The Nashville Predators opened their six-game preseason schedule with a doubleheader sweep of the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 21.
Erik Haula, Ryder Rolston, Reid Schaefer and David Edstrom scored in the first game, with Haula scoring twice in the 5-0 win. In the second game, Matthew Wood led the Predators with a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win. Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Cole Smith and Ryan O’Reilly also scored in the second game.
The Predators’ preseason slate continues on Sept. 23 when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena.
After issuing the usual disclaimer that these are just preseason games, here are three observations from the Predators’ sweep of the Panthers.
Erik Haula should help Jonathan Marchessault get back on track
Acquiring Haula in a trade with New Jersey was one of Nashville’s offseason surprises. But it could end up being a low-risk, high-reward gamble for general manager Barry Trotz.
Coming off an 11-goal, 10-assist season with the Devils, Haula won’t be expected to play top-line minutes. He’s likely a third-line center and could play with Marchessault to start the year.
Erik Haula tells us he was “very much a part of the process” in the trade to get him to Nashville.
“It was my top choice” pic.twitter.com/CqJU4ie44E
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) September 18, 2025
Even at 34, Haula has some bite to his game — an aggressive forechecker, strong on the puck and a skilled passer. That should help Marchessault get back to goal scoring, something he didn’t showcase enough last season.
The key? Haula could help Marchessault get more shots on net. Last season, Marchessault finished with only 206 shots, his lowest total in an 82-game season since 2016. With Haula at center, Marchessault should improve upon his 21-goal season.
Matthew Wood pulls ahead in Predators’ rookie race
Wood, Brady Martin and Joakim Kemell entered training camp in competition for one, maybe two roster spots earmarked for rookies. After the first week of camp, give Wood the edge.
“I thought he was really good tonight, I think he’s been really good all camp,” coach Andrew Brunette said after the game. “He made an unbelievable play on (Stamkos’) goal.”
Against Florida, Wood led Nashville with a goal and two assists. His goal was a long-range shot that deflected off a defender in front, but the assists were more impressive. The first included a nifty move around a defender before sliding a pass to a wide-open Stamkos. The other was a power play assist where he whipped the puck to O’Reilly on the red line, who found Forsberg in the slot.
Matthew Wood with a CRAZY feed to Steven Stamkos 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mRaaNOTMEe
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) September 21, 2025
“When he’s moving his feet, when he’s getting those (hard) areas, his offensive instincts and poise really take over. That was crystal clear tonight,” Brunette said.
Wood’s cup of coffee with Nashville late last season seemed to indicate he’d need a full year in the American Hockey League — and that still might happen, when it’s all over — but he has been right at home with NHL players this camp.
Filip Forsberg’s leadership role for Predators is emerging
Forsberg’s primary linemates in the second game were 18-year-old Martin and 20-year-old Wood. According to Brunette, the plan was to give Forsberg a leadership role in the preseason.
“I really liked (Forsberg’s) leadership with that group,” Brunette said. “It was fun for me to watch him have fun with that. To watch him talking, encouraging them, being patient with them at different times. That reeks of leadership.”
Forsberg, 31, has always had a role among Nashville’s leaders. He has worn the “A” designation on his jersey at times as an alternate captain, but mostly he has led through example.
Now with talented offensive rookies, it’s no surprise Brunette would rely on the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer.
“It’s fun to see from (Forsberg),” Brunette said. “You can see he’s enjoying it, and for them to have success together, it’s a cool thing to see.”
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Three observations from the Predators’ preseason sweep of Panthers
