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Opening Week in Smashville feat. Brady Skjei · Predators Official Podcast

0:00
Welcome to another episode of the Predators Official Podcast.
0:03
And we've made it. Opening week has arrived.
0:06
The Nashville Predators announcing their final roster
0:08
ahead of opening night. Luke Evangelista, he's back in
0:11
Smashville. Joachim Kemel's exclamation
0:14
point to end the pre season. We'll have an interview with
0:17
Predators defenseman Brady Shea, our biggie awesome person of the
0:21
week as well. And so much more coming up.
0:24
It's the POP. Here we go.
0:32
Well friends, as we record this on Tuesday, October the 7th, I
0:37
don't know about y'all, but I've been smiling all day.
0:39
This is one of the biggest reasons why October is my
0:41
favorite month out of the 12. NHL Opening week has finally
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arrived. We've made it.
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Hockey is back. Huge.
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Huge. It's that time of year and we
0:54
get to start it with two home games.
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Thursday night home opener against the Jackets.
0:59
Saturday night in Smashville against the Utah Mammoth in the
1:03
first ever Ice Age rivalry with the renamed division rival Kara.
1:08
I mean this schedule just served up on a silver platter. 2 games
1:11
at home to get the excitement going again, then a fun road
1:14
trip for the crew. This is going to be an awesome
1:17
way to start the season with some fresh faces in Smashville.
1:20
Yeah, I always feel excited when they get to start the season at
1:24
home in Smashville. I feel like it just brings the
1:25
passion and a new energy. And not to make this podcast
1:29
about myself, but guys, I'm pretty excited going into my 9th
1:31
season for it to kick off on October 9th.
1:34
I feel like, hey, let's let's like start like something nines.
1:37
Like let's get Phil going early, right?
1:39
Like, let's just roll out the nines.
1:41
I like that. I like that.
1:43
Season 10 for me. Colton Sissons is no longer
1:45
here, but we'll get a new 10 at some point.
1:47
Max, what season is this for you?
1:50
Season 4 in my full on air capacity, so we'll go with four.
1:56
Shout out to Ryan Ellis who was here this week.
2:00
Lot of. Experience.
2:01
Yeah, who was working one-on-one on the ice with Luke Evangelista
2:06
and we're definitely getting in. Get into that cause guys, number
2:09
77 is back. He is back.
2:13
Luke Evangelista. That was the big news, the one
2:15
we were all waiting for, right signs, A2 year, $6 million
2:19
contract on Saturday. He was back at practice on
2:22
Monday. It was great to see him out
2:24
there. He scored a number of goals.
2:26
Max, you tweeted some clips. He was certainly flying out
2:29
there. Didn't look like he was someone
2:31
who hadn't practiced all through training camp.
2:33
Of course, he had been on the ice working with some other
2:36
folks. But Max, it was certainly a
2:38
great start at practice for him getting back on the ice.
2:40
Yeah, there were a couple of moments, Brooks, especially in
2:43
the first round of drills when there was some back checking
2:45
going on and and things like that, where he looked like he
2:48
was shot out of a cannon. He really looked like he had
2:51
some extra juice. And I mean, that makes sense.
2:53
He had that first practice adrenaline rush that nobody else
2:56
at that point in training camp was having.
2:58
So I think that's exactly want to see, you want to see.
3:01
You want him to be here and be ready to work and make up for
3:04
lost time. And he wasn't in every drill.
3:08
He was not in the power play drills.
3:09
Joachim Kimmel took his place in those.
3:11
Evangelista and Kimmel did switch off in the even strength
3:15
lines. Evangelista is waiting for
3:17
immigration clearance after the contract goes through.
3:20
We're not exactly sure on timing with that.
3:22
So we're not sure which of those guys is going to play on
3:25
Thursday. But it seems like Evangelista is
3:28
back. He's in great spirits.
3:30
And I would say, Brooks, based on what we heard yesterday from
3:33
especially Evangelista, but what it sounds like coming from the
3:37
front office as well doesn't really seem like there's any ill
3:40
will coming out of this despite the fact that it took so long.
3:44
Yeah, I know Luke said as much on on Monday as he practiced and
3:48
saying, you know, simply, it is what it is.
3:50
What happened happened. He's excited to move on and he's
3:53
ready to get back and help the team in whichever way he can
3:56
this season. And I really like like this
3:57
quote from him. Max, you, you touched on it like
4:00
the amount of energy he he had was maybe a little bit more than
4:03
everybody else's, has already been doing this for three weeks.
4:07
But he just touched on being back with the team, the fresh
4:10
energy he felt as someone who has not been with them through
4:13
training camp, we've talked so much about the different
4:16
atmosphere, the different vibe around the team.
4:18
He sensed it as well. Here's what he had to say after
4:21
practice on Monday. I just think going back to last
4:24
year, like, I think we just needed, we needed a reset.
4:27
It was, you know, it had dragged on and we we had been out of the
4:30
race for a while. And you know, it's kind of it's
4:33
not the same energy and atmosphere when you're not
4:35
playing competitive games, you know, late in the, you know, the
4:38
last month or two of the season and kind of just that fresh
4:41
start. I think that's what, what that
4:43
energy is kind of all about. And you know, we're right back
4:47
in the race again now. You know, we have a, you know,
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we're not limited from playoffs like a good start.
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It's going to be really important for us to, you know,
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if you go back to last year, we had a slow start and you know,
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you're out of it before you know it.
4:58
So just bring that energy right off the bat and you know, being
5:02
competitive. So Max, as you mentioned,
5:04
Evangelista listed as non rosters, he awaits immigration.
5:07
But for the first time this season, the team really feels
5:11
complete heading into opening night.
5:13
And we now know the final roster.
5:15
Those were due on Monday as well.
5:18
And perhaps the biggest name, the biggest note to mention from
5:21
this, it wasn't really a surprise because of the way
5:24
training camp has gone and how we've seen him play.
5:27
But Max and Kara Brady Martin, the number five overall pick in
5:31
the 25 NHL draft, he has made the team.
5:34
And not only made the team, but it looks like he might be
5:37
starting opening night potentially as the number one
5:39
Center for the Nashville Predators.
5:42
I think we were all excited to have Brady Martin here, but I
5:45
don't think anybody could have truly predicted this to happen.
5:49
He's 18 years old. He's playing on a line with Ryan
5:53
O'Reilly and Philip Forsberg and you guys, you wonder what's
5:57
going through his mind right now.
5:59
We are reporting here on Tuesday the 7th.
6:01
We're 48 hours away. Can you imagine being in his
6:05
shoes where a year ago you were playing in the OHL, now you're
6:10
starting in the NHL on opening night?
6:14
What do you think his mindset is right now?
6:17
Well, the craziest part? Thinking about what he was doing
6:20
a year ago right now, a year ago right now, he wasn't even going
6:23
to be a first round pick. He was a point every other game
6:26
in the OHL in his first year in the zoo.
6:28
He was not a big name prospect. And now all of a sudden here he
6:32
is playing top line center with the leading scorer in franchise
6:36
history and one of the most respected veteran centers in the
6:40
NHL, moving to the wing so that he can play center and those
6:44
guys are going to share face off duties.
