This marks the second time the Predators have hosted the NHL Prospects Showcase and first since 2014. In that event, the Predators welcomed the Lightning, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins to town in conjunction with the grand opening of Ford Ice Center Antioch. It's the 10th time in the last 11 rookie camps that Predators prospects will play games against a fellow Sun Belt franchise, and the sixth time in the last seven camps that a team of rookies will compete in a showcase. Last season, the Predators traveled to Estero, Fla., for games against prospects from Washington and Tampa Bay, and in 2017, Nashville hosted the Lightning's prospects in a three-game series at Ford Ice Center after the scheduled tournament at Hertz Arena was canceled due to Hurricane Irma. Nashville prospects have also played two-game sets against Florida (2011 and 2010), Atlanta (2008 and 2009) and Columbus (2002 and 2003). In the franchise's first four seasons (1998-2001), Predators prospects competed in the Traverse City Rookie Tournament.
The Predators team, which will be comprised of signed and unsigned draft picks and free-agent signings, will be coached by Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville's AHL affiliate) Head Coach Karl Taylor and Assistant Coaches Scott Ford and Greg Rallo. Among the 24 players scheduled to participate are first-round draft picks Philip Tomasino (2019, 24th overall), Eeli Tolvanen (2017, 30th overall) and Dante Fabbro (2016, 17th overall). Also taking part in the showcase will be 2016 third-round pick Rem Pitlick and 2019 second-round pick Egor Afanasyev; defenseman Jeremy Davies and goaltender Connor Ingram, who were acquired via trade this offseason; and Milwaukee Admirals standouts Alexandre Carrier, Anthony Richard, Frederic Allard and Yakov Trenin.
The NHL Prospects Showcase precedes the opening of Nashville's 2019 Training Camp, which begins Thursday, Sept. 12 with physicals and team meetings. The Predators' first day on the ice will be Friday, Sept. 13, at Centennial Sportsplex, with six preseason contests scheduled from Sept. 16-27, including four at Bridgestone Arena (doubleheader on Sept. 16 vs. Florida, Sept. 21 vs. Tampa Bay and Sept. 25 vs. Carolina).
The schedule for the NHL Prospects Showcase and Nashville's rookie camp is below. A Predators rookie camp roster may be seen by
clicking here
.
Thursday, Sept. 5
1 p.m. CT Nashville prospects practice Centennial Sportsplex
Friday, Sept. 6
1 p.m. CT Nashville prospects practice Centennial Sportsplex
Saturday, Sept. 7
1 p.m. CT Washington vs. Carolina Ford Ice Center Antioch
4 p.m. CT Tampa Bay vs. Nashville Ford Ice Center Antioch
Sunday, Sept. 8
1 p.m. CT Nashville vs. Washington Ford Ice Center Antioch
4 p.m. CT Tampa Bay vs. Carolina Ford Ice Center Antioch
Monday, Sept. 9
Day off
Tuesday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. CT Washington vs. Tampa Bay Ford Ice Center Antioch
1 p.m. CT Nashville vs. Carolina Ford Ice Center Antioch
