Defenseman Luke Prokop, speaking after team practice on Thursday afternoon, said the group's expectations - as well as camaraderie - are exceedingly high.
"I think we have a really strong team - a really big team - and I think we're looking to win all three games and perform really well at the showcase," Prokop said. "We've had a lot of guys who've been here for a few years now, so we've gotten to know each other a little bit, and the new guys who are here have fit right in. Some of us have played with each other before, so the group is gelling well and that's good for the chemistry on the ice."
With Nashville's 23-man roster coming from varying clubs and degrees of experience, the systems work and opponent-specific preparation was kept to a minimum.
Instead, the Predators front office and coaching staff want to see what the group - and its many individual talents - can do when put into a real-game scenario.
"You kind of just want to let us go play and see how we perform, just on a regular basis without really any coaching," Prokop said. "I think that gives the coaching staff in Nashville a real glimpse of who we are as true players and kind of create us individually from there."
When it comes to this prospect group, there's plenty to work with.
There's defenseman Spencer Stastney, who iced a 27-point, 39-game season with the University of Notre Dame before being called into action for his first two professional games at the end of 2021-22 with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals.
"I think I definitely just put in the work this summer and I'm excited for anything that happens," Stastney said. "I'm just excited to get back on the ice and join a solid team. I know a lot of the guys and it's a good group of guys here, so it'll just be fun."
And, of course, there's Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville's top goaltending prospect.
"I'm excited," Prokop said with a smile. "I've gotten to know him quite well over these last couple of days that I've been here. He's a really funny guy, a character off the ice, and his personality shows up on the ice as well. So, I know whenever I make a mistake, that guy is there to back me up. We're lucky to have him between the pipes."
Friday's game - as well as Sunday's against Carolina and Monday's against Florida - will be streaming on NashvillePredators.com.
Be sure to follow the Predators on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well for all the latest updates from the tournament.
Click here for a full Prospect Showcase roster
and see below for the full schedule:
Friday, Sept. 16 @ 12 p.m. CT - Predators vs. Lightning, Invisalign Arena (Morrisville, N.C.)
Saturday, Sept. 17 - Day Off
Sunday, Sept. 18 @ 9 a.m. CT - Predators vs. Hurricanes, PNC Arena (Raleigh, N.C.)
Monday, Sept. 19 @ 9 a.m. CT- Predators vs. Panthers, PNC Arena (Raleigh, N.C.)