6:46
It's unbelievable to think about and I think he has kept it so
6:51
simple mentally and I think that's the only reason that this
6:54
has worked. If he was an overthinker, I
6:57
don't think he would have had any success in camp.
6:59
But the reason why his game works in pre season at the NHL
7:03
level, he knows exactly where to go.
7:05
It's instinctual. He makes the simple play, he
7:08
makes give and goes. He makes short passes, he
7:11
creates scoring chances, and occasionally he'll pull out that
7:14
really creative move, but only when it's necessitated and only
7:18
when it's safe. And I think the fact that he
7:20
hasn't overthought things is why this has worked out to him.
7:24
And I think that's his personality off the ice, too.
7:26
Brooks as we continue to get to know him quickly.
7:29
No, absolutely. And Andrew Burnett mentioned as
7:31
much on Monday, saying that one yes, we're still getting to know
7:34
the player. Even though you've seen him in
7:36
some preseason games, you've seen him throughout training
7:38
camp. Of course he is 18.
7:41
Of course, he's only been a member of this organization for
7:43
what, 3 months now? And Max, the trajectory, as you
7:47
said, to go from not an unknown, but someone who was certainly
7:53
not projected to be in the top five to not only being drafted
7:57
in that position, but to make the team, I'll admit it.
8:00
You know, when you pick someone that high in the draft, unless
8:04
they're really, really got it right, like Matthew Schaefer,
8:08
the number one pick, he's made the opening night roster for the
8:11
Islanders. That's not a surprise.
8:13
I don't know that anybody in the organization would have looked
8:17
at Brady Martin on draft night and said he's going to make the
8:20
opening on at night roster. And that's not a slight against
8:23
Brady Martin. That's just not how it usually
8:25
works in hockey. We look at, you know, football's
8:27
the big one that comes to mind. And I think that's always
8:29
important to remind folks that, you know, in the NFL, if you're
8:32
pick #5 overall, you're making the team.
8:36
Like that's just how it works. Hockey, unless you're a, a, a
8:39
prodigy in the next superstar that's coming down the line, you
8:43
might not make it on opening night.
8:46
But as you've said, the, the wherewithal the Brady Martin
8:49
has, the maturity is an 18 year old, the ability to think the
8:52
game with Nashville's top players, not only offensively
8:55
but defensively. I keep going back to what Barry
8:58
Trotz has said for an 18 year old.
9:01
Most 18 year olds, they might see the play, but they don't
9:05
execute the play. Brady Martin not only sees
9:08
what's going on, but he makes the right decision, which a lot
9:12
of guys, you simply need more development, more maturity to
9:15
get to that point. Brady Martin's got that.
9:18
And I think it's important to note that we're also not going
9:20
to sit here and say that he's going to be here for 82 games.
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And we'll touch on what that looks like in a moment.
9:25
But the fact that he's here on opening night and as you said,
9:28
playing with Philip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly, which for an 18
9:31
year old, like that's a big deal.
9:33
I not that I was about to be a professional athlete when I was
9:36
18 year old, years old. I was not.
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I know it's hard to believe, but I I can't imagine being 18 and
9:44
playing with a couple of guys that you have watched on
9:46
television your entire life and all of a sudden you're taking
9:50
passes from, as you said, Max, the franchise's all time leading
9:53
scorer on one side, a con Smythe Trophy winner on another side.
9:58
What a mind boggling experience and what a amazing year that
10:02
Brady Martin has that is culminating at this point with
10:06
what we expect will be be a debut on opening night.
10:09
Well, that's exactly it, Brooks. And so many times we've seen
10:12
some of these young guys come up and they get almost a little bit
10:15
starstruck on the ice. When you're taking on players,
10:18
you know, you look at going up and you take on a Sidney Crosby
10:21
or something in your first game. But that stood out to Bruno,
10:24
especially in that Carolina game.
10:25
He said he wanted to get in that face off circle.
10:27
He was going up against Ajo. He didn't have any fear of
10:30
stall. He seemed like he was really
10:32
comfortable out there. And I know Brady Martin said he
10:35
had taken a little bit of advice from Ryan O'Reilly getting some
10:39
tips from Factor. And he said Factor would just
10:40
say a few small tidbits here and there, a few details of the
10:44
game. And he's really taken that into
10:46
consideration. And I think that's what's
10:48
allowed him to be so successful up to this point. 100% and so
10:52
we've we've mentioned what it kind of looks like where he's
10:55
going to play, what we've seen from Brady Martin so far.
10:59
And the biggest question at this point is how long will he be
11:02
here? And we've seen this happen
11:04
before in other situations. I remember back in the day it
11:07
was Samuel Gerard was here in Nashville.
11:09
We saw this situation with him shout out to Sammy G but so with
11:13
Brady Martin, he's an 18 year old, he's got his entry level
11:16
contract. He can stay for up through nine
11:20
games before beginning the first year of that entry level deal.
11:24
And we've seen this again time and time throughout the league
11:27
is that teams will give their top guys, their top picks, top
11:31
prospects, an opportunity to start the season.
11:35
If it works, great. If you want to keep them the
11:37
whole season, like if Brady Martin is up here and he's
11:39
producing, don't send them back. But if he's not quite there, if
11:44
you give him that nine game test and either option is certainly
11:48
possible. But if you determine that this
11:50
just isn't the time that he would be better developed by
11:53
going back to junior and starring there, then that's the
11:56
decision you make. So, but again, we'll be really
11:59
fascinating Max, to see through these first 3459, however many
12:04
games Brady Martin actually gets.
12:07
What does he look like? Is he ready?
12:08
We think he's ready. He's at least ready to start on
12:11
opening night. Is he ready to do it
12:13
consistently every other night over the course of a whole
12:16
season? That, in turn, becomes the
12:19
biggest question. Well, it's a big thing to
12:22
remember too. Brooks is it's nine games
12:24
played. It's not nine team games.
12:27
So he's probably not going to play in every game that he's on
12:30
the NHL roster for. Don't revolt if Brady Martin is
12:34
a healthy scratch, especially when Luke Evangelista or Matt
12:37
Wood is available to return. There's competition between
12:40
these four young right shots who have had very different paths to
12:45
being on the roster to start the camp.
12:47
Brady Martin, the rookie, the first year pro right out of the
12:50
draft, yo. Kim Kimmel breaks camp with the
12:53
big club for the first time. Matt Wood still almost led the
12:56
entire league in preseason points despite only playing in
12:59
two games. And then you got Evangelista,
13:02
who wasn't in training camp. And you gotta remember he's
13:05
still a young player, too. He's still only 23.
13:08
So these guys are all fighting for two spots, four of them for
13:13
two spots as of now. And there's a lot of different
13:16
options go in different ways with all these guys.
13:18
And it probably would be beneficial for Martin to sit a
13:21
game or two as he gets his feet wet in the NHL and as the Preds
13:25
have a pretty condensed schedule over these first few weeks and
13:28
probably want to give different guys different looks if they
13:31
can. So that's another weapon you
13:33
have. I mean, he can play 9 games, but
13:35
he can be here for the whole month of October.
