Perhaps Cole O’Hara said it best on Saturday morning.
“Seems like summer was last week, but it’s nice to kind of just get thrown right into the fire,” the winger stated following Nashville’s Rookie Camp practice at Centennial Ice Rink. “Get the high pace going right away so you’re ready for these two games.”
He’s right - in less than 24 hours, the Predators top hopefuls will face off against their peers from the Carolina Hurricanes just outside of Raleigh in the 2026 Prospect Showcase.
Training Camp for the rest of Nashville’s NHLers begins Wednesday, but for the rookies, the work has already begun.
After the Preds face the Canes on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. CT, they’ll take on Tampa Bay at 1 p.m. CT Monday before heading home, and while these games don’t mean anything on the ledger, they carry plenty of importance for those trying to show they deserve an NHL spot - whether this season or in the years to follow.
O’Hara is one of a few on the roster with NHL experience - he made his debut in the final game of the season last April at Bridgestone Arena - so he’s got an idea of what to expect.
Brady Martin knows, too.
Attending his second Rookie Camp after Nashville selected him fifth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old centerman made the Predators roster out of Training Camp last October and got three games of NHL action to his name.
Now, he’s looking to take the next step, and a solid showing in North Carolina would certainly help his case.
“Just going out there and put my best foot forward,” Martin said of his approach this weekend. “Showcase what I’ve got. [The Predators have] new management and everyone’s watching. Just go out there and showcase my skill and my work ethic.”
Martin, who spends his summers doing plenty of work on the family farm back home in Canada, says he put on a few pounds of muscle since last year and feels good following a shoulder injury.
He’s also another year older, and while still just a teenager, every bit of knowledge helps.
“I think it's more experience and just skills, like working a lot of in-tight skills and details like that,” Martin said of how his game has changed in a year. “And I think just another year under your belt. Everyone gets better as they get older, so I think it’s just experience [that helps].”
Aiden Fink also spent time in the Nashville locker room at the end of last season after completing his collegiate career at Penn State before rattling off 10 points in just six games with AHL Milwaukee.
That experience will help, but now he’s ready for the challenge of proving himself all over again.
“I'm excited to be in this organization,” Fink said. “No matter where I go this year, I'm going to be excited. I love this organization. The fans are amazing. Everything's amazing. So, I think this weekend's going to be really fun. It's my first [Rookie Camp], so I’m going to see how it goes. Obviously I'm going to try to perform at my best, and my goal is to make the team.”
One prospect hoping for that first NHL taste is 6-foot-3 forward Vitali Pinchuk. The 24-year-old native of Belarus signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Preds last spring after tallying 31 goals and 66 points in the KHL last season.
Now, the centerman - who spoke to the Nashville media Saturday for the first time - is thrilled for the opportunity in front of him.
“I'm excited to be here,” Pinchuk smiled. “I want to show my best for [the coaches] and show my skill level… [I chose to sign with Nashville because I spoke] with the general manager, and I liked what he said. Great city, great team, a lot of older guys who can help you and teaching you - it’s good.”
Pinchuk specifically mentioned new Preds defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, an NHL veteran, has been helpful with translating from Russian to English, and the young forward has been enjoying the Nashville weather and smiling faces.
And while the language barrier might present a challenge from time to time, Pinchuk is certainly more than just getting by.
“I understand all hockey things, and that's good,” Pinchuk smiled. “And I can say, like, ‘I'm hungry.’ That's good.”
Pinchuk and his teammates have a hunger for wins in Carolina as they shake off the summer rust and get back into game shape ahead of Training Camp next week. The goal is to not only do well individually, but collectively, too.
One thing is for certain though - summer is over, and the next generation of Preds are more than ready for the puck to drop.
“I can go into this weekend, and I think I can perform really well,” Fink said. “I can help this team win two games, and I’m super excited to get this thing going in Carolina.”
The Predators will face off against prospects from the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning in the showcase, playing each team once during the two-day event held at Invisalign Arena. Nashville will play Carolina on Sept. 13 at 1:35 p.m. CT and Tampa Bay on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. CT.
The 2026 Prospect Showcase precedes the opening of Nashville’s Training Camp, which begins Sept. 16 with physicals and team meetings.
Click here for the full Rookie Camp roster. Both of the Predators’ 2026 Prospect Showcase games will be streamed live on NashvillePredators.com.
