It’s not often a team can bring in a 22-year-old former first-round pick that has also already spent time in the organization. That is what the Nashville Predators have with Ozzy Wiesblatt.
Originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks, Wiesblatt was acquired in the off-season by Nashville. He was selected 31st overall and is now in the final year of his entry-level deal.
Wiesblatt has now played two seasons in the AHL after turning pro from the WHL. In his two previous seasons, the winger has scored 10 goals and 32 points in 95 games, but in his words, “I felt like I had a really good end to the season last year and I got my game back to where I want it to be.”
Even though he was a member of the Sharks’ organization, Wiesblatt played 16 games for the Milwaukee Admirals. This definitely played a part in his acquisition since he formed some chemistry with the likes of Philip Tomasino and the Predators got a much closer look at him.
Management liked what they saw or he wouldn’t have been acquired. That being said, Wiesblatt mentioned that “I felt really good at the end of the year and I want to bring it over. My goal is to make the team and nothing short of that.”
Just because he didn’t pop offensively doesn’t mean a player like that can’t turn into an everyday NHLer or impress enough in training camp to make the team. It’s not going to be easy as the Predators made some big upgrades, but at the same time also moved on from a number of players that would’ve stood in Wiesblatt’s way.
Related: Nashville Predators Training Camp Notebook: Sept. 24, 2024
He described his game saying, “Hard work. That’s where everything starts with me. Everything else will take care of itself as long as I’m working hard and competing. That’s my game, competing all the time.”
With that mentality, Wiesblatt can most definitely earn a spot in the bottom-6 for the Predators. I’m not going to be the one to count him out this season, but he isn’t eligible for waivers which may very well play a part in where he starts the season.
Wiesblatt clearly wants to compete and be in Nashville, so that’s a good player to have in the organization regardless of where he plays.
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