13:38
He can be here as long as you want.
13:39
And I don't think it's out of the question if he excels as a
13:43
line made especially alongside Philip Forsberg.
13:45
I don't think it's out of the question that he doesn't go back
13:47
to the Sioux, but his play will dictate that.
13:51
You also wonder too, Brooks, how much is the staff going to be
13:54
shuffling the lines to start, you know, with putting Brady
13:57
Martin at center, you move Ryan O'Reilly to the wing.
14:00
He said he's still getting comfortable in that position.
14:03
You know, he's been the the top line center.
14:05
So you you kind of wonder, obviously he's a player that he
14:08
can move over. We've seen Stamkos have to move
14:11
from center to wing back to center.
14:12
We we've seen some adjustments being made.
14:15
But if that doesn't start to work, do you feel like then you
14:19
have to move Ryan back to that center, center position, move
14:22
somebody else up on the wing? And then you kind of wonder,
14:25
where do we go from here? Exactly.
14:28
And you mentioned the potential for O'Reilly to maybe do that.
14:31
That's a super easy move for someone who's done it his entire
14:34
career, played that center ice position.
14:36
And I also think then we kind of touched on this last episode as
14:39
well with a younger guy like Brady Martin.
14:42
Is that someone that you want on your fourth line?
14:44
Probably not. You know, it's a situation of a
14:47
player of this caliber, you probably want them on your first
14:51
couple of lines. And if they're not, if they're
14:53
not able to crack through that spot in the lineup, if they're
14:56
not able to get those minutes, you're not going to bury them on
14:59
the fourth line. So that's a great point too,
15:01
Kara, is he is he able to not only play with those guys, but
15:06
play consistently top line minutes that you want someone in
15:11
that trio to be able to perform at that level?
15:13
And if not, and as we said, you've got the other decisions
15:17
to make, but it's a good problem to have.
15:19
We've talked about that all through camp.
15:21
You want these hard decisions and the fact that these young
15:25
guys have pushed all the way to the point where a number of them
15:28
have made this opening night roster really good problem and
15:31
have not only now, but it looks great for the future of the
15:34
organization. And we've mentioned Joachim
15:36
Kemel as well, making the team for the first time out of
15:39
training camp. And Max, my goodness, did he
15:42
ever put the exclamation point on Saturday afternoon saying,
15:46
hey, I'd like to make this team and here's what I'm going to do
15:49
to prove it. If that was not a roster making
15:53
moment, then there is no such thing as a roster making moment.
15:57
Not just in hockey, but in any sport.
16:00
And Joachim Kimmel had had a solid camp.
16:02
He he had proven that he was in contention for one of those top
16:05
2 right wing spots on opening night, especially after Matt
16:09
Wood got hurt, especially with Luke Evangelista absent.
16:12
But man did he grab that spot on opening night in three on three
16:18
overtime of the preseason finale.
16:21
The biggest hit I've ever seen in person in hockey against the
16:24
other teams best player, Andrei Svechnikov just coasting around
16:27
three on three thinking it was pond hockey.
16:30
Three on three. Joakim Kimmel was playing NHL
16:33
hits 2003 three on three and just absolutely destroyed Mrs.
16:37
Svechnikov sat him down, drew a retaliatory penalty after a
16:42
clean hit and then after the first group of four on the power
16:45
play couldn't get it done. He won it with an 88 mile an
16:49
hour one timer late teaser from his spot at the left circle and
16:54
my God did we just see Yoakim Kimmel grow into an NHL or right
16:58
before our eyes there in OT. Unreal.
17:03
We really did. And it's it's so funny to to
17:06
hear us talk about it. And we'll hear Ryan O'Reilly
17:08
talk about it in a second. But here's Yoakim Kimmel on his
17:12
effort in overtime. He makes it sound so simple.
17:14
Take a listen. I mean, just a part of me.
17:18
I like to play hard and I like to hit and I mean, that was good
17:23
time like. I don't know.
17:26
What to say? Good hit, good goal.
17:28
I like to. Shoot.
17:29
So I hit the net so I can score sometimes.
17:32
Also, you don't. See a lot of hits like that in
17:34
the open eyes. How did you kind of line that?
17:35
One up. Did you just see them coming?
17:38
Over the middle there, I mean, it was just perfect.
17:40
I kind of shed him, idle him and just got to the middle straight
17:44
at me. So what kind of tips did you get
17:46
back, if any? Not much, not much.
17:50
It was the Finnish guy. I hope he came after me.
17:53
So I knew. I knew.
17:54
Like can't say nothing. That's can't say nothing.
17:58
But yeah, he gave me a couple of slashes and nothing much.
18:02
I love the way he talks about it.
18:04
Brooks and I got a chance to just talk to him without
18:07
recording the interview after practice on Monday about it.
18:10
And just you shot a little bit of it there.
18:13
He doesn't want everybody to kind of see like the real heart
18:16
behind it, I think cuz he wants to be stoic.
18:18
I'm still trying to make the team guy, but there's a lot of
18:22
pride in that hit and who it was against and how it won the game
18:26
and how much attention it got. And I think that's exactly what
18:30
you want to see. You want to see these guys
18:32
developing their edge. And I think Kimmel, after two
18:36
full seasons in the AHL, it's time, it's really time for him
18:41
to start showing it with the big club.
18:43
And I think that was a massive first stride towards that.
18:46
And that really helps him both on the ice and mentally too.
18:51
So the rookie didn't want to get too excited about it, but Ryan
18:54
O'Reilly didn't mind making a comment.
18:56
I know you just that's one of the harder hits I've seen in
18:58
hockey. But yeah, in in a three on three
19:01
overtime, you you never really see that that was that was
19:05
pretty special. I feel like you could feel the
19:06
building, everyone, the bench, just the excitement that that
19:09
happened. And obviously he seals it off
19:11
with an unbelievable shot too. But yeah, that was yeah, they
19:15
fired everyone up. That was great.
19:16
So you hear O'Reilly there say not only the biggest hit in
19:20
three on three on three overtime he's ever seen, but one of the
19:22
biggest hits ever is. You mentioned Max.
19:24
I think in my mind, like after the game we were thinking, I
19:27
mean, when does this happen in overtime and not just overtime.
19:30
I love the people are like, no, that's like one of the bigger
19:33
hits I've seen anywhere in recent memory.
19:36
It was pretty impressive, Kara. And again, we talk about a
19:40
rookie trying to make an impact, make a statement, the physical
19:43
part of his game especially. That's something that has really
19:47
been on display not only in the rookie tournament in Tampa, but
19:50
again, you talk about an exclamation point.
19:53
That was exactly what we saw out of Camel and another young gun
19:56
who has made this opening night roster.
19:59
I know it's going to be viral when I see spitting Chiclets and
20:02
some of the other podcasts tweeting my friend Max here
20:06
crediting Max for posting the video.
20:09
It just has gone viral. I think everybody has said that
20:11
they felt like that might be the biggest hit of this season.
