10 Key Dates To Know For 2024-25 Predators Season

There’s still one month remaining before the Nashville Predators ramp up preparations for the 2024-25 season.

Here are 10 key dates to know. All times are Central.

Sept. 11: Rookie camp begins

Nashville’s most seasoned prospects will report about a week earlier than the rest of the team. The rookies will take part in a tournament Sept. 13-16 at Ford Ice Center Bellevue before the Predators open their main training camp. Names like Yaroslav Askarov, Joakim Kemell, Zachary L’Heureux and Tanner Molendyk are likely to be among the headliners.

Sept. 22: Preseason opener at Florida Panthers, 1/5 p.m.

Why wait to face the best? This split-squad doubleheader will give Nashville’s younger and more experienced players a look at the 2023 Stanley Cup champions right out of the gate. The Predators also visit the Panthers on Nov. 7 and host them Feb. 25 for regular-season meetings.

Sept. 25: Gold Star Showcase in Clarksville, 6:30 p.m.

F&M Bank Arena drew a sold-out crowd for last year’s Predators intrasquad game benefitting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a non-profit which assists the families of fallen Special Operations personnel and service members who were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Oct. 10: Home/season opener vs. Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.

Bridgestone Arena should be brimming with excitement as Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei make their Predators debuts against last season’s Central Division winner. Nashville is 14-10-1 all-time on opening night.

Oct. 28: Steven Stamkos returns to Amalie Arena, 6 p.m.

Stamkos didn’t try to hide his disappointment after being unable to reach a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where the two-time Stanley Cup champion spent his first 16 seasons. He should receive a warm reception from the Tampa Bay faithful in his first regular-season game against his former club.

Nov. 9: First game vs. Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m.

Out with the Arizona Coyotes, in with the Utah Hockey Club. The Predators will get their first crack against the relocated franchise early in the year. Utah, which has yet to select a team name, has collected more than 34,000 season-ticket deposits, according to CEO Chris Barney.

Nov. 17: Rematch at Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m.

Nashville’s surprising run to the playoffs ended with a 4-2 series loss to the Canucks in the first round. The margins were tight as could be, with Vancouver holding a 13-12 scoring advantage and the final four games each being decided by one goal. That could add some juice to this meeting and subsequent ones on Jan. 3 (at Vancouver) and Jan. 29 (at Nashville).

Feb. 12-20: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, Montreal

Instead of a typical All-Star game, the NHL’s best players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States will face off in a round-robin format, followed by a one-game final between the top two teams. Filip Forsberg (Sweden) and Juuse Saros (Finland) have already been named to their respective country’s rosters. It wouldn’t be surprising to see other Predators – such Marchessault or Stamkos (Canada) and Gustav Nyquist (Sweden) – added to the tournament too.

Early to mid-March: NHL trade deadline

An official date for the 2025 NHL trade deadline has yet to be announced. If the Predators are in position for another playoff run, general manager Barry Trotz could add a player or two. However, he’ll have to navigate what projects to be a tight salary cap situation between now and next March.

April 16: Season finale vs. Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.

The Predators will end the season the way it began with a visit from Matt Duchene and the Stars. The game may not mean much if playoff seeds have been determined, but who knows, perhaps it could decide the Central Division.

Follow Russell Vannozzi on X/Twitter @RussellV_MSP.

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