Nashville Predators News

Bunting is in the first year of a three-year deal that carries a $4.5M AAV cap-hit. He gets reunited with his former GM Kyle Dubas, who moved from Toronto to Pittsburgh in the offseason. Bunting picked up 13 goals and 23 assists (36 points) in 60 games with the Hurricanes this season. He could be a candidate to skate with Sidney Crosby, now that Guentzel is out of town, which would be a huge fantasy boost for the 28-year-old winger.

Saros will be right back between the pipes for the Predators on Thursday after seeing his personal six-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday. Saros allowed four goals on 30 shots as the Predators fell to the Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. After a shaky start to the season, Saros' recent run of form has seen his record improve to 26-21-3 on the year to go along with a respectable .907 SV%. He's got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Thursday as the Predators are -165 favourites over the Sabres.

Bunting is in the first year of a three-year contract and has a 10-team no-trade list but will still be held out of Carolina's lineup on Thursday for trade-related reasons. The 28-year-old scrappy left-winger has enjoyed a mediocre first season in Carolina, with 13 goals, 36 points, 113 SOG, 55 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 60 games played.

The Colorado Avalanche signed Hanzel to an entry-level contract on Thursday morning before dealing him to the Predators in the afternoon. Hanzel was the sixth-round pick of the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. As a 21-year-old, Hanzel has 50 points (13G / 37A) in 58 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) this season.

Oesterle made his first appearance in the Flames lineup in nearly two months earlier this week, playing 14:07 time-on-ice and recording two hits. Oesterle has no goals and two assists in 22 games this season.

Chrona will return to the crease for the second time in the last four games. The 23-year-old netminder was outstanding in his last outing, albeit a 3-2 losing effort in a shootout, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) against the Dallas Stars. That said, the Sharks are sizeable +229 home underdogs against a New York Islanders club riding a four-game winning streak.

Hanzel was the sixth-round pick of the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. As a 21-year-old, Hanzel has 50 points (13G / 37A) in 58 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) this season.

Pavel was a late call-up for the Avalanche on Wednesday due to several trades opening up temporary roster spots and played 5:13 time-on-ice in a 7-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Pavel is an undrafted forward out of the Czech Republic who made his NHL debut with the Avalanche earlier this season. Pavel has seven points (3G / 4A) in 48 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Pavel is an undrafted forward out of the Czech Republic who made his NHL debut with the Avalanche earlier this season. He is slated to play his second career game on Wednesday. Pavel has seven points (3G / 4A) in 48 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

After a crushing 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on February 15th, the red-hot Predators have rolled off eight straight wins and will turn to Saros between the pipes on Tuesday night. Saros has allowed six total goals across his last five games and saved 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in an impressive 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Predators are significant -208 home favourites against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Friedman will be the odd man out of the lineup on Tuesday as Carson Soucy (hand) makes his return to the lineup. Friedman played on Sunday, his first contest in three weeks, recording a -1 plus/minus, one shot, and one hit in 12:54 time-on-ice.

Lucchini and Vinni Lettieri were placed on waivers by Minnesota on Tuesday. Lucchini was a regular in the Minnesota lineup for the last six weeks but was limited to only two points (1G / 1A) in 17 games.

Evangelista's status was initially up in the air for Tuesday, but he has been deemed fit to play. The 22-year-old Evangelista has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season and has recently been playing on a line with Mark Jankowski and Tommy Novak.

After a crushing 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on February 15th, the red-hot Predators have rolled off eight straight wins and will likely turn to Saros between the pipes on Tuesday night. Saros has allowed six total goals across his last five games and saved 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in an impressive 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The Predators are significant -208 home favourites against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Oesterle will make his first appearance since January 25th as Dennis Gilbert draws out of the lineup. Oesterle has no goals and two assists in 21 games this season.

Annunen's strong play has earned him a larger workload lately, as he will start for the third time in the last seven games. The 23-year-old Annunen will be facing a low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks club that he made 24 saves against less than a week ago for his first career shutout. The Avalanche are enormous -464 home favourites against the Blackhawks on Monday night.

Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch on Monday night, allowing Oesterle to play his first game since January 25th. In 21 games with the Flames this season, Oesterle has two points (0G / 2A), 20 hits, and 32 blocks.

Annunen's strong play has earned him a larger workload lately, as he will likely start for the third time in the last seven games. The 23-year-old Annunen will be facing a low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks club that he made 24 saves against less than a week ago for his first career shutout. The Avalanche are enormous -464 home favourites against the Blackhawks on Monday night.