20:13
I mean, what more can we expect from Joe Kim coming up?
20:16
And you know, guys, I'm just. I'm really excited for this
20:20
season to get started. And it it goes back to so many
20:24
words that we've heard the players say.
20:26
Good energy, good energy at camp, fresh energy at camp.
20:30
But the biggest thing was Luke Evangelisa said that at the end
20:33
of last season, he felt like it was Groundhog Day, that they
20:36
were out of it and every day felt the same.
20:38
But he said, hey, starting this year off, we're right back in
20:41
it. And Brian O'Reilly said we got
20:44
to set the tone early. We have to get to our game.
20:46
We have to get to our identity. And I think that hit a lot
20:49
alone. That's what we're going to see
20:50
to start this season. Well, two more guys who are
20:54
potential tone setters who will be joining Joachim Kimmel and
20:57
Brady Martin on their first ever NHL opening night rosters. 4th
21:02
line winger Ozzy Weisblatt, who beat out Zach LaRue for that
21:05
final spot. He scored a goal in preseason.
21:08
He's a great fit alongside Michael McCarron and Cole Smith
21:11
and we're excited to see Ozzy get some extended run.
21:14
He played in five games last season but never more than two
21:17
in a row in the NHS so we will expect him to get some extended
21:22
run at the beginning of the season.
21:23
Congrats to Ozzy on making it. He certainly deserves it and
21:27
that's a savvy pick up by the Preds.
21:29
If you look back at where Ozzie Wiseblack came from, the Sharks
21:32
picked him in the first round and two seasons ago they
21:34
basically said we don't want this guy anymore.
21:37
Their AHL team was awful. They loaned him from their AHL
21:41
team to the Admirals for the playoffs 2 springs ago.
21:44
Then the Preds said we like this guy, we want him.
21:48
They traded Igor off Finasia for him, who wasn't in the Preds
21:51
plans anymore, ended up going back to the KHL.
21:54
And now here's Wiseblatt, an opening night guy.
21:56
And on the defensive side of things, Spencer Stasney makes
22:00
his first opening night roster and he's played a lot for the
22:03
Preds over the past three seasons since he was first
22:05
called up. But it's his first opening
22:07
night. And we've talked a lot about how
22:09
Stasney opened up over the summer, about his battle with
22:11
depression and anxiety. And I loved what you said, Kara.
22:15
Andrew Brunette just loves to see Spencer Stassi smiling, and
22:19
he has been smiling quite a bit in training camp.
22:22
He has played well and he and Justin Baron have been the third
22:25
pair for a couple weeks now. And I think that really is a
22:28
pair with upside. So we'll see how it goes for two
22:31
guys who both will be going through their first gold walk as
22:33
a Pred on Thursday. I want to mention quickly too,
22:36
on Zach LaRue, Andrew Burnett was asked on Monday, what was
22:40
kind of the feeling, what was the behind the decision making
22:44
to assign La Rue to Milwaukee? Because that was a bit of a
22:46
surprise. A guy who was here predominantly
22:49
all season, he was called up in November and never really looked
22:52
back, had a had a great run as a rookie with the Predators.
22:56
And Andrew Burnett basically said Zach La Rue is going to be
23:00
here at some point. He's an important piece.
23:02
And he emphasized La Rue did not have a poor camp.
23:06
The competition is simply high. And he went on to mention Brady
23:09
Martin, Matthew Wood, Camel, Reed Shaffer.
23:12
We just talked about how Ozzie Weisblatt, similar position
23:15
there. Camp was really competitive and
23:18
there were some hard decisions. And even though they're hard,
23:21
they're great for the organization, for the young
23:23
depth of that nature. So Zach LaRue will be back up
23:27
here at some point. He'll go down in Milwaukee, play
23:29
some big minutes, be in all situations and we would
23:32
certainly expect to see him back in Nashville at some point.
23:35
As well as Tanner Mullen, Dyke, someone else who we thought
23:38
maybe could have a chance this season.
23:39
He got hurt during rookie camp, did not help his chances,
23:43
certainly having to deal with an injury.
23:45
Got in a couple of pre season games, but ultimately ends up
23:49
starting the season in Milwaukee.
23:50
So you've touched on Lions and pairings as well.
23:53
We've continued to see the Bunting Hall of Marshaso line
23:57
together and we'll touch more on them a little bit later on in
24:00
the episode. And then Smith, Mccarran and
24:03
Wiseblatt on that fourth line. We've mentioned Brady Martin
24:06
between Forsburg and O'Reilly Svechkov, Fedor Svechkov between
24:10
Stephen Stamkos and Evangelista and Kemel rotating in on Monday.
24:15
And then on the back candidate Adam Willsby because Nick Hague
24:17
starting the season on injured reserve two to three weeks away,
24:20
hopefully with that upper body injury.
24:23
So it's Roman Yossi and Adam Willsby, Brady Shay, Nick
24:26
Purbeck's have been together since day one of training camp,
24:29
Spencer Stasney and Justin Baron, Nick Blankenberg the
24:32
extra defenseman there as it looks to start on opening night
24:36
and Matthew Wood lower body still week to week.
24:38
He also starts the season on injured reserve.
24:41
So that's your opening night roster for the Nashville
24:44
Predators. I think a lot of those names,
24:45
teams were probably predictable, a few maybe not so, but that's
24:49
the fun of training campus. What is this going to look like
24:51
in 2 1/2 weeks? Kara?
24:53
We finally have our answer. I'm excited.
24:56
Let's get it rolling. 2 Two more shout outs I want to give.
25:01
It seemed like such a foregone conclusion the whole fall that
25:04
he was going to make the team. But Federer, Svechkov, first NHL
25:08
opening night, I mean, nothing, nothing for Svetch is ever going
25:12
to go under the radar. But we kind of knew he was going
25:15
to make the team the whole time as the second center and he did
25:17
everything he needed to in camp to do that.
25:19
So looking forward to seeing Svetch out there at the gold
25:22
walk on Thursday, maybe showing off with some nice clothes.
25:26
We'll see what Svetch is up to and maybe a holographic stick or
25:29
a holographic suit to match his white stick could be out there.
25:33
That's. What We just had to bring up his
25:35
white stick. I think we may have missed it on
25:37
the last episode, but he said that he felt it in his soul.
25:43
There you go. Yeah, when you feel it in your
25:45
soul, you got to do it. You got to do it.
25:47
You got to go with it. The last one, it'll also be the
25:50
first Preds opening night for Nick Blankenberg, who's probably
25:53
going to start the season as the 7th defenseman, so I don't think
25:56
he'll play on opening night against his former team, the
25:58
Blue Jackets. But it was the right move by the
26:00
Preds to keep 7 and we know we will be seeing a lot of Nick
26:04
Blankenberg who continues to show up and continues to do his
26:08
thing and continues to be a reliable right side D for the
26:11
Preds. And we are glad he is still here
26:13
and glad he is breaking camp with the big club.
26:15
And what do we say with Nick Blankenberg?
26:17
Do your best and block out the rest.
26:21
Up next, we'll chat with Predators defenseman Brady Shay.
