Predators Keep Options Open for Forward Spots

Only a few days before the start of the regular season, Predators coaches and management were still wrestling with roster moves on Monday. Goaltending and defense are set. But there are still plenty of questions at forward, ones that need to be answered no later than 2 p.m. Wednesday, when NHL rosters need to be set.

The Predators currently have 27 players, but that includes injured forwards Steve Sullivan and Jed Ortmeyer, who will begin the season on injured reserve. Nashville would like to carry 22 players, so it's possible that as many as three more forwards will be reassigned to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

What we know so far is that prospect forward Patric Hornqvist has all but officially secured a spot, and that he's likely to begin the season on the top offensive line along with J.P. Dumont and Jason Arnott. Hornqvist scored only once during the preseason, but created a number of chances and has a goal-scoring track record in the Swedish elite league. "I would say he's pretty safe, based on the fact he plays a pro-style game,'' Coach Barry Trotz said. "He hasn't scored a lot, but he hunts down the puck and makes quality plays. I think he leads the team in shots, so there's a good feeling he's going to be able to adjust.''

Other issues that still need to be sorted out:

Who fills out the second line? David Legwand and Martin Erat are givens, but who's the third player?

Prospect forward Ryan Jones looked good at times here during the preseason, but the Predators have to decide if he's ready to handle that position on a regular basis. And if he's not playing on a skilled line in the NHL, would he be better off getting quality time in the AHL?

If Jones doesn't start the season on that line, versatile Rich Peverley could be an option. Other possibilities would be Jordin Tootoo or Vern Fiddler.

Will any other prospects stick? Antti Pihlstrom still looks like he has a good chance, as the Predators are intrigued by the possibility of an army-ant line of Pihlstrom, Scott Nichol and Tootoo.

Joel Ward may have had a better camp than Pihlstrom, but the Predators know more about Pihlstrom because he's been in the organization.

Will Nick Tarnasky be ready to start the season? Trotz said the team's new tough guy could probably play if he had to. But Tarnasky is still wearing a splint on his broken thumb, which would obviously be a drawback if he planned to drop the gloves.

If Tarnasky can't start the season, Josh Gratton may end up staying on the NHL roster.

Center Radek Bonk (hip flexor) looks like he'll be ready for the opener.

Will there be any new faces added before Friday's season opener? One reason the Predators are likely to trim the roster to 22 is to leave one spot open in case they decide to make a trade or pluck a player off waivers in the next day or two.

General Manager David Poile said no one on Monday's waiver wire interested him, but today could bring some bigger names. "There seem to be some teams that have extra players or players they don't want, so there's been a little more talk among general managers in terms of possibilities,'' Poile said. "But for the most part, I think I'd like to make decisions within our organization. We've come this far, and we're looking to give these players a chance that we said we would.''

From The Tennessean