The Predators may take a step back when it comes to a deep postseason run, but there will still be plenty of potential milestones to celebrate in 2023-2024.

The Nashville Predators aren't expected to make a deep playoff run in 2023-24 as they undertake a "reset", but there could be plenty of individual career milestones to celebrate next season.

Ryan O'Reilly: Closing in on 1000 career NHL games

Predators fans won't have to wait long to celebrate a major career milestone for new Nashville Predator Ryan O'Reilly. The 32-year-old has played 991 career NHL games in his eight year career. If O'Reilly starts the season healthy, he will hit the millennium mark on October 31 in Vancouver against the Canucks in the first game of a five game western road trip. 

O'Reilly played 427 games for the Colorado Avalanche, 327 games with the St. Louis Blues, 224 games with the Buffalo Sabres, and most recently played 13 games with the Maple Leafs before signing his four year deal with the Nashville Predators. 

Luke Schenn - Hoping to hit his 1000 career NHL games

If last season is any indication, Luke Schenn could hit his 1000 NHL Career milestone this season with the Predators. Schenn has played 933 games for seven different teams since entering the league in 2008-2009. Three or four seasons ago, it seemed like Schenn's career was winding down, but he played 66 games in 2021-2022 for the Vancouver Canucks. Last season he tied his career best points with the Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs playing a total of 70 games last season. 

Where Schenn will fit in with the defense remains to be seen, but if the gritty blue liner can stay healthy he could play his 1000th game in mid March. He is also closing in on 200 career points this season, needing just 9 points to hit that milestone. 

Ryan McDonagh - Nearly 900 career NHL games

Ryan McDonagh has amassed a lot of NHL games, but Nashville is only the third team he's played for. McDonagh played the majority of his 854 games in his eight seasons with the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old defenseman won two back to back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning after playing 267 games with the Bolts. 

McDonagh could reach his 900th career game in his second season as a Nashville Predator. It will take 46 games to hit that milestone. Last season the veteran played 71 games and was an important veteran voice in the locker room in March and April as other veterans like Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, and Ryan Johansen watched from the sidelines due to injury. 

Tyson Barrie - Aiming for 800 career NHL games and 500 career points

Barrie may have only played 24 games for the Predators after coming over from Edmonton in the Mattias Ekholm trade in late February, but his leadership at the end of the season earned him the respect of his teammates and Predators fans alike. Barrie is just 32 games away from his 800th career game and a mere ten points away from 500 career points. It only took the defenseman 17 games to rack up ten points for the Preds after the trade, so he could hit his points milestone before Thanksgiving.  He could hit that 500 points mark a little earlier if his defensive partner allows him to be in the offensive mix a bit more and if he gets a chance to quarterback the second power play unit this season. A healthy Barrie should celebrate 800 career games before Christmas.

Juuse Saros - 300th career game

It seems hard to believe that Juuse Saros is nearing just 300 career games. The 28-year-old goaltender has been a critical piece for the franchise since taking over the starting job from Pekka Rinne during John Hynes' tenure. Saros has currently played 286 career games and as one of the true workhorses of goaltending will easily hit 300 games before the end of the year. In his last two seasons, Saros has topped the league in games played by a goalie, and as long as he stays healthy he will continue to carry a heavy workload this season.

Younger Players, Important Milestones

It isn't just older veterans who could reach new milestones this season. A few younger players will need to prove themselves and earn the ice time needed to reach that next big number of games played.  Defensemen Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier will need 47 games and 56 games respectively to hit their next career benchmarks. It will be an interesting season for both players who are each in the final year of their contracts. Carrier only played 43 games last season due to injury, and while Fabbro logged 79 games, this is a "prove it" season for him. 

One player who is expected to get quality ice time is 24-year-old Cody Glass. Glass battled to make the roster out of training camp last September, but by the end of the season played a major role in the team's tenacious run down the stretch despite the loss of more than a handful of veteran players. This is Glass's year to show he is a top six — perhaps even top line — player, and he is 54 games away from the 200 career game mark. If he plays with the same skill level and passion fans saw at the end of 2022-23, fans will be ready to celebrate that milestone with Glass sometime around the All Star break. 

Last season's surprise star may have been Tommy Novak who was called up from Milwaukee in mid December. In his 51 games, Novak recorded 17 goals and 42 points. After such an impressive performance, it seems likely that Novak will be a part of the Predators roster out of camp, and the Minnesota native needs just 22 games to his that 100 career NHL game mark. 

Another milestone stat to keep an eye on with Novak? Career points. The 26-year-old currently has 50 career points, and while he likely won't see top line minutes, another strong offensive year anywhere in the lineup could mean he hits 100 points this season. After all, 43 of his 50 career points came last season in 51 games. It might be a tough ask to repeat his shooting percentage, but with the right line mates, a 50 point season for Novak isn't out of the question. 

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