26:24
You're listening to the Predators official podcast on
26:27
ESPN 102.5, The Game and YouTube.
26:36
Welcome back to the Predators official Podcast on Fred's
26:39
YouTube, your favorite podcast platform, and ESPN 102.5 the
26:44
game. My name is Max Ers from Fred's
26:46
Radio, joined by Brooks Bratton from nashvillepredators.com.
26:49
And our third player guest of the season, Predators defenseman
26:53
Brady Shay, is here. Brady, thanks so much for
26:55
joining us. Thanks for having me guys.
26:57
Appreciate it. Happy to be here.
26:59
Absolutely. We're here at Centennial as we
27:02
record this on opening night eve.
27:05
Plenty to touch on there. But before we get to that, how
27:08
was the summer? This is like first day back at
27:10
school. Everybody's asking how the
27:11
summer break was. What did summer look like for
27:13
Brady Shay? Yeah, it was great.
27:17
Obviously a little longer than we wanted, but was able to go
27:22
over and play in the World Championships with Team USA,
27:24
which was a ton of fun. Got to win win gold there with
27:29
with Macker and Law and Kelts and Pete.
27:33
So that was that was a ton of fun to start off the summer and
27:36
kind of end the hockey wise summer on a high note.
27:40
And then just back in Minnesota, played some golf, had some
27:45
weddings and worked out and skated.
27:49
So kind of the same same every summer I feel like.
27:53
That's a hockey summer in a nutshell, right?
27:55
Exactly. Yeah.
27:56
And one other thing that changed up your summer for you, You and
28:00
your family are expecting a baby coming up here later this month.
28:03
What has Baby Watch been like? And can we do a gender reveal on
28:07
the POP or is it a seat? No, it's, it's a boy.
28:11
We know that. Yeah, we're super excited.
28:16
My wife's feeling great right now.
28:18
We're expecting at the end of the month and I'll be our first.
28:21
So we're we're super excited. We got the, the nursery all set
28:26
up. I was hanging the, the Nanet
28:28
video camera yesterday, so got all that dialed in.
28:33
So we're, we're ready for for him to arrive.
28:37
Amazing. Well, you and I as well have had
28:39
many a conversation in the locker room about Dave Matthews
28:42
and things of that nature. Why?
28:44
I know you're a music guy at least from the 90s, but did you
28:47
see any shows this summer and what are you listening to now?
28:52
I actually, I don't know if I saw.
28:54
Well, at the end of the season we went and saw Darius and
28:58
friends. I think that was towards the end
28:59
of the year, Darius and friends at the Ryman.
29:01
I think that maybe was the last live show I've been to, but that
29:06
was a ton of fun. I love Darius Rucker Hootie.
29:09
Yeah, all those 90s, those 90s, that 90s music I really enjoy.
29:14
So yeah, I think that was the only show I've seen in a while.
29:19
And then what was the second? Part of that question, what,
29:21
What are you listening to now? Listening to the great 90s.
29:24
No, I, I'm, I'm kind of all over the map.
29:28
I listened to the 90s. I was in the country.
29:30
I listened to some rap sometimes.
29:34
Yesterday I was in the car with my wife.
29:35
So we're listening to what was it, the show Taylor Swift?
29:40
What's the album called? Oh, life of a showgirl.
29:43
A showgirl. So you're listening to that.
29:46
So I'm all, I'm all over the map when it comes to music.
29:48
I I kind of like all different kinds.
29:51
Fred's defenseman Brady Shay is our guest here on The POP Brady,
29:54
you have had a truly consistent D partner throughout all of
29:58
training camp, all of preseason, and leading into opening night.
30:01
New Preds defenseman Nick Perbix has been your partner on the
30:04
second pair. You guys have a lot in common.
30:06
You're both from Minnesota, you both went to College in
30:09
Minnesota. You're pretty close in age, but
30:11
you said you'd never met before this season.
30:13
What's it been like getting to know somebody who's your new D
30:17
partner who you really have a ton in common with?
30:20
Yeah, it's, it's been great. Shockingly, we never met before
30:25
coming here. I feel like Minnesota is a
30:27
pretty small, small world. And the fact we haven't met was
30:30
kind of crazy. But like you said, we have so
30:32
much in common and so many mutual friends.
30:35
I feel like you talk about anything and you kind of know
30:37
someone who knows someone. So it's been very easy to get to
30:41
know him. And he's a such a great guy and
30:44
easy to talk to. And it's been great on the ice
30:46
too. I think our games can complement
30:49
each other a lot. And we're obviously really
30:52
excited to have him on the team and the and the other guys.
30:55
Obviously Hagger with the injuries is a bummer, but you
31:00
know, Eric and some of the young guys coming in.
31:02
But yeah, Perbs has been has been great.
31:04
And we're going to have to to play good and be a good solid D
31:09
pair for that, that second D pair.
31:12
You mentioned how you guys complement each other on the ice
31:15
and we've seen in training camp, I think both you guys have had
31:17
great camps. His game is so simple and he
31:21
said somebody on his college team told him at one point when
31:24
he was playing at Saint Cloud State.
31:26
It looks like he's playing hockey while sitting back on the
31:29
couch and putting his feet up, which I feel like is the most
31:32
accurate way to describe it. Keeping that in mind, how would
31:36
you describe the way you hope to compliment him as I guess the
31:41
more mobile and less boring partner on the pair, if we're
31:43
going to put it that way? Yeah, no, I mean, I think he is
31:48
super simple and I feel like I've played with guys like that
31:52
in the past. The first guy comes to mind is
31:54
Brett Pesci and Carolina. When I played with him, he was
31:58
obviously just rock solid defensively and just all an all
32:01
around unbelievable player. But I think that maybe allows me
32:05
to maybe get up in the play a little more and and try to add
32:08
to some offense and use my skating to my advantage.
32:10
So I think like I said, I feel like he is simple, but he makes
32:16
the right plays at the right time.
32:18
And obviously you can add some offense as well.
32:21
So just get that getting that feel for each other and kind of
32:25
reading off each other when to go, when to stay back.
32:27
I want him to be able to get up in the offense as well,
32:30
obviously. And let me, you know, play
32:32
defence and stay back. So it's just that getting
32:35
familiar with, familiar with each other.
32:37
And I think through this camp has been, you know, it's been
32:41
great. And we just kind of kept getting
32:44
better and better as the camp's gone on.
32:45
So I'm just, yeah, really excited for tomorrow night and
32:49
to get this season going. Well, Brady, not only a new
32:53
defence partner for you, but another new face, another Brady
32:56
we have found out will make his NHL debut on Thursday against
33:00
Columbus. Between that and some of the
33:03
other younger guys that have pushed and have now made roster
33:06
spots, what's kind of that inflection of the youthful
33:10
energy? We've heard some of your team
33:11
mates talk about it and that their excitement kind of feeds
33:15
off of everybody and it makes everybody better.
33:17
How have you seen that through camp?
33:19
Yeah, it does. I mean, obviously it's it's it's
33:22
it's awesome to see a kid that just got drafted step in and and
33:26
have an amazing camp and fit right in at 18 years old.
