- Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Guy Gadowsky announced today, per Penn State CommRadio’s Matt Becker, that star forward Aiden Fink has suffered an upper-body injury and will be out “foreseeable future.” Fink, 20, is a Nashville Predators prospect, selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft as Hall of Fame GM David Poile’s final draft pick in charge of the club. Fink was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award last season after he scored 53 points in just 40 games, leading Penn State to its most successful season in program history. He had scored nine points through nine games this season, but now sees his momentum stopped as he’ll need to recover from this upper-body injury before he can hit the ice again.
Predators Rumors
Canucks Believed To Have Inquired About Steven Stamkos
The Canucks have long been searching for extra help down the middle, a need amplified by the latest injury to Filip Chytil. To that end, Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic recently reported (audio link) that he has been told that Vancouver has kicked the tires on Predators forward Steven Stamkos as they continue to cast a wide net in their search for a center.
Stamkos was one of Nashville’s splashy signings in the 2024 offseason, a summer that also saw GM Barry Trotz bring in winger Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei in the hopes of establishing themselves as a contender in a tough Central Division. While Marchessault has worked out reasonably well so far (though underachieving relative to expectations), the other two haven’t.
Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year, $32MM pact, signed with the belief that he could still be a steady scorer away from Tampa Bay where he spent the first 16 years of his career. However, after putting up 40 goals and 81 points in his final season with the Lightning, the 35-year-old managed just 27 goals and 53 points last season. This year, he’s off to a much slower start, managing just a goal and an assist through 13 outings.
It should be noted that on top of having a contract that looks to be well above market value with how he has played so far, Stamkos also has a full no-move clause. That means that even if the two teams could agree on a trade, he has full veto power if he doesn’t want to go there.
At this point, there’s no indication that Stamkos is interested in even considering a change of scenery. However, with how things went off the rails for the Preds last year, another quiet start this season, and his own struggles, it wouldn’t be shocking if he or the team decided to ponder the possibility.
Vancouver’s salary cap situation is quite tight; they’re nearly $2.8MM into LTIR, per PuckPedia. That means that the Canucks would need to match money to make a move work, something that could be mitigated in part by Nashville retaining salary. On the other hand, the Predators only have one retention slot remaining this season having already utilized them on Mattias Ekholm and Colton Sissons. Considering his value has dropped considerably, does it make sense to use that last slot (retaining several million dollars a year for multiple seasons) to elicit what would likely be a middling return? Or, would they be better off saving that last slot for someone else this season and revisiting the idea over the summer after those other two slots open back up?
While Stamkos is probably better off as a winger at this stage of his career, he has played with some regularity at center for the past few years after primarily playing the position before that. Given Vancouver’s need for help down the middle, he would certainly help there. However, considering how difficult it would be to make the cap fit work for the Canucks, Stamkos doesn’t seem like the most plausible of candidates at the moment. That said, they appear to be examining all possibilities as they look to upgrade the center position.
Cole Smith Out Three-To-Six Weeks With Upper-Body Injury
The Nashville Predators announced today that forward Cole Smith has suffered an upper-body injury and will be out with a three-to-six week recovery timeline. The Predators also announced that captain Roman Josi, who remains out on a week-to-week timeline with his own upper-body injury, has been placed on injured reserve.
Smith was limited to just 1:55 time-on-ice during the Predators’ victory over the Calgary Flames yesterday, leaving the game after he was on the receiving end of a hit from Flames grinder Ryan Lomberg. It’s an unfortunate development for Smith, who had started off the season well, scoring three goals in 13 games. Smith scored just four goals in all of 2024-25.
The 30-year-old winger is a player who has worked his way into a steady fourth-line NHL job as an undrafted former college free agent. While he’s never been much of an offensive producer, Smith brings valuable physicality and penalty-killing ability to the table. Smith has played a role Nashville’s the penalty kill dating back to 2022-23, his first full-time NHL campaign, and he took on a more central role there after the departures of Tanner Jeannot and later Yakov Trenin. Smith led all Predators forwards in short-handed ice time each of the last two seasons, and ranks second behind Michael McCarron through 13 games this season.
