Nashville will be relying heavily on some young players to take big steps forward as the team enters a roster reset. Here are three Gen Z players who could be important pieces for the Preds in the future.
Nashville will be relying heavily on some young players to take big steps forward as the team enters a roster reset. Here are three Gen Z players who could be important pieces for the Preds in the future.
There are plenty of Predators players who could move this team forward in 2023-24. Nashville will have to balance developing young talent and quality veteran presence on a new looking roster. There are players that could affect the trajectory of this team moving forward in each age group - the prospects Nashville might see later in the season, the young guns the team is developing, the 27-33 year old players who may have to carry the load, and the wisened veterans.
After injuries and a sell off at the trade deadline depleted Nashville's veterans, a group of young 21-26 year olds carried the team at the end of last season. In 2023-24 three of those players could fill a variety of roles and gain valuable experience earning their place in the lineup and the Predators' future.
Cody Glass
Glass has the most NHL experience of these three players with 146 total NHL games. Last offseason, his goal was to make the roster out of training camp. This is Glass's year to prove he can be a future core piece for the Predators. There are several things Glass needs to succeed next season, and the team is counting on him to continue moving forward. If he can pick up in training camp where he left off at the end of last season, Glass will be a top six threat in Nashville.
Juuso Pärssinen
Yaroslav Askarov
The Predators re-signed Kevin Lankinen to a one year deal to back up Juuse Saros, but Yaroslav Askarov is still a player to follow this season. Nashville isn't likely to see a lot of the 21 year old goaltending phenom, but Askarov will carry much of the workload in Milwaukee in an important year for his development.
Askarov significantly increased his time between the pipes in 2022-2023, and this year the focus will be on honing his skills and deciding what of his aggressive game play to modify before he becomes a regular goaltender in gold. Askarov is the heir apparent in net for the Preds. This season in Milwaukee with new goaltending partner Troy Grosenick as a mentor may determine how soon he becomes a backup for Juuse Saros.
A trio of Gen Z defensemen make the short list for players needing a big season. Dante Fabbro, Jeremy Lauzon, and Jake Livingstone will battle for ice time on a blue line bolstered by veterans Tyson Barrie and Luke Schenn. Fabbro is on a one year deal, Lauzon needs to show he is a reliable third pair player, and Livingstone is out to prove he is ready for regular NHL minutes.
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