Who makes the final 23? Nashville Predators roster predictions ahead of home opener

The Nashville Predators face a roster crunch as they prepare to open their season at home against the Minnesota Wild on October 1. Coach Andrew Brunette must whittle his team down from 31 players to a 23-man roster. After a tough preseason camp, the coach must make some difficult decisions.

Based on recent performances, a clear picture has emerged of the 18 players who are certain to make the final roster. For the forwards position, 10 players are locked in: Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, Matthew Wood, Mavrik Bourque, Jonathan Marchessault, Jack Drury, Ross Colton, Nils Hoglander, and Alex Kerfoot. The defense also has six players certain to make the squad: Roman Josi, Brady Skjei, Nicolas Hague, Ryan Ufko, Adam Wilsby, and Ilya Lyubushkin. The goaltending corps is also set, with Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen as the locks.

The next four roster spots will determine who finally makes the cut. The Predators need two more forwards and two defensemen. Given these requirements, the next four in line are considered safe bets. For the forwards, Brady Martin and Vitali Pinchuk are highly likely to make the roster. Pinchuk, the team's top pick in 2025, has shown versatility and offensive skills. The final forward spot will likely go to either Brady Martin or Vitali Pinchuk, as both offer unique strengths.

The final position battle between Reid Schaefer and Adam Edstrom will decide the 13th forward spot. Both players have similar skill sets and would need to clear waivers, making this a tough decision to make. Meanwhile, eight players are projected to miss the cut. These players, including Adam Edstrom, Cole O'Hara, Felix Nilsson, and Tyson Jost, among others, will likely start the season in the American Hockey League and return only if needed.