Krelly’s Corner – This week in Smashville News

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Krelly’s Corner. In this series, we will delve into all aspects of Predators Hockey and address your inquiries regarding the forthcoming 2024-2025 season. We aim to provide comprehensive coverage and insights into the team’s performance and prospects. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to an engaging, informative and entertaining  journey through the hockey season ahead.

Starting today at 1:00 PM CST, the Nashville Predators will host the annual Rookie Camp, featuring a comprehensive roster of the team’s top rookies and prospects. This camp will be succeeded by the 2024 Rookie Showcase, marking its return to Nashville for the first time since 2019. The showcase will include participation from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Florida Panthers. With the Predators having released the full roster earlier this morning, let take a look at a few key names to watch.

“Broadway Beckons: Who is ready to answer the call?”

Significant attention will undoubtedly be focused on young goaltender Magnus Chrona, who joined the Predators in a recent trade with San Jose for former Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. Last season, Chrona primarily played with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL, where he recorded a 6-17-6 record, a 3.49 goals-against average, and a .894 save percentage across 31 games. Additionally, Chrona appeared in nine NHL games with the San Jose Sharks. Notably, he is the sole player on Nashville’s Rookie Camp roster with prior NHL experience.

The Nashville Predators also acquired forward Jordan Frasca from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Cody Glass. Frasca, who spent the majority of the previous season in the ECHL, achieved career highs across all statistical categories. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 190 pounds, he demonstrates significant potential as a power forward capable of contributing offensively in various aspects. Over the course of 40 games, Frasca tallied 11 goals and 22 assists, showcasing his promise despite lacking NHL experience.

Tanner Molendyk, who is poised to demonstrate his abilities after a standout season, is also showing great promise. Selected 24th overall by Nashville in last year’s draft, Molendyk served as the Alternate Captain for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. In a career-year, he recorded 10 goals and 46 assists. Despite playing just 50 games—his fewest in the WHL—Molendyk exhibited notable growth and a strong drive to prove himself, making him a key player to watch in Rookie Camp.

In other news – Promising RFA’s Re Signed

On Monday, the Nashville Predators re-signed restricted free agents Juuso Pärssinen and Marc Del Gaizo to one-year contracts, with Pärssinen receiving a one-way deal and Del Gaizo a two-way contract. Prior to his assignment to the Milwaukee Admirals in January, Pärssinen briefly played on the first line alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly, demonstrating considerable potential. With 25 points in 36 games, his performance highlighted promising skills, making his continued presence in Smashville an exciting development.

Marc Del Gaizo demonstrated his potential early on, recording three assists in his first three NHL games last season and making a strong case for his continued role within the Predators organization. During his time with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, Del Gaizo established himself as a dependable and steady defenseman. With 34 points accrued in 60 regular-season games, he played a pivotal role in helping the Admirals secure the Central Division title. Despite the Admirals’ eventual defeat to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the Western Conference Finals, he contributed significantly with 7 points in 15 playoff games.Prior to his NHL career, Del Gaizo was a significant contributor during his three seasons at UMass, notably stepping up after the departure of Cale Makar following his freshman year. His reliable presence on defense was crucial to the team’s success, culminating in their first NCAA championship in 2021.

As we approach the commencement of the 2024-25 NHL season, make sure to stay tuned to our updates for the most comprehensive news and insights on the Nashville Predators.