In speaking with Nashville Assistant GM Paul Fenton last week on Milwaukee Admirals Center Ice, it was apparent he, too, was quite excited for the competition between players for roster spots in Nashville. One of the great things about the Predators, they let players dictate where they play. By that, I mean if a player has a good training camp, he’ll make the team. If he doesn’t, he’s headed to Milwaukee.

 

I’m assuming the Predators will, once again, keep 22 players around for the season. That’s one less than the maximum a team can carry. This means the team saves money and there’s one less player sitting around when he could be playing in Milwaukee. With a player like Wade Belak on the roster, you have a little flexibility because he can play both forward and defense.

 

Assuming Patric Hornzqvist and Cody Franson will both re-sign, here’s what the squad may look like in Nashville:

 

Forwards (13): Wade Belak, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat, Marcel Goc, Patric Hornqvist, Sergei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, Matthew Lombardi, Jerrred Smithson, Steve Sullivan, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Ward & Colin Wilson.

 

Defenseman (7): Francis Bouillon, Cody Franson, Kevin Klein, Ryan Parent, Alex Sulzer, Ryan Suter & Shea Weber.

 

Goalie (2): Pekka Rinne & Mark Dekanich.

 

This is a guess, obviously. Things can certainly change.

 

If you look at this list, especially in the names of the forwards, you don’t see the names of Nick Spaling, Cal O’Reilly, Andreas Thuresson, Kelsey Wilson, Jonas Andersson, Linus Klasen, Blake Geoffrion and many others.

 

Fenton did mention on the radio show that defensemen Jon Blum, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis all have a shot at sticking in Nashville. That could make Sulzer the odd man out.

 

Also, I really expect the Preds will find a backup goalie on the waiver wire. Phoenix has a couple intriguing possibilities in Al Montoya and Matt Climie. Yann Danis is still available as a free agent, too.

 

Moving on…

 

Congratulations to former Admirals assistant coach Chuck Weber. He’s the new head coach of the Rochester Americans. Weber led ECHL Cincinnati to two of the last three Kelly Cup championships.

 

Former Admirals forward Shaun Clouston was named the head coach of the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers. Shaun is the older brother of Ottawa Senators head coach Cory Clouston.

 

Also, former Admirals broadcaster Troy Ward is an assistant coach with the Abbotsford Heat.

 

Former Admirals that signed (or re-signed) elsewhere this offseason:

 

Mathieu Darche, Montreal Canadiens (Hamilton)

Chris Durno, Tampa Bay Lightning (Norfolk)

Mark Eaton, New York Islanders

Mitch Fritz, Tampa Bay Lightning (Norfolk)

Triston Grant, Florida Panthers (Rochester)

Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks

Andrew Hutchinson, Pittsburgh Penguins (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)

Raitis Ivanans, Calgary Flames

Hugh Jessiman, Chicago Blackhawks (Rockford)

Bracken Kearns, Phoenix Coyotes (San Antonio)

Chris Mason, Atlanta Thrashers

Chris Minard, Detroit Red Wings (Grand Rapids)

Scott Nichol, San Jose Sharks

Scottie Upshall, Phoenix Coyotes

Jeremy Yablonski, New York Islanders (Bridgeport)

Nolan Yonkman, Phoenix Coyotes (San Antonio)

 

A reminder, if you’re looking for a speaker for a group you’re involved with, I’d love to be that speaker. You can e-mail me at aaron@milwaukeeadmirals.com. Also, follow me on Twitter.

 

I leave you with a “coulda been”…Don Murdoch.