The Nashville Predators open training camp with meetings and physicals Sept. 18, with on-ice activities beginning Sept. 19 at Ford Ice Center Bellevue. It may be the most highly anticipated training camp in franchise history due to the addition of offseason acquisitions Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, but there are still several unanswered questions surrounding the team as they head into camp.
The Hockey News’ Emma Lingan answers a handful of reader-submitted questions in this week’s Predators Mailbag. (Some questions have been edited for clarity.)
Question: Any update on Philip Tomasino? (@TaylorB13739236)
EL: In short, no. Tomasino, a restricted free agent, is one of 14 unsigned players on Nashville’s training camp roster. The Predators submitted a qualifying offer to Tomasino, but no agreement has been reached. The parties can continue working on a contract for the duration of camp.
Question: How will we watch the Preds this year?! Bally still? (@KirstieAdkisson)
EL: As of now, yes. Regionally broadcast Predators games will be available in the Nashville market on Bally Sports South, Bally Sports.com, the Bally Sports app or through direct-to-consumer streaming service Bally Sports+. However, Diamond Sports Group, which owns Bally’s regional sports networks, is in its 11th month of bankruptcy court; so the situation remains in flux. The New York Post recently reported that Diamond is has continued negotiations with Amazon about joining forces on a direct-to-consumer venture where Bally Sports channels would be available on Prime Video at an additional cost as part of a non-exclusive deal that could launch ahead of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons, but nothing is official on that front yet.
Question: Will we see any of the ‘near ready’ forward prospects (L’Heureux, Svechkov, and Kemell) in Nashville this season? What can we expect? (@CodyStormPanic)
EL: I would push back slightly and say that Zachary L’Heureux, Fedor Svechkov and Joakim Kemell are not quite as “near ready” for the NHL as a lot of fans seem to think they are. Remember, Luke Evangelista is the exception to the rule; it’s far more common for prospects to spend at least two full seasons in the AHL before cracking an NHL roster.
Question: Seems to be a forgone conclusion that Nashville keeps the top line. Chance they split them up? (@aj_hansen)
EL: There’s always a chance. Expect to see every line combination imaginable during training camp as head coach Andrew Brunette and…