How will Nashville Predators line up? Our way-too-early predictions for forward combinations

It's way too early to predict what forward line combinations coach Andrew Brunette might assemble for the Nashville Predators.

Training camp doesn't open for another month and the home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets isn't until Oct.

9.But given that the NHL's offseason is all but over, the Predators' 2025-26 roster is set.

Their additions and subtractions are complete: Forward Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon are out; forward Eric Haula and defensemen Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix are in.

Everyone else from last season is back.That includes Brunette, who was given a vote of confidence from general manager Barry Trotz during the summer.

Given that Brunette will need to prove he's the man to get Nashville back to the playoffs, here's how he could line up the Predators at forward this season.Line 1: Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, Jonathan Marchessault The only lock among forward pairings is Filip Forsberg playing with Ryan O'Reilly.

Last year, those two led the Predators in even-strength minutes together (476) and had decent production along the way.

The most likely winger to finish the line is Jonathan Marchessault, who should be motivated to prove last year was a fluke.Brunette may treat the RW1 spot as a "juicer" of sorts.

Need to squeeze some juice out of someone who's run dry? Get someone going on offense? Put him with Forsberg and O'Reilly.

Marchessault is the best candidate for that early on.

HOT START? Why Nashville Predators must begin 2025-26 season on a hot streak, and what might helpLine 2: Steven Stamkos, Fedor Svechkov, Luke EvangelistaThe Predators seem committed to not putting Stamkos at center this season.

He played there last year out of necessity, but it meant more passing and less shooting, reducing his overall effectiveness.

Thus, the team likely will rely on 22-year-old Fedor Svechkov as the second-line center.Svechkov had eight goals and nine assists in 52 games last season, skating less than 13 minutes per game.

He has developed into a defensively responsible pivot, but will need a big-time jump in offensive production.

Can he improve his on-puck work enough to give Stamkos some good looks? The Predators seem to think so Trotz has mentioned more than once the idea of pairing Svechkov and Stamkos together.Luke Evangelista, who should get a contract sometime before training camp, also will need a rebound from his 10-goal, 22-assist season.Line 3: Michael Bunting, Erik Haula, Joakim Kemell The bottom half of Nashville's lineup is a potpourri of skill, size and speed.

The only newcomer is 34-year-old Erik Haula, a center/wing hybrid.

Though most of his best hockey is behind him, he likely will play third-line center initially.Michael Bunting came over from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in March, scoring five goals and four assists in 18 games with Nashville.

His forechecking ability balances well with Haula's back-end game, but who plays at RW3? Give the edge to winger Joakim Kemell, the Predators' 2022 first-round pick.

Matthew Wood's NHL trial run to end last season suggests he needs a year in the American Hockey League, where Kemell has been seasoning since 2023.

With 41 goals in 146 AHL games, it's time to see what he can bring to an NHL lineup.ETA ON DRAFT PICKS: When can we expect to see Nashville Predators' 2025 draft class? Line 4: Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, Zach L'Heureux Cole Smith and Michael McCarron seem fated to another year on the fourth line together.

Two years ago, when paired with Kiefer Sherwood, that unit was electric and generated a surprising amount of offense.

Last season, with Sherwood in Vancouver, not so much.Zach L'Heureux doesn't have Sherwood's speed, but he fits here nicely.

This line should be a forechecking menace, called upon to drive opponents back, get an offensive whistle and clear the way for the Predators' top scorers.Two forwards who didn't make the cut in this prediction are Ozzy Wiesblatt and Reid Schaefer.

Both are young wingers who could impress in training camp but are most likely injury replacements at this point.Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean.

Contact Alex at [email protected].

Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1.

Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How will the Predators line up? Our way-too-early forward combinations.

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article.