Andrew Brunette's Message to a New Predators Team: "It's a Clean Slate"

The Nashville Predators' new head coach is challenging young players and veterans alike to earn their opportunities this season.

"The past is the past." 

That was Andrew Brunette's message to his new team as the Nashville Predators began training camp this week. It is a timely word that is hitting home for both veterans and rookies as the franchise prepares for a season with new management, a new bench boss in Brunette, and a new roster. The players all seem to understand the opportunity this new beginning provides. 

"I think everybody came in really excited," captain Roman Josi said after the first on ice practice of training camp Thursday. 

"Everybody's looking at this as a little bit of a fresh start. I think it's going to be a lot of fun."

"It doesn't matter if you are a rookie or a vet, you know you've got a new coach coming in," veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. 

He [Brunette] said it yesterday in the meeting — it's a clean slate for everybody. You've got a coach that's eyes wide open looking for players, looking for guys to make this team. It should be an unbelievable opportunity for not only a rookie or someone like me, a vet, to show this new staff how bad you want to win. How much you want to be a part of his Predators team."

It is a message that appears to be resonating with a team trying to find its new identity. The young players get an opportunity to make an impression on a new coach. and the veterans accept the challenge a "clean slate" puts before them. Brunette likes how the team responded to the challenge on day one, — even the veterans who could come in feeling confident about a future roster spot.

"I thought they worked as hard or harder than any of the young kids which is a complete tribute to the leadership of the group. I think they took the bull by the horns," Brunette said as the first day of practice wrapped up. 

What this team will look like on opening night may not be any clearer after the first day of on ice work at training camp, but Brunette is carefully evaluating the 63 man roster with fresh eyes.

"I don't want to have any preconceived notions of what they can't do. I want to see what they can do."

The Predators return to practice Friday morning at 9:00 am at Ford Ice Center Bellevue.