The next faces of the Nashville Predators are on the cusp of taking the next step.
Some skaters have been fortunate to get a taste of the NHL this season while others continue to grind their way and blossom into men the organization envisions them to be.
In the blink of an eye forward Zachary L’Heureux has played 45 games with Nashville while defenseman Spencer Stastney has appeared in seven games this season.
The former Halifax Moosehead said for the current junior players to finish out on the right step and play well in front of any Nashville brass that shows up to watch.
“A lot of those guys are in their last year of junior, just enjoy it,” L’Heureux said. “Going into my last year I knew that I could be a dominant player and I really wanted to set myself up for the professional level so that way when I showed up they knew I’d be ready to play. For those guys, they need to think about the season and not worry about next year.”
So, how have some of these prospects been this season up on the blue line?
Tanner Molendyk (24th Overall, 2023)
After spending the last four years with the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL, Tanner Molendyk was traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers on Jan. 6. In return for Molendyk and Misha Volotovskii, Saskatoon acquired five draft picks along with prospects Hayden Harsanyi and Jack Kachkowski.
It was an anticipated departure after having discussions with Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner. Since the move Molendyk has done well with the Tigers scoring 14 points in 15 games.
“I’ve been added to another group of good guys which is huge and we went on a huge tear there for a bit. I haven’t had a lot of change in the last little bit but it’s nice,” Molendyk said.
Saskatoon was a second home for Molendyk as he developed into the player he is today and grew into a young adult.
This season Molendyk made his first appearance at the World Junior Championships for Team Canada and played with fellow Nashville prospect Andrew Gibson. The duo also spent a lot of time together during training camp with the Predators.
“We had some chemistry from rookie camp. We played well and took on top guys there which was cool,” Molendyk said. “We got to know each other a lot better. You’ve seen the kind of player he is. He plays a big game which is easy for me to play with and it was a lot of fun.”
Molendyk was treated to Gibson’s puck-moving ability and hard-nosed demeanor, taking no prisoners if he delivered a heavy check to knock an opponent off the puck.
“He makes the right plays and is an unreal skater. We raced in practice and one time he beat me but we don’t talk about that,” Molendyk said. “It comes down to hockey sense and his is high.”
Back in the WHL Molendyk has been entrusted with more responsibilities as an offensive D-man. He’s been put in all situations and was used to playing 30 minutes a night for the Blades.
“Since I got to [Medicine Hat] it’s toned down a bit and the D-corps is really good. I find myself playing in all roles which is cool but you take on that leadership role which is growing lately for me,” Molendyk said who wears an ‘A’ for the Tigers.
As far as making his professional debut goes this spring that’s not something he’s thought too much about after back-to-back Conference Final losses in the WHL postseason.
“I came back and wanted to finish it off. I want to get a championship hopefully under my belt which would be nice,” Molendyk said.
A specific trait in his game didn’t come to mind in terms of what he’s improved this season. It’s mainly been about being consistent in the small details before making the next leap to either Milwaukee or Nashville.
Andrew Gibson (42nd Overall, 2023) – Acquired from Detroit
After his first productive training camp with Nashville Andrew Gibson has been a stalwart on the blue line at the junior level in his third full season.
He was moved from the Soo Greyhounds to the Oshawa Generals on Jan. 7 for a skater and eight draft picks.
“Yeah, the Greyhounds weren’t doing so well and an opportunity arose with a better team that wanted me,” Gibson said. “It benefits my hockey career and it benefits the Greyhounds as well getting all of those picks and a prospect. I’m forever grateful for the Greyhounds and what they did for me. Can’t thank the city enough and all the positivity there was.”
Looking back at his time playing in WJC for Team Canada he once again got to play with Molendyk after seeing him back in Nashville for camp. Needless to say, he was excited to take advantage of skating with an uber-talented defenseman.
