Nashville Predators News

Kemell was the 17th overall pick of the Predators in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Finnish forward played two games for the Predators this season but has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).

Saros served as the backup to Justus Annunen for the first time in Nashville's most recent game, a 7-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. After an uncharacteristically weak 2024-25 season, the 30-year-old Saros is off to an excellent start in 2025-26, showcasing a 1.64 GAA and .947 SV% in three games (2-0-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that has outscored their opposition 13-7 during a three-game winning streak.

Saros served as the backup to Justus Annunen for the first time in Nashville's most recent game, a 7-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. After an uncharacteristically weak 2024-25 season, the 30-year-old Saros is off to an excellent start in 2025-26, showcasing a 1.64 GAA and .947 SV% in three games (2-0-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that has outscored their opposition 13-7 during a three-game winning streak.

Wiesblatt will draw into the lineup for the first time this season in favour of Joakim Kemell, who is a healthy scratch. A former first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Wiesblatt made his NHL debut last season, registering zero goals and one assist in five games for the Predators.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a day after a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, Nashville will turn to Annunen for his first start of the season. The 25-year-old Annunen posted a 3.17 GAA and .888 SV% in 23 appearances with the Predators (9-11-1) last season after being acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators enter the action on Tuesday as +156 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team off to a 1-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a day after a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, Nashville will turn to Annunen for his first start of the season. The 25-year-old Annunen posted a 3.17 GAA and .888 SV% in 23 appearances with the Predators (9-11-1) last season after being acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators enter the action on Tuesday as +156 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team off to a 1-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season.

For the first time in his young NHL career, Martin will be a healthy scratch, allowing Joakim Kemell to enter the lineup on Monday against the Ottawa Senators. The 18-year-old Martin played his second career game and tallied his first point, an assist, in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth.

The Predators are off to a 1-1-0 start to the 2025-26 season and will turn to Saros between the pipes for the third consecutive time when they face off against the Ottawa Senators on Monday afternoon. The 30-year-old Saros is coming off the worst season of his career, posting a 2.98 GAA and .895 SV% in 58 games (20-31-6), but has had a better start this season, sporting a 1.96 GAA and .935 SV%. The Predators enter Monday's contest as +150 road underdogs against the Senators.

Wood was a healthy scratch for the Predators' first game of the season and will likely get some playing time in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. The 20-year-old forward scored one point (0G / 1A) in his first six NHL games last season.

Prolonged contract negotiations that didn't warrant a new contract for Evangelista until last week kept him out of the lineup in Nashville's season-opener on Thursday, but he will suit up on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The 23-year-old Evangelista had 32 points (10G / 22A) in 68 games last season.

Wiesblatt made his NHL debut with Nashville last season, recording one assist in five games, and hopes to be a more regular NHLer in the 2025-26 season. He took warmups with the team on Thursday but will not be on the opening night roster. The 23-year-old forward was San Jose's 31st-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The Predators will of course turn to their franchise netminder between the pipes when they host the Blue Jackets in their season opener on Thursday. Saros will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old finished the campaign with a 20-31-6 record to go along with an .895 SV% and 2.98 GAA. Luckily for Saros, he draws a favourable matchup on opening night, as the Predators enter action at -120 on the money line.

Wiesblatt made his NHL debut with Nashville last season, recording one assist in five games, and hopes to be a more regular NHLer in the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old forward was San Jose's 31st-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

After one season in Carolina, 27-year-old Tyson Jost will head to Nashville after being claimed off waivers from Carolina on Wednesday. Jost was once a 10th overall pick (2016) and has appeared with four different organizations across his nine-year NHL career. In 39 appearances with Carolina in 2024-25, he had four goals, nine points and 33 PIMs.

Wood was hoping to make Nashville's opening night roster out of training camp, but is now out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old forward was Nashville's 2023 1st round pick (15th overall) and is regarded as one of their top prospects after putting up 17 goals and 39 points in 39 games with the University of Minnesota (NCAA) last season.