The Nashville Predators have packed a lot into one busy stretch, and the latest buzz centers on a possible big swing on defense.
The name drawing the most attention is Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin. Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 thoughts that Nashville has expressed interest in the 24-year-old Russian defenseman, who put up 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games this season. Nikishin is a qualified restricted free agent, which means any team can sign him, though the original club can reject the deal and collect draft picks as compensation.
That matters here because the Predators could have the flexibility to work with the draft picks they acquired from New Jersey, not necessarily to offersheet Nikishin, but potentially to land him in a trade. Carolina is reportedly uncertain about the long-term fit and cost of his next contract, and Friedman suggested a deal could be based on the eight-year, $75.04 million contract signed by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium. If Nashville decides to go all in, it may need to commit a sizable chunk of money, but the upside is obvious.
Nikishin would bring a left-handed presence and could step in as the Predators’ top young defenseman right away. As beat reporter Nick Kieser wrote for heavy, "he fits in their timeline, and they don't have any prime defenceman in that age group...and the Predators are trying to establish a new vision this season. MacFarland even mentioned adding a puck-moving defenseman earlier this summer."
Cost will be the real question. If Nikishin is open to taking a discount because of Tennessee’s zero state income tax, a long-term agreement in the $7.5-8 million range would be realistic.
There’s also a familiar face back in the picture. Tyson Jost is returning to the Predators on a professional tryout agreement, giving him a shot to earn a roster spot at training camp and through the preseason.
Jost, 28, appeared in 69 games for Nashville after being claimed off waivers from Carolina at the start of last season. He finished with eight goals and 16 points, with much of that production coming in the second half. He carved out a useful role in the bottom six, giving the Predators some timely offense while also helping out defensively by blocking shooting lanes.
He went unsigned for a couple of months after Nashville chose not to bring him back, but now he’ll get another look under Chris MacFarland, the Predators president of hockey operations and general manager.
Meanwhile, rookie camp gets underway today with physicals and team meetings before the group heads to North Carolina for the 2026 Prospect Showcase.
There’s plenty for fans to keep an eye on there, starting up front. The forward group is led by centers Aiden Fink, Brady Martin, Vitali Pinchuk and Felix Nilsson, along with wingers Cole O'Hara, Kalan Lind and Joey Willis. It’s a mix of scoring touch and two-way upside that gives Nashville a strong crop of young talent to watch.
The blue line group is just as interesting, with Tanner Molendyk, Viggo Gustafsson and Andrew Gibson headlining the defense corps. That group brings a blend of offensive and defensive skill, and it gives the Predators a real pool of options as they look ahead to possible call-ups this season.
In goal, Nashville will take three netminders to the showcase: Isak Posch, T.J. Semptimphelter and Ben Hrebik. Each has shown encouraging signs in his previous league play, and the next test will be how they stack up against some of the best prospects in hockey.