“We both have a good 200-foot game and I think with his skating and offensive ability and my defensive abilities I think we can power right through and go up together and have a long career together,” Gibson said. “He’s a great player to play with, he makes my life easier and I think we feed off each other’s energy and we play well.”
Gibson has honed in on taking roles and responsibilities seriously as a junior hockey player.
Before he joined the Greyhounds in 2022 he was stuck at home during the pandemic building muscle and preparing his body to be a difference-maker right out of the gates. Having his parent’s genetics was helpful as well for the budding D-man.
“During Covid when we weren’t allowed to skate that was when I turned 15. That whole year I didn’t go on the ice and I worked out twice a day and ate my mom’s meals and I put on 35 pounds in a year from 15-16. I was up to 200 pounds as a 16-year-old and then I cut down on some of the muscle mass to play hockey. I’m right back up and that jolted me ahead in training with the guys in Windsor.”
Based on the foundation he built it was a no-brainer to take a look at a two-way defender in the 2023 draft. The Red Wings picked him but one summer later the Predators surrendered Jesse Kiiskinen and a 2024 second round pick to acquire the Windsor, Ontario native.
“To see they have a lot of confidence in me and my abilities, they’ve been very positive with me and given me a lot of feedback,” Gibson said of Nashville. “That’s what matters the most – that relationship that’s tight and that they’re willing to go out of their way to help with whatever I need.”
Along with his brute strength, Gibson takes a lot of pride in blocking shots and killing penalties. He’ll put all he has on the line to excel defensively. For him that’s blocking shots or vaulting himself into attacking players.
Those are the facets of his game that he wants to be revered for.
“Blocking shots is just as important to me as a big-time goal. If a team can come together and play hard, block shots, and play like that I think that’s what championship teams need. I’m willing to do that and doing what it takes it win,” Gibson said.
Ryan Ufko (115th Overall, 2021)
Down in Milwaukee, the Predators organization is continuing to acclimate Ryan Ufko. To this point, the former UMass-Amherst D-man has enjoyed playing in more games and being tasked with more aggressive net-front battles.
“Being undersized I’m always trying to use my brain, think one step ahead to give myself the best advantage whether that be positionally or trying to anticipate certain plays,” Ufko said. “I feel like I’ve been working on that a lot with the staff and that’s something I want to build on.”
Away from the ice Admirals head coach Karl Taylor has been instrumental – not only with Ufko – in looking back at video from games and being as thorough as possible to address gaffes and give praise where it’s due.
“Not all coaches do that. Him doing that to break down video and to take the time to give me those pointers or comments he has during games too that’s something I can always do to help my game,” Ufko said.
With Nashville addressing injuries on the blue line and having to recall Ufko’s linemates he’s adjusted on the fly but to him, it’s smooth sailing.
“Whoever is here we’re going to play the same way, we have the same style. Nothing really changes, it doesn’t matter who is in and who is out,” Ufko said. “We’re going to try and win every game and that’s the mindset we have.”
When Milwaukee has dressed their intended lineup with more of a veteran presence Ufko has seen time skating with Marc Del Gaizo and Kevin Gravel. He’s fond to how vocal they’ve been with him and passing along wisdom as he develops his game.
“Gravel being the captain he has so much experience here. He’s good at what he does and is hard to play against,” Ufko said. “Being able to play with him has made me happy. Marc is dynamic, you can tell he’s been in the NHL and how good he is at the little details.”
Ufko has 16 points this season and when things have clicked for he D-man at the professional level he’s been on top of his skating.
“For me personally it’s when I’m using my feet a lot and skating with the puck or skating on the defensive side of the ice,” Ufko said. “A lot of teams and defensemen are trying to kill plays with their feet skating forward with angling other than just skating backward. Breaking out the puck is a big part of the game that can determine if you spend time in the defensive zone.”
As Ufko continues his progress in the AHL he hopes his skating only becomes better and allows him to create the smartest plays possible and elevate the overall play of the team.
Listen to the podcast version right here with Tanner Molendyk and Andrew Gibson.
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