Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators Begin 2024-25 Season Today: Key Players to Watch and Projected Lineups

Hockey Returns to Smashville
The Nashville Predators face off against the Dallas Stars tonight at Bridgestone Arena, marking the return of hockey in Smashville. Below are key players to watch, projected lineups, and additional insights.
Offseason Recap: Key Players to Watch
The Predators made significant strides at the start of free agency by signing forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, along with defenseman Brady Skjei. These additions have positioned Nashville as one of the most improved teams in the NHL this offseason, with advanced metrics suggesting that their Stanley Cup window has reopened.
The re-signing of elite goaltender Juuse Saros to an eight-year extension highlights the commitment of Nashville’s relatively new regime, led by General Manager Barry Trotz, to remain competitive in the coming years.
While the Predators have yet to win a Stanley Cup, they feature top talent at every position, including defenseman Roman Josi, forward Filip Forsberg—who scored 48 goals last season, ranking sixth in the NHL—and Saros. The signings of Stamkos (four-year contract), Marchessault (five-year contract), and Skjei (seven-year contract) are expected to enhance the team’s overall performance.

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) skates with the puck during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Johnnie Izquierdo)
Nashville now boasts two strong scoring lines, with Forsberg, center Ryan O’Reilly, and winger Gustav Nyquist ready to collaborate with their new star players, Stamkos and Marchessault. Stamkos, a two-time champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021, and Marchessault, who won the Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, are bringing valuable experience to the lineup.
Known for his powerful shot, the 34-year-old Stamkos remains a top performer, ranking third in 90-plus mile-per-hour shot attempts (36) among NHL forwards, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (68) and Tage Thompson (46). He was just outside the top 10 in maximum shooting speed (96.00 mph) and placed in the 82nd percentile for high-danger goals (13).
Marchessault, who achieved a career-high 42 goals with Vegas last season, joined the Predators as another potent scorer. He ranked 24th in the league in shots on goal (266) and was in the 89th percentile for total skating distance on the power play (34.50 miles).
Both Stamkos and Marchessault are key players to watch in tonight’s contest. Stamkos scored in his preseason debut with the Predators, while Marchessault recorded three goals and five points in two games played.
 Projected Lineups: Saros Questionable
Juuse Saros is currently listed as day-to-day due to a lower-body injury, leaving his status uncertain for the Predators’ regular-season opener tonight.
Saros sustained the injury during the first period of a 5-3 preseason loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Goalie Scott Wedgewood played the final two periods of that game and may start against the Dallas Stars if Saros is unable to compete.
“I’m making progress,” Saros said Wednesday. “I feel a lot better today than yesterday. Hopefully, I’ll feel even better tomorrow.” Saros did not practice on Tuesday but participated in Wednesday’s session, indicating that his injury “was nothing too bad” and that returning to the ice is a positive sign.
The Predators have recalled goalie Matt Murray from the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, and he could serve as the backup to Wedgewood if Saros cannot play. However, Saros was the first goaltender on the ice for the morning skate, so he should not be ruled out just yet.
Here are the lines from the morning skate, with no notable changes aside from the uncertain status of Saros and the inclusion of Pärssinen as an extra skater:
Forwards:
– Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
– Stamkos – Novak – Marchessault
– Tomasino – Sissons – Evangelista
– Jankowski – McCarron – Smith
Defensemen:
– Josi – Fabbro
– Skjei – Schenn
– Lauzon – Carrier
Goaltenders
– Wedgewood (Starting?)
– Saros
Extra Skater(s):
– Pärssinen
With the impressive offseason moves made by General Manager Barry Trotz, there is a palpable buzz in Nashville as the new season approaches. Tonight’s game is not to be missed, with the puck dropping at Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. CST.
EDIT: Wedgewood has been confirmed as tonight’s starting goaltender for the Nashville Predators.