The Nashville Predators kicked off their preseason schedule with two split-squad games against the Florida Panthers, losing both matchups. In one game, the Predators fell 3-2, with Matt Murray and Ethan Haider splitting goaltending duties. Murray stopped 13 of 15 shots in over 30 minutes, while Haider saved seven of eight in just over 27 minutes. Joakim Kemell and Cole Smith scored the goals for Nashville. In the other game, the Predators lost 6-2, with Scott Wedgewood allowing all six goals while stopping 17 shots in nearly 53 minutes of play. Jakub Milota took over and saved the only shot he faced. Jake Lucchini and Steven Stamkos netted the two Nashville goals.
Following these games, the Predators announced their first round of roster cuts, sending several players back to juniors. Left-wing Kalan Lind will return to the WHL to play for Red Deer, goalie Jakub Milota heads to the QMJHL’s Cape Breton, right-wing Miguel Marques returns to the WHL with Lethbridge, center Joey Willis is heading to the OHL’s Saginaw, and defenseman Dylan MacKinnon will play for Moncton in the QMJHL. With these cuts, Nashville’s roster is now down to 58 players.
Player Profiles:
– Kalan Lind (LW):Drafted 46th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Lind had 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 46 games with Red Deer last season, adding eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in nine playoff games. He participated in the 6-2 loss to the Panthers.
– Jakub Milota (G):Selected 99th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Milota posted an 18-11-1 record with Cape Breton last season, with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. He also represented Czechia in the World Junior Championship, going 2-3-0 with a 3.05 GAA and .882 save percentage. In the preseason game, Milota faced just one shot in nearly seven minutes of play.
– Miguel Marques (RW): Drafted 87th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Marques had an impressive season with Lethbridge, tallying 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) in 67 games. He recorded one assist in two playoff games but did not feature in either of the Predators’ preseason games.