As a result, the loss of Smith for the next few weeks will be felt most prominently on the Predators’ penalty kill. Despite a poor all-around season, Nashville’s shorthanded operation ranked as the seventh-best in the NHL in 2024-25 and ranks sixth so far this season. This injury therefore costs one of the league’s top penalty kills one of its most important contributors.
Veteran Ryan O’Reilly ranks fifth among Predators forwards in short-handed ice time per game this season and could end up seeing his usage on that unit rise as a result of Smith’s injury. It’s also possible that a younger player such as Fedor Svechkov or Ozzy Wiesblatt, who have each seen sporadic use on the penalty kill, could get a longer look on the unit in Smith’s absence.
Looking at yesterday’s game as a clue, Wiesblatt took Smith’s spot alongside McCarron on the Predators’ top shorthanded unit after Smith left the game. He finished with just over two minutes of ice time on the penalty kill. That’s the most shorthanded ice time he’s played in a single NHL game so far in his young career, and it could indicate that Wiesblatt will get a chance to play that role moving forward while Smith recovers.
Steven Stamkos Fueling Speculation Amidst Slow Start
In an episode of the DMase, Vingan, & Daunic Podcast covering the Nashville Predators earlier this week, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet raised an intriguing situation. The insider voiced concerns with Steven Stamkos, wondering if at some point, he and the club could explore their options if things do not improve.
While it is easy to pile on with criticism of GM Barry Trotz for his frivolous spending for Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, adding two Stanley-Cup-winning 40-goal-scorers is hard to pass up. Although both were on the wrong side of 30 at time of signing, the Predators had reeled off a season exceeding expectations. Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist were amazing fits, so Trotz figured to add to the mix, going for one more push. Worse case, even if Stamkos and Marchessault did not maintain their scoring levels, they would be tremendous leaders.
Unfortunately, for Stamkos especially, things have gone even worse than reasonably expected. His 2024-25 production, 27 goals, 53 points, was at a rate not seen since being a teenager rookie in 2008-09. Stamkos’ -36, a career worst by far, was highly indicative of his declining ability at 5-on-5. At times, the first overall pick in 2008 looked uncomfortable, which is reasonable considering his perhaps unexpected new digs, but things never really improved.
And although it is still just October, Stamkos has not looked any better in 2025-26, with just one goal and two points in 9 games. He is no longer a center, playing along the likes of Fedor Svechkov and Luke Evangelista. Both are respectable young players, but it is such a far cry from Stamkos’ heyday in Tampa Bay. Stamkos is purely a power play specialist, and unfortunately, that has not even gone much to plan. The Predators have him teeing off in his regular spot, but are among the league’s worst on the man advantage.
Fans may criticize the former superstar, but at 35, he is what he is, and Stamkos’ production seems to be more a result of the team around him. With an elite playmaker, it is likely he could still be a 30+ goal scorer, but there is just no such to offer on the Preds’ roster. Nashville has had a respectable start so far, but much is on the back of goaltender Juuse Saros. They have a key test tonight vs Dallas, and getting Stamkos going is becoming an urgent matter.
While it remains pure speculation in terms of Stamkos at this point, his production is a major story for the Predators. If the team begins to fall in the standings again, it may become a serious conversation. With three more years at a $8MM cap hit, it would not be easy, but Stamkos is one of few players which have a level of respect where he could have ultimate say in his future; whether in Nashville, or beginning to seek an alternate destination, no matter how difficult such a move could be to execute.
Roman Josi Out Week-To-Week
The Predators will be without their captain and top defenseman for a little while. Team reporter Brooks Bratten relays (Twitter link) that Roman Josi is listed as out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He further clarified that this is not related to his diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome earlier this year.
The 35-year-old was off to a solid start to his season before the injury. Josi has played in eight games so far, picking up a goal and four assists while averaging over 24 minutes a night. As usual, he has played a big role on both special teams units while posting the best possession numbers of any regular Predators blueliner. He was injured in their last game on Thursday and while he returned to the game after missing part of the second period, clearly, the injury was more significant than originally thought.
