As the Nashville Predators lace up their skates for another exciting season of NHL action, one thing has become abundantly clear just three days into their training camp: speed is the name of the game.
Under the watchful eye of Head Coach Andrew Brunette, the Predators are embracing a new philosophy that strongly emphasizes quickness and agility, a stark departure from their more conservative style of play in recent years under former Head Coach John Hynes.
The early stages of training camp have been marked by a noticeable uptick in intensity on offense. Players are getting accustomed to a more aggressive approach, and the emphasis on speed is evident in every drill and scrimmage.
Brunette, in particular, has expressed his satisfaction with the high energy and effort exhibited by the younger players in camp. These prospects are eager to make their mark and show they can keep up with the team’s new, fast-paced style.
The actual test of this philosophy shift will come in preseason doubleheader action against the Florida Panthers. With split squads taking the ice, it will be intriguing to see how Brunette divides up the players and how their newfound speed translates to game action against another NHL team.
Transitioning from a more conservative system to a high-speed one will inevitably come with challenges. Players will need time to fully grasp the new structure and adapt to the demands of their coaches. However, this change in philosophy signals a fresh start for the Predators and the potential for an exciting brand of hockey.
One particularly positive development in the training camp’s early days is the chemistry forming among key players. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly, critical veterans, already show strong chemistry on the ice. As likely members of the top line, their partnership bodes well for the upcoming season.
Brunette has also noted improved chemistry among players with prior experience playing together, such as the line featuring Thomas Novak. Promising young talents like Luke Evangelista and Egor Afanasyev also capture the coaching staff’s attention.
“They brought the energy. There hasn’t been one kid that hasn’t worked extremely hard and as a coach, that is a good feeling.”
» Andrew Brunette pic.twitter.com/zMeVVPYQZU
— Bally Sports: Preds (@PredsOnBally) September 23, 2023
One player who has stood out in camp is Yakov Trenin, earning praise from Brunette as “the best player on the ice.” Trenin’s performance is significant as he reaches a pivotal juncture in his NHL career, potentially becoming a long-term fixture for the Predators.
The Predators have assembled a roster with the speed and skill required to excel in the NHL’s evolving landscape. The league now prioritizes quick transitions and generating scoring opportunities, a departure from the Predators’ more conservative approach in the past.
Players like Novak, Evangelista, Cody Glass, and Philip Tomasino will play integral roles in this faster-paced Predators team, aiming to rectify their 28th-ranked scoring offense from the previous season. The success of Coach Brunette’s efforts to transform the group into a higher-scoring unit will undoubtedly be a focal point for fans and pundits alike as they look to provide solid support for goaltender Juuse Saros.
As training camp continues and the preseason games unfold, Predators fans eagerly await the start of the regular season, hoping to see their team thrive in this new era of speed and excitement on the ice.
