Latest news with #NashvillePredators'
Ottawa Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Soo Greyhounds' Brady Martin has more to prove after world juniors showcase
Article content Last week, the 2025 world junior summer showcase offered an early look at how steep the road will be for Brady Martin to crack Canada's 2026 world junior roster. Article content The 18‑year‑old Greyhounds centre was in Minneapolis, Minn. for the showcase, designed to give top prospects a first audition for the world juniors in December. Martin, the Nashville Predators' fifth-overall selection, left the showcase with a goal and an assist in two games against Sweden and the United States — but he wasn't a standout. Article content Article content Skating primarily out of position on Canada's third line at right wing alongside Cole Reschny (Victoria) and Cole Beaudoin (Barrie), Martin recorded an assist in the team's intrasquad game before sitting out the first contest against Finland. He scored his lone goal of the week in an 8‑4 loss to Sweden, using a defenseman as a screen and snapping a high‑glove shot past the goalie. Article content Article content Martin picked up another assist in the tournament finale against the United States, but the play came on a missed shot that bounced off the end boards to a teammate. Article content With Canada leading 3-0, a failed zone clearing attempt by Martin led to the Americans' first goal. He also took two penalties for charging and cross‑checking. Overall, he wasn't very noticeable on the ice, which is usually a hallmark of his loud and physical game. Article content Despite the uneven performance, Martin's standing for the world juniors isn't set in stone. Summer showcase games are more about evaluation than results, and players are often thrown out of their regular positions to test their versatility. For Martin, a natural centre, that experience will be more than an experiment if he cracks Canada's roster in December, as he will almost certainly be a bottom‑six winger. His strong showing at the 2025 U18 world championship, where he finished fifth in scoring, and his reputation as a reliable two‑way forward still give him a path to that role, provided he opens the OHL season with momentum. Article content Article content Competition will be fierce. Canada's summer roster featured 22 NHL first‑rounders, including projected 2026 No. 1 Gavin McKenna (Penn State), and forwards like Michael Hage (Michigan), Malcolm Spence (Erie), and linemate Reschny outshone Martin in Minnesota, despite the latter two being selected much later in this year's NHL draft. Sam O'Reilly (London) and Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton), two other competitors for bottom-six slots, also benefit from having their junior coaches (Dale Hunter and Gardiner MacDougall) on Canada's staff, a factor that has historically influenced final selections. Article content If Martin does make the cut, he'll make it a third consecutive year that a Greyhounds player represents Canada at the world juniors. Andrew Gibson wore the maple leaf last tournament, and Owen Allard did so in 2024. Allard, passed over in two NHL drafts, was never expected to compete for a roster spot but forced himself into the conversation.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Nashville Predators: 'I feel very comfortable': Barry Trotz unfazed after Nashville Predators fall to No. 5 in 2025 NHL Draft lottery
Barry Trotz (via Getty Images) Barry Trotz not surprised as Nashville Predators' fall to No. 5 pick in NHL draft lottery Today's the Day – Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz (Finally) Addresses the Media Who are Nashville Predators' best prospects at No. 5? Nashville Predators' future guided by three first-round picks in 2025 NHL Draft The Nashville Predators won't be making franchise history with a No. 1 pick this season. Instead, they will pick fifth overall— down from their pre-lottery ranking of third— following a shake-up in the NHL Draft lottery on May 5. The New York Islanders jumped to the top from No. 10, and the Utah Hockey Club moved ten spots to No. 4, bumping Nashville down the general manager Barry Trotz, though, the news wasn't completely astonishing. 'When you're up against the field, in terms of the odds, there was a likelihood that that could happen,' he said. 'I was hoping it didn't. But at the same time, I feel very comfortable, we're still going to get a good player to add to our pool.'Although the Nashville Predators were denied top choices such as Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer, the scouting staff of the team is poised to capitalize on their prized is Nashville's first top-five pick in more than a decade — the previous one being in 2013 when they drafted defenseman Seth Jones at No. 4 overall. And although falling two spots hurts, Trotz says it won't interfere with the team's draft plan."(The lottery result) doesn't change a whole lot. You have a little more clarity because you know where you're picking," Trotz said. "At (No. 5), the options before us will send us in different directions than we thought."Included among the probable targets are a list of high-upside European and North American forwards, some of whom surfaced as serious contenders in recent the first three prospects on the board, the Nashville Predators are considering other types of versatile forwards that add a blend of size, skill, and goal-scoring Martone , an OHL Brampton Steelheads' 6-foot-3 winger, is a name continuing to gain traction. Playmaker and scorer, Martone had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) on the year in just 57 games. Size and scoring potential could be the perfect mix for Nashville's evolving top six. Another option is Roger McQueen of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings. At 6 feet 5 inches, McQueen provides two-way skill and physicality, even with an injury-curtailed season in which he still posted more than a point per centre Caleb Desnoyers has also joined the discussion after a breakout season with 84 points for the Moncton Wildcats. An elite skater with exceptional hands, Desnoyers is one of the biggest risers leading up to the of Europe, Djurgardens IF teammates Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund bring opposing but complementary attractive skill sets. Eklund, the 5-11 right wing, topped the team in scoring, while Frondell, the centre when healthy, provided glimpses of elite-level vision and playmaking skills after missing time with a knee Predators enter the 2025 NHL Draft not only with the No. 5 selection but also armed with two additional first-round picks. This gives Barry Trotz and his scouting staff plenty of flexibility to balance their prospect pool and add both immediate and future-impact read: 'Always had that passion and love': Barry Trotz explains what makes Alex Ovechkin special and unique Although the Predators might have missed out on the No. 1 overall fantasy, the chance to add high-ceiling talent to their roster is still very much alive — and Trotz seems intent on making it count.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jelly Roll makes appearance at Nashville Predators game vs St. Louis Blues