Nashville has gotten off to an okay start to their season, picking up eight points in as many games as they look to rebound from a disastrous showing in 2024-25 when expectations were high following a summer spending spree. However, staying afloat in the tough Central Division will get a lot tougher without their top rearguard in the lineup.
However, it’s not all bad news on the back end for the Preds. Team broadcaster Max Herz notes (Twitter link) that defenseman Nicolas Hague appears to be set to be activated off injured reserve and make his team debut. Nashville acquired the blueliner from Vegas this summer, quickly signing him to a four-year, $22MM contract after that. He’s projected to play alongside Adam Wilsby on Nashville’s top pairing, subbing in where Josi typically lines up.
Predators Recall Matthew Wood
The Predators announced that winger Matthew Wood has been recalled from AHL Milwaukee. With two open roster spots, no corresponding transaction is required.
Wood, 20, lands an early-season call-up after an injury cost him his chance at making the opening night roster. Nashville’s fifth-ranked prospect and 2023 No. 15 overall pick dealt with a lower-body injury late in camp and was activated from season-opening injured reserve and reassigned to Milwaukee just under two weeks ago. The 6’4″ winger snagged one goal and a minus-one rating in the first two AHL appearances of his career in the meantime.
The Alberta native signed his entry-level deal at the tail end of last season after spending three years in the NCAA, transferring from UConn to Minnesota between his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a star on the Golden Gophers last year, tied for second on the team in scoring with a 17-22–39 line in 39 appearances, pairing well with a +19 rating. He helped guide the school to a Big 10 regular-season title and was part of the honorable mention conference All-Star Team.
After inking his ELC in late March, Wood reported to Nashville and debuted down the stretch. In six games for the Preds, he registered an assist and had eight shots on goal while averaging 11:35 of ice time per game. He’ll now get his second taste of NHL hockey as the Preds cycle their youth early in the year. Gone are other recent first-rounders, Joakim Kemell and Brady Martin, who started the season on the opening night roster. Kemell was sent down to Milwaukee last week while Martin, the reigning fifth overall pick, was returned to juniors yesterday.
The Preds are now back to rostering 13 forwards after spending most of the last 24 hours without carrying an extra one. Wood will draw into the lineup for tonight’s game against the Canucks, head coach Andrew Brunette said (via Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean). Jonathan Marchessault remains on the active roster but will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury, according to the club’s Brooks Bratten.
Predators Assign Brady Martin To OHL
The Predators announced Wednesday that they’ve assigned center Brady Martin to the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. They now have two open roster spots, although roster considerations aren’t playing a factor in this move.
Martin, 18, has seen his stock rise more than most prospects over the past year. Viewed as a late first-round selection early in 2024-25, he rocketed his way up draft boards enough to earn the call at fifth overall from Nashville. That was fueled by an offensive explosion in juniors from the physical pivot, who produced 33 goals and 72 points in 57 games for the Greyhounds after recording just 10 goals and 28 points in 52 games the year prior.
That carried over into the preseason, where Martin converted a two-goal, one-assist performance in four games into a spot on Nashville’s opening roster submission. Initially, it looked like he would get quite a long leash. Martin started the opener on the top line with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly, but only factoring in at even strength meant he only averaged 12:42 of ice time through a pair of games, recording an assist and an even rating, before the Predators scratched him in what they referred to as a preset development plan. Martin ended up sitting in the press box for four straight before re-entering the lineup for last night’s loss to the Ducks. He only skated 10:51 but managed his first two career shots on goal, along with one block and going 2-for-6 on faceoffs.
Yet Martin, still a raw prospect, needs playing time more than anything else. He’ll get that now in spades in Sault Ste. Marie, where he’ll be their top skater and should aim to be among the OHL’s leading scorers at season’s end, at least in terms of points per game. The demotion to the Greyhounds is permanent for the remainder of 2025-26, save for an extremely rare emergency exception in a catastrophic injury situation or until the Soo’s season comes to an end.
