The Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] offseason is slowly, but surely, coming to end in. In a month and a half, the Predators will be returning to the ice for training camp, which is held from mid-September to early October. Around the same time, Nashville will open up the preseason against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21 at Bridgestone Arena. Lastly, in about two months, the Predators open up their 2025-26 season against the Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-announce-schedule-for-2025-26-regular-season] at home. With all that being said, it's never too early to project what the Predators' lines will look like come opening night. FORWARDS First line LW - Filip Forsberg C -Ryan O'Reilly RW - Jonathan Marchessault Oct 10, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal with center Jonathan Marchessault (81) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a1f0d24c-0223-43cc-8a09-b129dafe8f0d.jpeg] Oct 10, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal with center Jonathan Marchessault (81) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Forsberg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/here-s-which-nashville-predators-players-we-will-could-see-at-2026-winter-olympics] and O'Reilly [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/3-great-predators-performances-in-2024-25] have a nice flow, and that needs to be kept together. There should also be a focus on spreading the offense a little bit more up and down the line. Forsberg/Stamkos/Marchessault was a good line last year, but it was just too overloaded. O'Reilly proved that he's a good option at center and can work well with a lot of players. Some pressure can be taken off Forsberg as well. Also, considering how much success O'Reilly had last season being used all over the lineup, he could get Marchessault's [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/column-nashville-predators-need-speed-scoring-to-win-can-no-longer-rely-on-just-size-physicality]scoring going again as just someone dependable feeding him the puck. Second line LW - Steven Stamkos/ Fyodor Svechkov C - Fyodor Svechkov/Steven Stamkos RW - Luke Evangelista Nov 30, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) celebrates his goal with center Steven Stamkos (91) during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7b8edba9-d2b2-4500-88f3-0acef71444ba.jpeg] Nov 30, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) celebrates his goal with center Steven Stamkos (91) during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images I left this line a little more open ended for a few reasons. Stamkos [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/5-bold-predictions-for-nashville-predators-2025-26-season] on the wing could trigger his scoring a bit more, like we saw prior to Nashville. However, it's about having the right person giving him the puck and being supported in those situations. I think it's a good idea to start Svechkov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/could-jack-roslovic-be-a-good-fit-for-the-predators] in that second-line center position and see how well he'll play with Stamkos, being able to get him the puck and set up scoring chances. Svechkov has earned the opportunity to play on this team full time, and having a veteran at wing could be good. However, if it doesn't work out, switching Stamkos to center or moving O'Reilly back down might be the move. Evangelista [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/5-bold-predictions-for-nashville-predators-2025-26-season] is in the perfect spot. If there is all this predicted movement between Stamkos and Svechkov, it may be better to just keep Evangelista on his strong side, no matter what. For sure a top-six forward, but not on the top line just yet. Now, this is a prime example of why the Predators should've shopped for a center in free agency. They would've had someone solid and dependable at center to help Stamkos refind his scoring and get Evangelista going. Svechkov is still a good option, but it's more of trying something out rather than knowing you're going to get a solid center. Third line LW - Cole Smith/Matthew Wood (up from fourth line) C - Erik Haula RW - Michael Bunting Apr 16, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d84c92a9-fd38-414c-8c4f-7ac7274a68ac.jpeg] Apr 16, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images Haula [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/here-s-which-nashville-predators-players-we-will-could-see-at-2026-winter-olympics] centering the second line makes more sense, but again, the goal should be spreading out the scoring and not just overloading the top six. Having Haula on this line could elevate both Bunting and Smith's games, as they would show up more on the scoresheet and spend less time in the penalty box. Both logged over 60 minutes in penalties last season. Just cause Smith has more experience, I'm putting him on the third line right now, but switching him out for Matthew Wood, on his weak side, could be a better move depending on how the season goes. We only got to see Wood play six games last year, scoring a point. Getting a larger sample size to start the season would be huge to decide if he can play on a higher line. Bunting has the potential to score more if he's surrounded by the right players. He had 38 points last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Predators, and even had 60+ during the 2021-22 season. Hopefully, Haula can tap into that. Overall, I think the goal for this group would be Haula to try to get these two scoring a bit more. Fourth line LW - Zach L’Heureux/Michael McCarron C - Brady Martin/Michael McCarron RW - Matthew Wood/Cole Smith (down from third line) Gold team forward Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b7d3ba2a-2ff8-4ba6-a056-1675ec2a8b95.jpeg] Gold team forward Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images There are a lot of moving parts here, but it's for good reason, mainly to spark scoring in the bottom six. McCarron and L’Heureux were two of the biggest penalty perpetrators of that last season. However, one of the benefits here is that this could be the Predators' "big" line when it comes to general size. McCarron is 6-feet-6-inches, Wood (if he sticks on the line) is 6-feet-4-inches, and Martin is 6-feet. L’Heureux is a bit shorter, but as proven by his logged penalty minutes, he can hold his own. I think Martin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/3-things-we-saw-from-nashville-predators-prospects-at-world-junior-summer-showcase] should get a chance on this line or make the roster period to spread that scoring. Having some bigger players on the line would give him some protection, and knowing Wood can be offensively productive may be good in keeping him on this line. If Martin can make this role his own, McCarron should slide over to the left wing and compete for time with L’Heureux. Scoring should be the priority, and these guys who have a residence in the penalty box need to showcase that they have more to their game. Wood and Smith could split time between third and fourth depending on who is playing better. There's a 13th forward in the mix here. Hopefully, that gives the Predators a little bit more breathing room with this line and being able to find a flow. DEFENSE First pairing L - Roman Josi R - Nick Perbix Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9f59a3ae-51df-4127-b341-7e5dbbd91194.jpeg] Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images This is not the popular choice, but it makes more sense to me. First off, you’re going to get both defensemen on their strong side. Josi shoots left, and Perbix shoots right. Second, Perbix is a stronger skater than Hague. Even if the Predators want a "stay back" defenseman to complement Josi, Perbix is more offensively minded than Hauge. Josi and Perbix can be interchangeable, depending on who wants to push play into the opponent's zone. Second pairing L - Brady Skjei R - Nic Hague Mar 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e42a6581-3400-4700-89a3-a070771037f8.jpeg] Mar 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Image I think having Hague with Skjei will push Skjei to be more offensively involved. I get that putting Hague on the first pairing is supposed to elevate Josi’s game, but I think Skeji needs it more. You also have the benefit of a bigger player, Skjei at 6-feet-3-inches, advancing the puck and another big d-man, Hague at 6-feet-6-inches, supporting. If you want to balance out shooting, Blankenburg or Barron could be moved up, but the Predators seem to want Hague in a top-four role, despite never being in that position before. Third pairing L - Tanner Molendyk R- Nick Blankenburg or Justin Barron Gold team defenseman Tanner Molendyk (50) looks to shoot past Blue team defenseman Luke Shipley (57) during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/616850e3-8d9f-48ed-9298-d15c7639daa5.jpeg] Gold team defenseman Tanner Molendyk (50) looks to shoot past Blue team defenseman Luke Shipley (57) during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Blakenberg was the more successful, statistically, right shooter, but Barron is bigger, and we know how much the Predators love height. Both of them are good third-pairing pieces on the right side. Tanner Moldendyk deserves a shot. He’s done nothing but impress. He’s an offensively minded defenseman and meets that 6-foot range. It’s absolutely worth trying him out in the bottom pairing and seeing how he does.
