Nashville Predators use last preseason game as final audition for defenseman Tanner Molendyk

With a looming decision to make on defenseman Tanner Molendyk , the Nashville Predators got one last look at their 19-year-old former first-round pick on Saturday night.

In the Predators ' 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes — Nashville's final preseason game before its home opener on Oct. 10 — coach Andrew Brunette said he wanted to see how Molendyk handled time with the team's top talent.

Not only was Molendyk paired with captain Roman Josi, he spent much of the night skating with top forwards Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly.

"I thought (Molendyk) was fine," Brunette said after the game. "He's such a great skater. We had an opportunity to show his feet off in his skating. He was really good."

Molendyk played just over 15 minutes, generating one shot and one hit. In four preseason games, Molendyk has skated over 65 minutes and generated four shots. He has yet to score a goal or register an assist.

The lack of offense has not concerned Brunette, though he does want to see more movement from Molendyk.

"I'd still like to see him skate a little more," Brunette said. "But he's a young kid that's trying to get comfortable at this level."

The Predators must either send Molendyk back to his junior hockey team in Saskatoon (WHL) or keep him on the NHL roster. Due to an agreement between the NHL and CHL, the league that govern's Canada's junior hockey leagues, Molendyk cannot be assigned Nashville's minor league club, the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).

Molendyk can play in up to nine NHL games before the Predators must make the final decision to send him to Saskatoon or keep him in Nashville. Preseason games do not count in that limit.

Carolina's Eric Robinson scored twice in the third period, including an empty netter with one minute remaining, to give the Hurricanes the win.

The Predators close out their preseason schedule on Monday at Tampa. All NHL teams must submit final rosters by 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 7.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com . Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators use last preseason game as final audition for defenseman Tanner Molendyk