The Nashville Predators open rookie camp at Ford Ice Center in Bellevue on Wednesday this week, marking the official first team activity of the new season.
Among the 26 players set to report will be former first-round selection Joakim Kemell (2022), several members of the Predators' 2024 draft class , and the team's newest acquisition, Magnus Chrona, the goaltender they acquired from San Jose in exchange for Yaroslav Askarov .
Rookie camp includes a four-team Rookie Showcase, in which the Predators will take on rookies from the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning in a round robin exhibition. This precedes Nashville's full team training camp, which opens on Sept. 18.
This year's rookie camp roster features plenty of intriguing prospects, but these three are likely to separate themselves from the pack.
Tanner Molendyk, Defenseman
One of the Predators' two first-round selections in 2023, Tanner Molendyk , is a swift-skating defenseman with a quick first step and slick offensive skills.
In 50 games with Saskatoon (WHL) last season, Molendyk scored 10 goals and 46 assists to lead all Blades defensemen. Even while battling a wrist injury that kept him out of the World Junior Championship, Molendyk was Saskatoon's best overall defenseman at both ends of the ice.
He should also be the Predators' best defenseman at rookie camp this weekend.
The only issue with Molendyk? His age.
An agreement between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the NHL dictates players drafted out of the CHL must remain with their CHL team until they have played four seasons or turn 20 years old. As a 19-year-old, Molendyk must return to the WHL this season - unless he makes the Predators' 23-man roster out of camp.
With six full time defensemen ahead of him in the pecking order, that doesn't seem likely, which means this rookie camp might be your only chance to see Molendyk in a Predators jersey until at least 2025-26.
Andrew Gibson, Defenseman
The Predators acquired Andrew Gibson from the Detroit Red Wings in June, finally landing a player they tried to trade up for in 2023.
A 6-foot-3, 203 pound right-handed defenseman, Gibson stood out during development camp in July. He makes quick work in the defensive zone, usually using his size to seal off attackers. Offensively, his puck skills are more than serviceable and he makes difficult passes look easy.
Gibson will likely pair with Molendyk throughout this camp, which could be a glimpse of Nashville's future on the blueline.
With Sault Ste. Marie last season, Gibson has 12 goals and 32 assists in 68 games for the Greyhounds. Like Molendyk, Gibson is 19 and will return to the OHL this season.
Zachary L'Heureux, Forward
Zachary L'Heureux is Nashville's most physical forward prospect, without question. Fans attending the rookie showcase this weekend will hear him before they see him.
Selected in the first round (No. 27) in 2021, L'Heureux is an all-out blitzing forechecker who relishes the chance to hit opponents. He uses his 5-foot-11, 198 pound frame to bully his way into the boards, winning pucks, frustrating defenders, and creating offense through sheer will.
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But don't discount L'Heureux's skill as a playmaker. He was the Milwaukee Admirals' second highest scorer last season with 19 goals and 29 assists in 66 games. He added a team leading 10 goals in the playoffs, helping carry the Admirals to the Western Conference Final for the second straight season.
As unsuspecting rookies during this weekend's showcase will soon learn, L'Heureux is determined to make the Predators' opening night roster. He has a reasonable chance at doing so, and if not, he will almost certainly make his NHL debut this season.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: As the Nashville Predators open rookie camp, these 3 players should outperform the rest
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