33:28
I know when I was 18, I would definitely not be ready to step
33:32
in and, and fill the shoes that he's filling right now.
33:34
So it it, it brings a lot to the locker room.
33:37
Obviously, you know, it's crazy to think that even me, I'm 13
33:43
years older than him, which is just wild to.
33:45
Think so. It come from different times,
33:47
but just to have that youthful energy.
33:51
I think we do a good job as a team with everyone involved to
33:54
bring to bring energy every day. But just to have those young
33:57
guys that may be on days off there or on practice days or
34:02
just any days in general, just to bring a little bit of life to
34:06
the to the locker room is a ton of fun.
34:07
And I think Brady will be one of those guys for sure.
34:12
Well, Brady, we were talking about it during the preseason
34:14
game against the Hurricanes. Jordan Stall has been in the NHL
34:18
longer than Brady Martin has been alive, and they're playing
34:20
against each other, so that's unbelievable.
34:23
Yeah, they're going to be a lot of those this year for Brady.
34:26
Yes, yes, there will be. 18 1/2 years old Brady Shea.
34:30
We're talking to the elder statesman of the Brady Bunch
34:33
here on the Preds. Going into your second season
34:35
with the team, what is the new D zone structure been like for you
34:40
and how do you anticipate that helping your game alongside the
34:43
comfort of being in the same place for a second year?
34:48
Yeah, I think it's it's, we've gotten way better throughout the
34:51
camp. And I think it's just an
34:55
emphasis on stay still, being aggressive, making the right
34:58
reads, the right time, letting you see the puck, all of that.
35:03
And then for me personally, I think I just feel way more
35:07
comfortable coming in this year. Obviously last year, it's your
35:09
first year, you're kind of you're learning the system,
35:11
you're learning the guys, learning the coaches, it's just
35:13
a lot on your plate. So definitely this year I have
35:19
way more confidence and way I'm way more comfortable in the
35:22
system. And just throughout this whole
35:24
camp, it's been been way better and you know, trying to lead and
35:29
help younger guys as well. So I think it's it's it's been
35:33
great so far and we just need to keep building on that and keep
35:36
carrying that end of the season because that's going to be a
35:38
huge part of our our team's success.
35:40
Is that D zone and shutting down the other team?
35:44
Brady, we'll finish on this and it's certainly fair to say that
35:47
at this time of the year, all 32 teams are feeling pretty good
35:50
about themselves. But it really feels like there
35:53
is legitimate reason for optimism in this room right now.
35:56
I know everybody's done talking about last year.
35:59
Everybody's excited to get going.
36:01
What are you looking forward to most now as this new season
36:04
begins and there's one more sleep until opening night here?
36:09
Yeah, I think, I mean, we're just, I since last year ended, I
36:13
think everyone's just been itching to get back to, to
36:16
starting over and having a fresh, fresh slate.
36:21
You know, I know personally for me, it's just I've been itching
36:23
to get back and playing and, and, you know, trying to prove
36:26
people wrong. So it's we're obviously super
36:30
excited and it's going to be a challenge.
36:33
It's going to raise me ups and downs.
36:35
But I think the way the the locker room feels right now,
36:38
though, with energy in the room with the players that we have,
36:42
you know, there's no reason why we can't be one of the teams at
36:44
the end of the year to to be playing for the Stanley Cups.
36:46
So we're that's our goal is obviously to make the playoffs
36:50
and it's going to be, it's going to be tough, it always is.
36:52
But we believe that we have the players do that in the locker
36:56
room and the coaching staff and everything.
36:58
So ready to get started and pump for tomorrow night.
37:01
Love it. What a spot to end it.
37:03
Brady Shay, thanks so much for joining us.
37:05
No problem guys. Thank you.
37:07
Back with more after this on the Predators official podcast.
37:16
Welcome back to the Predators official podcast.
37:18
I'm Carrie Hammer along with Brooks Bratton and Max Herzen.
37:21
Guys, we've been talking about it all podcasts this season is
37:25
getting ready to start on Thursday night as we record here
37:28
on Tuesday. But I'm curious, so many things
37:31
to look forward to. I'll start with you, Brooks.
37:35
What stands out to you? What excites you about getting
37:38
the season started? Well, other than just a simple
37:42
fact of erasing the past and looking ahead to the future, the
37:45
Predators players won't really talk about last season.
37:48
They're kind of done with that. I'll say it though, like they
37:52
all know in the back of their minds what happened and every
37:55
single person individually and then collectively can't wait to
38:00
erase those memories. I like what Andrew Burnett has
38:02
said about putting the boat back in the water and everybody's
38:06
holding on to their paddle and they're all paddling in the same
38:08
direction. All the oars are in and they're
38:10
ready to go for opening night. And he has also mentioned, and
38:14
we've seen these three together since day one of training camp,
38:17
the line of Eric Halla between Jonathan Marshesow and Michael
38:21
Bunting. Andrew Burnett has said those
38:23
three have driven camp. They've brought the energy,
38:27
they've brought the pace. He also said they aren't usually
38:30
quiet. They don't usually stop talking
38:32
throughout the course of a game. And we actually had a
38:34
submission, right, The loud line.
38:35
Is that what did Eric Hall put that out?
38:38
The loud line, yeah, well, Michael Bunting said when asked
38:41
about the line by Russell Vanozzi of Main Street Preps in
38:44
an interview last week. I think it was their goal to
38:48
create the loudest line possible on their team, and we certainly
38:51
haven't disappointed in that area or on the ice, he added at
38:55
the end. But yeah, those guys don't
38:57
really shut up out there. And Eric Holla has really
39:01
impressed me. I was not on the broadcast team
39:04
when Hollow was here in 2021 for one abbreviated season.
39:09
And I have been really impressed with the chemistry he has
39:12
immediately with Jonathan Marshall.
39:14
And those guys played together on the Golden Knights the first
39:17
two seasons of NHL in Las Vegas and they really play well
39:23
together. And I think it's amazing for
39:24
Marcia. So and this is the same way
39:26
Bunting outlined it as well. And Marcia so talked about it in
39:29
our interview with him on the podcast here last week, which
39:32
everybody who didn't hear that should go back to last episode
39:35
and go listen to it. But the way Marcia so put it
39:38
out, he's not going to beat guys one-on-one.
39:40
Paula is the quick passing distribution guy and Bunting is
39:43
going to the net to create a screen or pick up a rebound.
39:46
If those guys can play the simple short passing game, quick
39:50
passing game, pucks on net generate chances and if nothing
39:54
else get no zone face off for one of the top 2 lines to come
39:58
out behind them. I think that line can be really
40:00
successful this year and they also will be.
40:03
Quite loud. Doing do we just call them the
40:05
holler line? The holler?
40:06
The holler holler. I think if they stick together,
40:11
I like, I like what Marcia so said in our last interview was
40:14
that, you know, I don't want to really throw out a name.
