{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Nashville Predators might be in shambles and struggling greatly this season, but the future is bright with some of their prospects expected to take big roles in the future." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 2025 World Junior Championship is approaching fast and a couple of Predators prospects should easily be slotted in on Team Canada. On defense, Tanner Molendyk, and at forward, Matthew Wood." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Molendyk will arguably be the top defenseman for Team Canada and should be on the top pairing. The 19-year-old nearly made the Predators out of training camp, but was ultimately sent back to junior where he is putting up big numbers again and dominating." } }, { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Z9LFfCtC.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Nashville Predators defensive prospect Tanner Molendyk speaks to the media on Day 2 of Rookie Camp.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Z9LFfCtC-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Z9LFfCtC.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Z9LFfCtC.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-SzU5qclp.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 238172, "filesize": 4287104, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-PatapPNd.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 349298, "filesize": 6287380, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-zZYdv69K.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 893613, "filesize": 16085048, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-I693Jb3B.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113652, "filesize": 2045753 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-8vSdzUEk.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 1080, "width": 1920, "label": "1080p", "bitrate": 2097866, "filesize": 37761600, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-7wk91FuM.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 383585, "filesize": 6904530, "framerate": 24 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z9LFfCtC-IqpdWqFS.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 605759, "filesize": 10903671, "framerate": 24 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Molendyk plays for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL and after scoring 10 goals and 56 points in 50 games last season, has three goals and 13 points in 13 games. He skates very well and it may be his best attribute that will give him an advantage over the competition in the tournament and the rest of his career. The talented defenseman can also defend very well off the rush and is a strong playmaker." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nashville should already know what they have with their 24th overall pick from the 2023 draft, but he may be fast-tracked to the NHL as soon as next season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "As for Wood, he is still unsigned by the Predators and playing at the University of Minnesota this season. He has four goals and 17 points in 13 games which is an improvement over his 16 goals and 28 points in 35 games for the University of Connecticut last season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Wood is projected to play on the wing on either the second or third line, but could realistically be slotted in anywhere in the top-9 for Team Canada at the World Juniors this year. He is a right-shot left winger, so he has versatility on the wings. Unfortunately for the Predators, he is not a center as they are in desperate need of that." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Molendyk should play a larger role overall than Wood, but it is encouraging to see two Predators prospects likely to make such a competitive team like the one Canada puts together at the World Junior Championship every year. There is a bright future even if right now looks bleak for Nashville." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Visit The Hockey News Nashville Predators team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, podcasts and more." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Recent Predators News", "level": 3 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Predators: Andrew Brunette Projected to Be Next Head Coach Fired" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nashville Predators: 2 Disastrous Offensive Stats Through 20 Games" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Predators: Did the 18-Game Point Streak in 2023-24 Hurt More Than It Helped?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Podcast: Nashville Predators are Exploring the Trade Market ... for a Defenseman?" } } ] }

2 Predators Prospects Projected to Represent Canada at World Juniors