Nash Daily: Showcase Week for Predators, Andrew Ladd Retires

Skates hit the ice this week at Centennial Sportsplex as the Nashville Predators rookies get ready for the Southeast Showcase in Estero, Florida.

There will be 23 skaters making the trek to the Sunshine State ahead of the main camp with the Predators — slated to start Sept. 21 — and preseason action that begins Sept. 25 at the Flordia Panthers.

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The #Preds Rookie camp starts 9/14 with practice at 10 a.m. before going to Estero, Florida for the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase.

23 skaters are expected to be part of the showcase.
Games will be played at Hertz Arnea with action starting on 9/15 at 3 p.m. pic.twitter.com/H0Wuv22gKi

— Nick Kieser 🏒 (@KieserNick) September 7, 2023

In terms of new faces at the showcase, Nashville will have the following skaters present: Joakim Kemell, Fedor Svechkov, Jachym Kondelik, Kevin Wall, Narvin Mutter, Luke Evangelista, Jack O’Brien, and Austin Elliott.

Svechkov was not at the development camp due to his wife Estella’s passport not being ready in time to make the journey to the United States. Assistant general manager Scott Nichol told reporters in July that the Russian forward spent the offseason in Nashville once he arrived and development camp ended.

Forward Nolan Burke was present, but did not skate, at the development camp, and was left off the roster yet again for the showcase this coming weekend. Burke previously told Nashville Hockey Now that he was nursing a lower-body injury that he suffered while playing with the Sarnia Sting this last season.

Around the NHL & National Hockey Now

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Forward Andrew Ladd decided to hang up the skates on Saturday as he announced via his Twitter account. Ladd won two Stanley Cups in 2006 & 2010 with the Carolina Hurricanes — in his rookie season — then the Chicago Blackhawks. He last played in an NHL game during the 2021-22 campaign.

Meanwhile, forward Zach Parise is not expected to return to the Islanders to start the 23-24 season. President of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced on Monday that forward Parise is not retiring but will not return to the team to start the season either.

Vancouver Canucks: The Vancouver Canucks have named their next captain as of Monday morning. Defenseman Quinn Hughes, 23, was officially named the 15th captain as he enters his fifth full season in the NHL. Hughes has complied 241 points in 283 career games during his time in a Canucks sweater. He succeeds forward Bo Horvat who was moved to the Islanders last season via trade.

Colorado Hockey Now: One of the latest additions to the Colorado Avalanche this offseason is former Predators centerman Ryan Johansen. He’s taken part in a handful of skates with some of his teammates in his new digs. Why will Johansen’s fit be a good one for the Central Divisional foe?

Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick