Oesterle began the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but was thrust into a role with Boston this season due to injuries on their blueline. The 32-year-old defenseman averaged 17:36 time-on-ice and scored six points (1G / 5A) in 22 games with Boston this season.
Vrana had only cracked the Capitals' lineup once since early January and had been placed on waivers on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Vrana is averaging only 9:50 time-on-ice and has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 26 games this season and could get a more prominent role on a Predators team struggling offensively.
Bunting was acquired by the Predators in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday but will have to wait a little longer before making his debut with the team as he continues recovering from an appendectomy. The 29-year-old Bunting had 29 points (14G / 15A) and a -18 plus/minus rating in 58 games with Pittsburgh this season.
The Predators are coming off a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, where Saros saved 18 of 21 shots (.857 SV%), and will roll with him between the pipes on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 29-year-old Saros is amid the worst season of his career, posting a 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% in 46 games (14-25-6). The Predators enter the action on Thursday as -124 home favorites against a Kraken team that traded away two key offensive players, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde, to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.
Wiesblatt made his NHL debut earlier this season, played three games with the Predators, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 22-year-old forward has 32 points (14G / 18A) in 51 AHL games with Milwaukee this season.
Bunting is currently injured after undergoing an appendectomy last week. The 29-year-old Bunting's tenure as a Penguin comes to an end after just 79 games with the franchise, where he tallied 20 goals and 28 assists.
Vrana has only cracked the Capitals' lineup once since early January and has been placed on waivers. The 29-year-old Vrana is averaging only 9:50 time-on-ice and has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 26 games this season.
Barron will take a seat on Tuesday as the Predators opt to dress just six defencemen. Mark Jankowski (upper-body) will draw into the lineup in his place.
Svechkov draws right back into the Preds lineup after being a healthy scratch in New York on Sunday. Svechkov has six goals and three assists in 30 games this season.
Jankowski will make his first appearance since February 23rd when the Predators travel to Boston on Tuesday. Justin Barron will sit in his place.
The Predators have been outscored 11-4 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0) and will turn to Saros between the pipes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Saros has allowed four or more goals in four of his last six games (2-4-0), posting a .880 SV%. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.96 GAA and .898 SV% in 45 games this season (13-25-6). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Bruins squad without Brad Marchand (upper body).
Willis was a fourth-round pick, 111th overall, of the Nashville Predators in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has 44 points (21G / 23A) in 38 OHL games between the Saginaw Spirit and the Kingston Frontenacs this season.