40:16
I don't want to make the coaching staff give them any
40:19
pressure to keep us together. But yeah, if that trio works, I
40:22
mean, at the very least, I love all of the elements that you
40:25
just said there, Max. And at the very least, they're
40:28
probably going to make some people a little angry too, which
40:31
doesn't hurt the situation. So really excited to see them
40:34
and the arrival of Baby Bunting. By the way, we were talking to
40:37
him the other day, Max, about the new member of the Preds
40:40
family here. Incredible alliteration baby boy
40:44
Beau Bunting. Welcome to Smashville.
40:46
Shout out to all my righteous Gemstone fans out there.
40:49
It's like baby Billy Bible bonkers, but baby boy Bo Bunting
40:53
and I love saying it. But yeah, congratulations to the
40:56
Bunting family, now a family of three.
40:58
So so happy for them and really excited for PM Buntings first
41:04
full season here in Smashville. So many things to look forward
41:07
to and I've mentioned this before, but I think one thing
41:12
that's really going to stand out to to kick off this season, not
41:15
only here in Nashville but around the league is some of
41:18
these guys are still on tryouts to make their Olympic roster.
41:21
I mean look at Philip Forsberg himself still a little bit of a
41:24
tryout basis for team Sweden. How's he going to start the
41:27
year? I think we're going to see that
41:29
around the league and I have to say I was watching the the the
41:33
Amazon face off show. Obviously we saw Phil featured
41:36
on it last season, but just the the the Brady Kachuk to get it
41:41
started talking about Team USA, obviously full blooded American
41:45
right here. I'm all for Team USA to go, but
41:48
just watching him talk about the Four Nations guys, I think we're
41:50
going to see things get fired up early on.
41:53
Well, that was, I mean, what a moment that was for hockey, the
41:56
Four Nations and just a lovely little precursor to the
41:59
Olympics. And yeah, that's that's exciting
42:01
to watch. We've mentioned it's Roman Yossi
42:03
and UC Soros have already been named, but there's some other
42:06
guys that are in the running. And as you said, Kara, this is
42:09
going to be a tryout for a lot of these guys to see if they
42:12
have the ability to potentially represent their countries in
42:15
February. And and there's nothing better
42:17
than best on best international hockey.
42:20
And so we will be so excited to see that when February rolls
42:23
around. And someone else, Max who not
42:26
going to make the Swedish roster this season more than likely,
42:29
but could in the future. You want to talk about Adam
42:33
Willsby? I think this Wills be a pretty
42:36
exciting season for it. And everything was just cut
42:39
short last year right as we were starting to let the puns fly for
42:43
Adam Willsby. And he had moments where it was
42:47
like, Oh my God, the upside on this guy is through the roof.
42:53
And because Nick Hague is hurt now we get Willsby and Yossi
42:57
together. They're going to be times when
43:00
the three guys closest to the Fred's goal are all going to be
43:03
forwards. The way these guys are jumping
43:05
around and joining the rush and playing off each other.
43:08
And I think the forwards who are out there with them will be OK
43:11
with that because we know Yossi has forward level skill.
43:14
And I think Willsby is going to get get a chance to show that
43:17
this year, too. And he may not be a big goal
43:19
scorer in his first NHL season, but I think he's going to be
43:23
really involved offensively. And I'm really excited to see
43:26
how his partnership with EOC plays out in this first few
43:29
weeks of games while Nick Hague is hurt and maybe longer.
43:32
You never know. Can I, can I do an opening night
43:35
prediction and who you think is going to score the first goal
43:38
like can we, can we do that before we finish the segment
43:41
here? Let's do it.
43:43
You go first, Hammer. I think factor, that's my guy.
43:46
Nice. I would love to see.
43:48
I'm going to try to manifest it. I would love to see Brady
43:50
Martin. You know, there's just
43:52
something, there's just something about, yeah, your
43:54
first NHL game's a big deal. But if you can put the puck in
43:57
the net in your first NHL game, sometimes the stories write
44:00
themselves. So for the person that has to
44:02
write the game recap after the fact, I would love for that to
44:06
happen. Brady Martin on opening night.
44:08
And do we see the rookie lap like do we see the rookie lap on
44:12
opening night? Oh yeah.
44:15
Can you imagine a hot lap at 18 years old?
44:17
Just kick off. 18 1/2 Do not shortchange him.
44:22
He's young enough that we're still counting half years.
44:24
Hammer, come on. All right, sorry, Maxie, who's
44:27
your prediction for first goal scorer to kick off the season?
44:30
I'm going to go with the tried and true local father of two,
44:34
America's fourth line center Michael McCarron early in the
44:39
second period on opening night to break a scoreless tie.
44:42
All right. Wow, good call.
44:44
What we're we're kind of all over the place in our
44:47
predictions. I like that.
44:47
I guess, although I guess Kara, you and I picked two people on
44:50
the first line. Max Max is down there, but we've
44:53
seen the Mccarran special in in the preseason already that wrap
44:56
around that big 6 foot 6 reach coming around the net.
44:59
He tried it again the other day. So anything is possible when Big
45:03
Mac is out there. And by the way, let's also
45:06
mention Kara and the FanDuel Sports Network side of things.
45:10
The gang is back together. We are all back together.
45:13
We are so excited to be here. We're going to bring you 80
45:15
games this season, but we're like a family and we're excited
45:20
to to to keep it going, keep it rolling.
45:23
And I think we'll be putting some stuff out on social and all
45:26
the places that you can can watch because we're going to be
45:30
on there. Amazing.
45:32
Yep, they're there 80 games, as you said, Kara.
45:35
Four of those will be simulcast on news Channel 5 CBS here in
45:39
Nashville. So that'll be exciting as well.
45:41
Get out to an even larger audience.
45:43
But there's so much to come. There's so much anticipation
45:46
this time of year and we will be back in just a moment to bring
45:50
you the big E awesome person or persons of the week.
45:54
Stay tuned. You're listening and watching to
45:56
the Preds official podcast. Welcome back to the Predators
46:06
official Podcast as we get you ready for opening night Thursday
46:10
night at Bridgestone Arena. We invite you to come down early
46:13
for the Gold Walk where you can see all the Preds players
46:17
walking in at 4:00 PM, our annual opening night fun fan
46:21
event. 4:00 at the corner of 5th and Broadway at the Bridgestone
46:24
Arena Plaza. Also, please be in your seats by
46:27
about 6:55 before the game. We'll be getting started early
46:31
with on ice intros as well, so if you're going to the game
46:35
Thursday night, please be in your seat by 6:55 if you can at
46:39
Bridgestone Arena for pregame intros.
46:42
My name is Max Hers from Preds Radio joined by Cara Hammer from
46:45
Preds TV, Brooks Bratton from nashvillepredators.com.
46:48
We are ready for opening night and it is time to give out our
46:52
4th weekly award, the Big E, in honor of our friend Aaron
46:57
Donnick, Willie Donnick's wife, who we tragically lost this
47:00
summer. And we are going to give it to
47:04
all of you this week. Everybody who came out to Prince
47:07
Fest on Saturday, Everybody who was in Smashville all day long
47:11
for the outdoor Fan Fest, and then the preseason game inside
47:15
with Joakim Kimmel finishing it off with the big hit and the
47:18
overtime goal, that was such a fun day.
