After a 6-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Nashville Predators have further trimmed their roster down.
Zachary L’Heureux, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Adam Wilsby & Nick Blankenburg have been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Blankenburg is driving himself there in anticipation of clearing waivers by 1 p.m. CT tomorrow & playing for the Admirals.
“Kind of sorry to see them go, it’s just the numbers we’re at right now,” head coach Andrew Brunette said. “They made a good first impression last year & this year they accelerated a little & showed they’re ready to play at this level. They’re a little disappointed but organizationally to have that depth is good.”
Defensemen Marc Del Gaizo & Tanner Molendyk are still with the team as Spencer Stastney remains absent due to personal reasons. Nashville has an opportunity to see what Molendyk has in the NHL if they opt to keep him around.
“He’s an elite skater & has that separation skill. He’s very composed for a young man,” Brunette said. “No moments seem too big for him. He has lots of poise & he’s making a great impression at camp.”
If he were to start the season in the NHL Nashville could keep him for nine games if they don’t want to burn a year on his entry-level deal. A year counts against him if he skates in a tenth contest.
To this point, the 19-year-old feels confident and continues to build on that mentality every day he remains in Nashville. He’ll presumably have two more preseason games before knowing if he’ll be hanging around.
“keep moving my feet & show them what I can do & show that I belong here,” Molendyk said.
At times during this training camp, Molendyk has been alongside veteran Luke Schenn. He’s picked up on some things from Schenn & always listened to him.
“The biggest thing with him is he always has something to say & always helps me out,” Molendyk said. “He’s been in this league for I don’t know how many years but he’s got lots to say & lots to help with.”
This time around at training camp Molendyk has felt more comfortable in his skin as he’s gone through what the Predators organization has asked of him. During practices, he’s even had moments of shutting down some of Nashville’s most skilled forwards.
“Little things like working on my gapping & closing things off before they get in your zone,” Molendyk said. “I think last year, it may have been nerves or getting up to the pace but this year I’ve caught up to that.”
Molendyk feels he still has some work to do on his 200-foot game but overarchingly feels good about his play in preseason games & practices.
“The offensive side is growing – I think I showed that in the WHL last year – there are still a few things [in mind] I have to work on,” Molendyk said.
At this stage of camp Brunette said the Predators are in the dog days as things begin to wind down with the season opener against the Dallas Stars inching closer. It’s all a balance between himself & the veterans on the roster.
“They’re tired of hearing me & they’re tired of practices, they want to play games,” Brunette said. “So I think that’s a focal point of our coaching staff is to develop these practices where we keep the pace & still have the enthusiasm but at the same time work on the things we need to.”
Nashville plays two more preseason games. One at home on Saturday against Carolina & the last one on the road in Tampa Bay on Monday night.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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