Preds Notes & Quotes: Training Camp Day 2

Nashville Predators training camp presented by Vanderbilt Health continued Saturday with a full morning of practices and scrimmages at Centennial Sportsplex. Hear from the players themselves as they discuss some of the biggest storylines at camp, from position battles to roster shake-ups and more.

Switching It Up
Head Coach John Hynes called defenseman Mattias Ekholm personally over the summer when he learned that the Preds might trade for two-time Stanley Cup champion Ryan McDonagh to get his thoughts on the move and find out if he would be comfortable playing on his off side if the two were to play on a pairing together. Ekholm's reaction?
"If we can get a player like McDonagh on our team, absolutely."
Ekholm and McDonagh have been practicing together during training camp with Ekholm on the right side, and the returns have been positive so far.
"I think we're kind of the same," Ekholm said. "Not the same player, but we tend to want to play the same way and are responsible. So, I think it's a really good match… Hopefully, we both can help each other to grow our game both offensively and defensively and create some chemistry. That's about what we have to do to get going because I know he can contribute offensively as well. So hopefully we both can feed off each other."
While Ekholm has spent the previous two seasons acting as a mentor and anchoring pairs with younger, less experienced defensemen, he welcomes the opportunity to play opposite another accomplished veteran - even if it is on his off side.
"[McDonagh] is a steady veteran," Ekholm said. "Just really good defensive reads and the way he positions himself as a good skater, hard to go by for forwards. So, for me on the other side with him, it has been a pleasure so far to play with him. I think his track record speaks for itself. So, it's everything that I expected."

Reunited and It Feels So Good
When the Predators signed free-agent winger Nino Niederreiter over the summer, few people were more excited than Ryan Johansen.
The two are close friends, having played junior hockey together over a decade ago with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. Johansen was selected fourth overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Niederreiter went next at fifth overall to the New York Islanders.
"It's so cool," Johansen said with a smile. "You know, it's so weird seeing [Niederreiter] every day because we were the best of friends when we were 17 and 18 years old. Then we lost touch kind of throughout the NHL; we'd see each other here and there but don't really spend time together, and now we're spending time [together] all day long again. It's funny seeing him every morning - we both kind of giggle every time we see each other. But it's been a lot of fun. I love that guy. And he's going to fit in really well."
When asked what Niederreiter brings to the Predators on and off the ice, Johansen spoke highly of his potential linemate on the top six.
"He's an established player," Johansen said. "He's a big power forward that goes in hard and scores goals. He's a reliable, trustworthy, hard player and a guy every team wants on their team… [He] fits in the room really well. Tremendous guy. And so it's been fun."

Competition in the Crease
Nashville's goaltending depth has been a frequent point of discussion heading into training camp, particularly with the Preds inking Kevin Lankinen to a one-year deal in July. While Lankinen was presumably signed to fill the primary backup role behind starter Juuse Saros, he knows he won't be given that role unless he earns it.
"Being a goalie - especially an NHL goalie - there's always pressure on you," Lankinen said Saturday. "Every new day, every new season, every game, you've got to prove yourself all over again. So this camp is nothing new. You come into camp and you've got to earn your spot on a team, that's for sure."
Lankinen joins an already-deep goaltending core that includes Connor Ingram - who gained valuable NHL playoff experience last season while Saros was out with an injury - Devin Cooley and top prospect Yaroslav Askarov. While this stiffens the competition between the pipes, Lankinen feels confident entering camp with his new team.
"I feel great," Lankinen said. "I'm confident. I've been working hard this summer. I had a good couple years of gaining confidence and getting to know the League, getting to know the players, and I'm really confident coming into camp."
Of course, having former Predators goaltender - and fellow Finn - Pekka Rinne rejoin the organization as a Special Alumni Advisor at the start of training camp was a treat for Lankinen as well.
"It's pretty cool," Lankinen said, grinning. "You see how much the guys respect him. I'm just getting to know him a little bit. So, I've got a lot of respect for him, too. He was one of my idols growing up back home in Finland. I used to watch him play a lot - I used to watch the Preds when he was there. He has been such a good idol and mentor not just for me, but a lot of young goaltenders in Finland and all over the world as well."
The Predators will practice and scrimmage again Sunday before opening the preseason with a doubleheader against the Florida Panthers Monday at Bridgestone Arena. Free tickets to Monday's games are available
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