseman Spencer Stastney would be absent for personal reasons. No further information was provided, and there is no update as to when he might return.
Related: Predators' Spencer Stastney Absent from Training Camp for Personal Reasons
Stastney's name remains on the Predators' training camp roster, which was updated following Monday's roster cuts.
Forward Reid Schaefer, who left the final game of the Rookie Showcase with an apparent injury, has been skating on his own during training camp but has yet to participate in full team practices or appear in a preseason game for the Predators.
Forward Fedor Svechkov suffered an injury in the second period of the first game of Sunday's doubleheader and was removed from the game. The Panthers broadcast reported that he was unable to put any weight on the leg as he was helped off the ice, but the Predators have not provided an injury update. Svechkov is coming off his first full season with the Milwaukee Admirals in which he missed two months with a leg injury before returning for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Predators announced Monday that they have signed forward Hiroki Gojsic to a three-year, entry level contract. Originally selected by Nashville in the third round (94th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Gojsic finished eighth among all WHL rookies in points, tied for eighth in goals and ninth in assists last season with the Kelowna Rockets.
Related: Nashville Predators Sign 2024 Third-Round Pick Hiroki Gojsic
Gojsic played in his first NHL preseason game Sunday at Florida, and he finished tied for the second-most points in the rookie showcase tournament earlier this month with four (2g-2a) in three games.
Training camp resumes Tuesday with practice at Ford Ice Center Bellevue ahead of Wednesday's Gold Star Showcase exhibition game in Clarksville. The Predators' next preseason games will be a home-and-home with the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday at Amalie Arena and Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.
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