47:20
I think that is the biggest crowd we've ever had for Prez
47:23
Fest, and it was a whole lot of fun out there.
47:26
Lively atmosphere, everybody excited, and I think the fans
47:31
now feel how the players feel. Last season is flushed
47:35
opportunities in front of us, getting that good Smashville
47:39
feeling back. And I think Brooks had a had an
47:41
honorable mention. Yes, I do have an honorable
47:45
mention. So story time quickly.
47:48
My honorable mention is for Britt Kinchlow.
47:51
She's the VP of Guest Services for the Preds, a day one
47:55
employee. There's not many of them left,
47:56
but she has been here since day 1/19/98.
48:00
She knows Britt's doing an arena like the back of her hand and it
48:02
was easy for her to get up to Section 325 during the day on
48:06
Saturday. Why does she have to do that and
48:08
why did I watch her do that? So clumsy me, I'm on my way down
48:14
to the Lexus Lounge tunnel after warmups.
48:18
I'm doing a hit, a live hit on the scoreboard after warmups
48:22
this season to let you know what some of the line rushes were,
48:26
who to watch out for scratches, maybe different guys out on the
48:29
ice, whatever the case may be. And so I'm on my way down there
48:33
and I walk from the press box, which by the way, the press box
48:37
could not be any further away from where I have to go into the
48:40
Lexus Lounge tunnel. But we make it work.
48:42
So I'm on my way down. I'm walking down the stairs.
48:44
I think it's section 116. I like to be out in the open
48:47
still. I don't take the elevator.
48:48
So I'm walking down the stairs and then I have to make my way
48:52
in those first couple of rows along the glass to get to the
48:56
Lexus Lounge tunnel. So warmups are still going on
49:00
and I'm climbing over a couple of chairs so as to not be in
49:04
people's way. I'm trying to to give them as
49:06
much room to see warmups as possible.
49:09
And the last little obstacle that I have there are there's a
49:14
couple, there's a guy and a girl sitting there and I'm kind of
49:18
lifting my legs up, doing some hip flexors, getting the
49:21
stretches in to get over people, right.
49:24
So I lift my leg up and what do I do but completely kick over
49:30
this guy's brand new beer. It spills everywhere and I in my
49:35
mind I'm like, Oh my goodness gracious.
49:37
This guy just spent so much money on this beer.
49:41
Now I've ruined it. He could not have been nicer.
49:43
I immediately I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry.
49:45
I will buy you a beer. I'll buy you a new one.
49:47
He's like, no, it's OK, I promise it's OK.
49:49
I'm like, no, it's not. I know you spent money on that.
49:51
I just kicked it over. It is now rolling all over the
49:55
ground. Which then shout out to the
49:56
people from Jana King and the ushers who came cleaned it up
49:58
for me. So I was able to get their
50:02
section, their seat, their row and I emailed a few people,
50:06
including Britt and I. The subject line of the e-mail
50:08
was help. I knocked over a guy's beer.
50:12
She answered the call. Not only did she hike all the
50:15
way up to 325 row Ji think it was with a new beer for this
50:18
gentleman, but she also brought a Jonathan Marshall autographed
50:22
puck. I didn't get their names.
50:24
I don't know if they listen to this.
50:26
I don't know if they'll ever hear this, but shout out to them
50:29
for being good sports and then shout out to Britt for helping
50:32
me out. I felt so bad, but she was able
50:35
to get up there, get a beer, get a puck.
50:37
Those are the golden moments that we like to take care of in
50:39
Smashville. I was like, I cannot kick over
50:41
this guy's beer and not do something about it.
50:44
So shout out to them for being good sports and to Britt for an
50:48
honorable mention for our Big E Awesome Person of the Week.
50:52
Brit Kinchelo, why are you so awesome?
50:54
That definitely deserves a biggie and I'm just going to
50:56
start leaving full beers next to Brooks hoping he knocks them
51:00
over. So I got some autographed
51:01
friends gear out of it. Yeah, yeah, if you see, if you
51:04
see me coming, let me kick over your beer.
51:06
And you never know what'll will show up later in the game.
51:10
I feel like we're going to see this as a skit when the season
51:12
gets started on Fang vision of next thing I know there's a
51:15
visiting fan and Brooks just built beer over him.
51:21
I like that. I like that idea a lot.
51:23
As always, we are soliciting your questions and comments.
51:26
Tweet them with #preds podcast. And this week we have a trivia
51:31
question for you. And who knows, you may not even
51:35
have to have your beer spilled this time to get a Preds
51:37
autographed prize. If you answer correctly now,
51:40
this is one that you can look up.
51:42
So please do not cheat because it is a hard question and I've
51:46
stumped a lot of people with it already.
51:48
We talked about the Preds players hoping to make the
51:50
Olympics. NHL ers have not been in the
51:53
Olympics in 12 years. Since 2014.
51:57
There are only two current Preds players who have ever played in
52:01
the Olympics. Tell us who they are in a tweet
52:04
with #preds podcast and we will be rewarding at least one
52:10
correct responder. We will say 1 is a pretty
52:14
obvious, 11 May not be as obvious.
52:19
So good luck, please don't cheat and you will be rewarded.
52:24
It's a great question. I couldn't get it.
52:26
I got the obvious one and then the wheel started turning and
52:30
kind of disappointed in myself. But it's, it's not as easy as
52:33
you might think it is. It's a really, really great
52:35
trivia question. So as as Max said, use #preds
52:38
podcast. We've also gotten some comments
52:40
on the video on YouTube, as we've mentioned as well.
52:43
You can comment below if you're watching us on YouTube.
52:46
Just a few folks who have watched you have just simply
52:49
said they've enjoyed watching it and they're so glad we're back.
52:52
So thanks to them for commenting.
52:54
We're glad that you're watching our smiling faces and we're
52:58
grateful for all of you for watching, for listening.
53:01
It really is excited to have gotten this back up and going
53:04
again, having so much fun doing it alongside Kara and Max.
53:08
And we're very appreciative for all of you who have taken the
53:11
time to watch and listen thus far.
53:13
And there will be so much more good content to come as we
53:17
finally drop the puck on opening night.
53:21
We're back. We're back, baby.
53:24
Thanks to everyone who made this episode possible.
53:26
My name is Max Hearst from Predators Radio.
53:28
You can hear us all season long. Follow me if you want.
53:31
You don't have to at Max Hearstalks.
53:34
I'm Kara Hammer. Check us out on FanDuel all
53:36
season long. We can't wait to get the
53:38
coverage started on your television.
53:41
And I'm Brooks Bratton. You can follow me at Brooks
53:43
Bratton on X Read all my work on Nashville predators.com and
53:48
Brooks Fights on Instagram. Never.
53:50
Never. Thank you all so much for
53:54
watching, listening, subscribing.
53:56
We're great. We're grateful for all of you
53:58
and we're grateful to start another Predators season with
54:01
all of you as well. This is the POP on ESPN one O 2
54:05
five and one O 6 three of the game and YouTube.
54:08
Enjoy the hockey everyone.