5 Nashville Predators Prospects Expected To Make Opening Night Lineup

The Nashville Predators have a solid prospect pool and a number of good young players that debuted in the NHL last season as well. The season didn't go as planned, but with all of the changes and injuries, plenty of talent was able to be given a chance in the NHL so the team could judge their play and see where they're at in terms of future plans.

Some did well and by looking at projections of the lineup this season, five prospects are expected to make the opening night lineup with 1-2 darkhorses as well.

There are two young players that I would consider prospects as they debuted last season and completed their rookie season, but played 3/4 of the season or less. I am talking about Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux. They are going to be playing very different roles.

The Predators are one of the teams hurting down the middle. Ryan O'Reilly isn't getting any younger, Erik Haula was just brought in as a third line center who may be able to move up, and Michael McCarron is the fourth line center if he's in the lineup. Steven Stamkos is an option, but he's much more effective on the wing at this point in his career. I didn't forget about Svechkov, who should be the second line center. He had eight goals and 17 points in 52 games last season, and while he's talented, that role might be a little much for him. Regardless, he will get every opportunity for Nashville in that role.

L'Heureux is a different story as he plays a harder game and is a winger. He will play the majority, if not all of this season in the bottom-6, likely lining up on the fourth line to start. I would choose him over Cole Smith on the wing for the fourth line if somebody comes out.

Then there are the less experienced Matthew Wood and Joakim Kemell, who have played a combined eight games in the NHL. It appears as though the Predators want to give them both a look in the top-6, also spreading out the talent in the top-9 for better forward depth at the same time. Luke Evangelista is in a contract dispute, so he isn't penciled into the lineup. Wood is playing with O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg while Kemell is lining up beside Svechkov and Stamkos, pushing Jonathan Marchessault to the third line. These combinations are bound to change pretty early, but it sees all four of the young forwards in the lineup on opening night.

That isn't all as there is one rookie defenseman who will be in the lineup for the Predators' first game as well. This is Adam Wilsby, and it helps him get more playing time as Nic Hague is currently injured. Wilsby impressed in his first 23 games, logging over 18 minutes per night, killing penalties, and playing a solid game. He is a bit older at 25 years old now, but defensemen usually take a little longer.

I did say there would be 1-2 darkhorses, and the one player in particular I was thinking about is Tanner Molendyk. He impressed last preseason and is a top pick. He will be an impactful piece for the Predators very soon, but the team might want to get him some AHL time first before bringing him up mid-season or later in the season.