Martin still checks in as the Preds’ No. 1 prospect and is the highest-ceiling middle-man they’ve developed in-house in years. After another close-to-full season of development in juniors, he’ll be given plenty of leeway to secure a more permanent slot in Nashville’s forward group to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Since Martin played fewer than 10 games before being sent back to juniors, his entry-level contract will not take effect this season and will not count toward Nashville’s 50-contract limit. He is now on track to reach restricted free agency in 2029 with an additional four years of team control after that. He still earns his $97,500 signing bonus for 2025-26, bringing his cap hit down from $975,000 to $942,500 for next year.
A corresponding recall in the coming days should still be expected. With Martin no longer in the picture, the Predators aren’t carrying any extra forwards with them. As things stand, they’ll need to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Canucks tomorrow if Jonathan Marchessault, who’s missed the last two games with a lower-body issue, can’t play.
Marchessault Day-To-Day With Lower-Body Injury
- Prior to tonight’s game against Anaheim, the Predators announced (Twitter link) that winger Jonathan Marchessault is dealing with a lower-body injury and is listed as out day-to-day. The 34-year-old is off to a solid start to his campaign, collecting two goals and two assists in the first five games, good for a share of the team lead in points heading into tonight’s action. Brady Martin suited up in his third game of the season in Marchessault’s absence; he can play in nine NHL games total before officially activating the first season of his entry-level contract.
Latest On Nicolas Hague
The Nashville Predators were dealt a blow in the preseason when defenseman Nicolas Hague suffered an upper-body injury, but the team has adapted well to his absence. The club is off to a solid 2-2-2 start, a notable improvement from where they began last year, and now they’re set to get Hague back from his injury. The Tennessean’s Alex Daugherty noted today that it’s been four weeks since Hague was originally ruled out and prescribed a four-to-six week recovery timeline, and he added that one shouldn’t be surprised if Hague returns to the lineup at some point this week. Later in the day, Daugherty reported that Hague was on the ice for the Predators’ practice, further underscoring the likelihood that his return is coming sooner rather than later.
Evening Notes: Dubois, Marchessault, Lowry
Washington Capitals centerman Pierre-Luc Dubois donned a non-contact jersey for a second-straight practice on Friday. He won’t be ready for Washington’s Sunday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, but could return on Tuesday, head coach Spencer Carbery told Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson. Dubois has been day-to-day with a lower-body injury for much of the last week.
Dubois appeared in three games before sustaining his injury. His only notable stat changes came in the form of five shots on net, two hits, and a plus-one. He continued to serve as a top-six center for the Capitals, centering Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson. Washington has turned towards Connor McMichael to fill that role in Dubois’ absence. McMichael has one point – his first of the year – and a plus-one in the relief role. That scoring surely won’t be enough to command Dubois’ spot once he’s back to full health. Dubois should be expected to return in the coming week, and continue his hunt for his first score of the year.
Other notes from around the NHL:
- Winger Jonathan Marchessault sat out of the Nashville Predators’ Saturday matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. He is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, per a team announcement. Nashville opted to ice seven defensemen in the matchup – pulling defender Nick Blackenburg into the lineup. They went on to lose by a score of 1-4. Marchessault is tied for the Predators’ lead in scoring with four points through five games this season. He finished second on the team in scoring last season, with 56 points in 78 game placing him behind only Filip Forsberg, who scored 76 points in 82 games. That standing will make Marchessault’s absence quickly felt, even if he’s only out for the short term.
- On the other side of that matchup, Winnipeg received a bit of positive injury news when captain Adam Lowry returned to practice in a no-contact jersey on Saturday, per NHL.com’s Mitchell Clinton. Lowry has been recovering from hip surgery he underwent in late May. He is still working back to full health this season, but did manage 13 appearances and scored four goals in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. He also scored 34 points in 73 regular season games. Lowry is a core piece of Winnipeg’s lineup when healthy, offering stout two-way play from a middle-six center role. He will be slotted back into a busy role as soon as he’s ready to make his season debut.