The Predators opened training camp at Ford Ice Center on Thursday without one of the team’s forwards.
Luke Evangelista
Photo: Casey Gower
Right wing Luke Evangelista, who posted 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 68 games last season, remains without a contract as the two sides continue to negotiate.
“I think we’re in sort of a daily process,” Predators General Manager Barry Trotz said. “So we’re going to work through that and see if we can get him here.”
The Predators made a qualifying offer to Evangelista, a restricted free agent, during the offseason, securing his negotiating rights and preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
But the two sides have been unable to work out a new deal.
A second-round draft pick in 2020, Evangelista made an impressive NHL debut during the 2022-23 season, totaling 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 24 games. The 23-year-old added 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in 80 contests the following season.
Evangelista is expected to play a middle-six role for the Preds this season, and Trotz said there are no plans to trade him due to the current contract situation.
“That’s not even a thought,” Trotz said. “We love Luke. We’ve got a great young group that we would like him to grow with and be a part of, and there’s great opportunity on that roster for him.”
Trotz touched on a number of topics just before the Preds players hit the ice for their first practice sessions.
Here are some highlights:
On current injuries:
Defenseman Tanner Molendyk, a 2023 first-round pick, is day to day with a lower body injury. Defenseman Cameron Reid, a 2025 first-round pick, is out with a lower body injury.
On Roman Josi’s health, after the defenseman was diagnosed earlier this year with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which can cause symptoms like dizziness, fatigue and an increased heart rate.
“He’s seen all the experts and done all the things he needs to do. He feels great. If you talk to him, he’ll say it’s not an issue at all going forward. So having a healthy, focused Roman Josi is a huge boost to our team and franchise … Having him back and refreshed, and confident and understanding of his whole situation, he’s in a great place right now.”
On who starts as the team’s first-line center:
“Right now, it’s Ryan O’Reilly. He plays on both sides of the puck. We’re trying to develop those young guys. Three or four years down the road, our center ice will probably be all draft choices, and there are some good pieces there.”
On whether Steven Stamkos will start camp at center or wing:
“Ideally, I’d like to keep Steven on wing. He’s been productive there, but obviously Steven is a fallback to the center ice position for [coach Andrew Brunette], either through play, injuries, whatever. But I think everyone would like to have Steven [at wing] … I think he feels comfortable there. But he can play both, which is a great thing to have. “
On his impressions of 2025 first-round pick Brady Martin in rookie camp:
“I thought he did really great in the first [exhibition] game. Very physical, very fast type of game, and I thought he made plays. As [camp] went on a little bit, night in and night out, going against those top guys, you can see the youth in him a little bit, but you can also see the great ability to make plays.
“He’s going to have to continually get bigger and stronger, like we say about almost every 18-, 19-year-old that’s playing junior [hockey] right now … [But] it’s exciting. He’s got a lot of game, a lot of character and a lot of substance, too.”
On getting out of the gate quicker this season, after going 5-10 in the first 15 games in each of Brunette’s first two seasons.
“We’ve got to get off to a good start. You never make the playoffs in the first month, but you can miss them in the first month. And that’s sort of what we did last year.”