The Nashville Predators [https://www.nhl.com/predators] open training camp with meetings and physicals Sept. 18, with on-ice activities beginning Sept. 19 at Ford Ice Center Bellevue. It may be the most highly anticipated training camp in franchise history due to the addition of offseason acquisitions Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, but there are still several unanswered questions surrounding the team as they head into camp. The Hockey News' Emma Lingan answers a handful of reader-submitted questions in this week's Predators Mailbag. (Some questions have been edited for clarity.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: Any update on Philip Tomasino? (@TaylorB13739236) EL: In short, no. Tomasino, a restricted free agent, is one of 14 unsigned players on Nashville's training camp roster. The Predators submitted a qualifying offer to Tomasino, but no agreement has been reached. The parties can continue working on a contract for the duration of camp. Question: How will we watch the Preds this year?! Bally still? (@KirstieAdkisson) EL: As of now, yes. Regionally broadcast Predators games will be available in the Nashville market on Bally Sports South, Bally Sports.com, the Bally Sports app or through direct-to-consumer streaming service Bally Sports+. However, Diamond Sports Group, which owns Bally's regional sports networks, is in its 11th month of bankruptcy court; so the situation remains in flux. The New York Post recently reported [https://nypost.com/2024/09/05/business/amazon-nears-major-deal-to-broadcast-nba-mlb-and-nhl-games-sources/] that Diamond is has continued negotiations with Amazon about joining forces on a direct-to-consumer venture where Bally Sports channels would be available on Prime Video at an additional cost as part of a non-exclusive deal that could launch ahead of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons, but nothing is official on that front yet. Nashville Predators forward prospect Zachary L'Heureux speaks to the media on Day 1 of Rookie Camp. Question: Will we see any of the 'near ready' forward prospects (L'Heureux, Svechkov, and Kemell) in Nashville this season? What can we expect? (@CodyStormPanic) EL: I would push back slightly and say that Zachary L'Heureux, Fedor Svechkov and Joakim Kemell are not quite as "near ready" for the NHL as a lot of fans seem to think they are. Remember, Luke Evangelista is the exception to the rule; it's far more common for prospects to spend at least two full seasons in the AHL before cracking an NHL roster. Question: Seems to be a forgone conclusion that Nashville keeps the top line. Chance they split them up? (@aj_hansen) EL: There's always a chance. Expect to see every line combination imaginable during training camp as head coach Andrew Brunette and his staff determine which players have the best chemistry with one another and complement each other's skills the best. Question: Who do you think makes the 4th line this season? (@AustinTobak) EL: If Michael McCarron and Cole Smith keep their spots on the fourth line in 2024-25, I think Juuso Pärssinen would be an ideal candidate to take Kiefer Sherwood's spot. He has the size, physicality and offensive upside, but it remains to be seen whether the fourth line will still be the "identity line" and, if so, whether Brunette will trust Pärssinen to play such a critical role in driving offense. Question: Do you think they play Wedgewood enough to give Saros a lighter workload? (@AustinTobak) EL: I certainly hope so. Scott Wedgewood told us during his introductory media availability that there had been no promises from the Predators coaching staff regarding his workload and playing time, but he is more than capable of giving Juuse Saros some more regular rest between the pipes. Wedgewood played a career-high 32 games for the Dallas Stars in 2023-24 while starter Jake Oettinger missed nearly a month due to injury, posting a 6-3-2 record in 11 straight starts during that stretch. Question: If Zachary L'Heureux is “Happy”, who would you assign to the other 6 dwarfs? (@The_Pred_Head) EL: Fantastic question, especially since I happen to have a seven dwarves-themed mousepad on my desk for reference. Off the top of my head, I'd have to go with Juuse Saros as Bashful, Roman Josi as Doc, Alex Carrier as Sneezy, Michael McCarron as Dopey, Tommy Novak as Sleepy and as Filip Forsberg as Grumpy. Question: What was something that helped you get into sports to get your dream job? (@emma.claire864) EL: Being a team player and saying yes to every opportunity! Even if something isn't your "dream" job, you never know where it might lead and what opportunities it could unlock for you down the road. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