Nashville-native singer and rap artist Jelly Roll made an appearance at the Nashville Predators' game against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. With 1:39 left in the first period, the Predators' public address announcer announced Jelly Roll was in attendance, watching from the suite level. The singer then stood and gave a thankful "heart" hand-signal to the crowd. Jelly Roll's appearance came as no surprise — the first 10,000 fans in attendance were given a Jelly Roll bobblehead as part of Nashville's Music City Hockey bobblehead series. The 40-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, grew up in the Antioch area in Nashville. After starting his music career in 2003, he saw a sharp rise in the music industry in 2022 with his hit single, "Son of a Sinner." In January, Jelly Roll opened Goodnight Nashville, a five-story honky tonk on Broadway. Located at 209 Broadway between Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk and Bootleggers, the 27,000 square-foot space is the first Lower Broadway celebrity-owned bar from a Nashville native. Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@ Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jelly Roll makes appearance at Predators game vs Blues
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jelly Roll makes appearance at Nashville Predators game vs St. Louis Blues
Nashville-native singer and rap artist Jelly Roll made an appearance at the Nashville Predators' game against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. With 1:39 left in the first period, the Predators' public address announcer announced Jelly Roll was in attendance, watching from the suite level. The singer then stood and gave a thankful "heart" hand-signal to the crowd. Jelly Roll's appearance came as no surprise — the first 10,000 fans in attendance were given a Jelly Roll bobblehead as part of Nashville's Music City Hockey bobblehead series. Advertisement The 40-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, grew up in the Antioch area in Nashville. After starting his music career in 2003, he saw a sharp rise in the music industry in 2022 with his hit single, "Son of a Sinner." In January, Jelly Roll opened Goodnight Nashville, a five-story honky tonk on Broadway. Located at 209 Broadway between Kid Rock's Big Honky Tonk and Bootleggers, the 27,000 square-foot space is the first Lower Broadway celebrity-owned bar from a Nashville native. Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@ Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jelly Roll makes appearance at Predators game vs Blues
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How the Nashville Predators' rivalry with St. Louis Blues reignited, setting up rematch
Even while the Nashville Predators' playoff hopes are dead, one of their most heated rivalries still has plenty of life. In the Predators' 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, the two teams piled up 63 penalty minutes, including three major penalties, two misconducts and one game misconduct penalty. It equaled the most penalty minutes by both teams in a Predators game this season. The tension began in the first period when Zach L'Heureux and Nathan Walker tussled after Walker dumped L'Heureux near the side wall. L'Heureux landed a few punches before being dumped to the ice by Walker. Then, in the final seconds of the first period, Blues defenseman Alexey Toropchenko laid a heavy hit from behind on Jonathan Marchessault. Furious, Marchessault charged after the first Blues player he found, eventually launching himself at Philip Broberg. After the penalties were assessed, the Predators wound up with a power play to start the second period − Filip Forsberg scored during the man advantage to give Nashville their only tally of the night. FORSBERG: How Filip Forsberg responded to Andrew Brunette calling out Nashville Predators' leaders Finally, in the third period, with the Blues holding comfortably to a 3-1 lead, a scrum in front of the St. Louis net led to Michael McCarron and Walker mixing it up. Walker, who was already in hot water with the officials, was given an immediate 10-minute misconduct. McCarron was given the same. But the worst of it happened at the 13:33 mark of the third, just seconds after McCarron and Walker were ejected. With Robert Thomas skating up center ice, Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg attempted an open ice check. Thomas dodged most of the hit, but Blankenburg tripped Thomas, which infuriated his teammates, thinking it was a knee-on-knee hit. With Blankenburg lying on the ice, Blues forward Zack Bolduc delivered several hard cross-checks to Blankenburg's back. Blankenburg was given a tripping call, but Bolduc was given a five-minute major penalty and a 10-minute game misconduct, ending his night. The Predators were unable to capitalize on the five-minute major and the Blues walked away with an easy 4-1 win − but with the way everything unfolded, the two teams are set up for an intriguing rematch this week. The Blues travel to Bridgestone Arena for the fourth and final game between the two teams on Thursday (7 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network). Likely all the main players − L'Heureux, McCarron and Marchessault for the Predators and Bolduc, Toropchenko, and Walker for the Blues − will be back on the ice. Incidentally, it wouldn't be the first time the Predators have had a heated rematch with a Central Division rival this season. On Jan. 18, the Predators and Minnesota Wild played a much anticipated game to settle the Wild's beef with L'Heureux, who just three weeks earlier committed a slew-foot on Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin. That night, L'Heureux fought with Yakov Trenin in the first two minutes, soon joined by bouts between Marcus Foligno and Luke Schenn and then Ryan Hartman and Mark Jankowski. Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@ Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How the Predators' rivalry with Blues reignited, setting up rematch
