Wood was a healthy scratch for the Predators' first game of the season and will likely get some playing time in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals. The 20-year-old forward scored one point (0G / 1A) in his first six NHL games last season.

Prolonged contract negotiations that didn't warrant a new contract for Evangelista until last week kept him out of the lineup in Nashville's season-opener on Thursday, but he will suit up on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The 23-year-old Evangelista had 32 points (10G / 22A) in 68 games last season.

Wiesblatt made his NHL debut with Nashville last season, recording one assist in five games, and hopes to be a more regular NHLer in the 2025-26 season. He took warmups with the team on Thursday but will not be on the opening night roster. The 23-year-old forward was San Jose's 31st-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The Predators will of course turn to their franchise netminder between the pipes when they host the Blue Jackets in their season opener on Thursday. Saros will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old finished the campaign with a 20-31-6 record to go along with an .895 SV% and 2.98 GAA. Luckily for Saros, he draws a favourable matchup on opening night, as the Predators enter action at -120 on the money line.

Wiesblatt made his NHL debut with Nashville last season, recording one assist in five games, and hopes to be a more regular NHLer in the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old forward was San Jose's 31st-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

After one season in Carolina, 27-year-old Tyson Jost will head to Nashville after being claimed off waivers from Carolina on Wednesday. Jost was once a 10th overall pick (2016) and has appeared with four different organizations across his nine-year NHL career. In 39 appearances with Carolina in 2024-25, he had four goals, nine points and 33 PIMs.

Wood was hoping to make Nashville's opening night roster out of training camp, but is now out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old forward was Nashville's 2023 1st round pick (15th overall) and is regarded as one of their top prospects after putting up 17 goals and 39 points in 39 games with the University of Minnesota (NCAA) last season.

Hague was acquired from Vegas in the offseason and then signed to a four-year, $22 million contract by the Predators, but will have to wait to make his debut after it was announced he is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with an upper-body injury. Hague was originally paired with Roman Josi to start training camp and will mark a massive loss for the Predators early. The 26-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season after putting up five goals, 12 points and 40 PIMs in 68 games played last season.

Martin was the 5th overall selection in this year's NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Nashville on Wednesday. The 18-year-old center saw his draft stock skyrocket in 2024-25 after an impressive 33-goal, 72-point campaign with the Soo Greyhounds (OHL). He will compete for a spot on Nashville's roster to start the 2025-26 season, but is expected to return to the Soo for the majority of the season.

Jost was an effective depth player for the Hurricanes last season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 39 games, and will return on a one-year, two-way contract. The 27-year-old NHL veteran has 149 points (61G / 88A) in 495 career games.

In a market desperate for right-handed defenseman, Perbix was a sought-after free agent who opted to sign a two-year deal for $2.75 million AAV with the Predators. The 27-year-old Perbix scored 63 points (13G / 50A) in 220 career games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Minutes after being acquired from Vegas in a trade for Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon, Nashville has signed Nicolas Hague to a four-year, $22 million contract extension ($5.5 million AAV). The 26-year-old appeared in 68 games for Vegas in his sixth season with the Golden Knights, picking up five goals, 12 points and 40 PIMs.

Minutes after being acquired from Vegas in a trade for Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon, Nashville signed Nicolas Hague to a four-year, $22 million contract extension ($5.5 million AAV). The 26-year-old appeared in 68 games for Vegas in his sixth season with the Golden Knights, picking up five goals, 12 points and 40 PIMs.

After three seasons with the Devils, Haula has been traded to Nashville, where he played during the 2021 season. Haula has one more year left on a three-year deal that carries a $3.15M AAV cap-hit. The 34-year-old forward had 11 goals and 10 assists (21 points) in 69 games last season.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing. Since suffering a concussion, Josi had been dealing with headaches. Josi was reported to be worried that the concussions had damaged his brain; however, a check-up revealed that his brain was fine but that he was suffering from POTS, which can cause headaches and fatigue. Since the diagnosis, Josi has undergone intensive therapy and is feeling "much better." Josi believes he'll be back at 100 percent for the 2025-26 season.

Ufko will rejoin the Admirals after making his NHL debut on Monday. Andres Englund (illness) will draw back into the Preds lineup on Wednesday.