Nashville Predators’ Josi and Forsberg Return to Full Practice After Injury
The Nashville Predators are gearing up for the upcoming season, and the return of two of their key players is providing a major boost. Defenseman Roman Josi and forward Filip Forsberg have both returned to full practice after recovering from injuries that kept them out of action for significant portions of the previous season.
Josi, the team’s captain, missed the final 15 games of the season due to a concussion sustained on March 18. Meanwhile, Forsberg missed the team’s last 32 games after suffering a concussion on February 11. Their presence on the ice during the first day of training camp was a welcome sight for the Predators and their fans.
Both players are vital members of Nashville’s returning core, which will be complemented by new additions and promising young prospects. The Predators, under new coach Andrew Brunette, are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
For Josi, it took about a month of the offseason to fully recover from his concussion. However, once he felt ready, he wasted no time getting back into action. So as soon as that happened, I knew I was 100 percent, said Josi. I went back on the ice and skated pretty hard, made sure everything’s good.
Forsberg, on the other hand, came close to returning a couple of times last season but didn’t feel right. However, after the season ended and the pressure was off, he began to feel better. Once I got back on the ice, it was a different feeling, and I’ve just been getting better and better, Forsberg explained.
The Predators underwent several changes during the offseason, with several veteran players departing. However, instead of relying solely on young talent, new general manager Barry Trotz brought in experienced players known for their winning mentality and leadership. The additions of Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Schenn, and Gustav Nyquist are expected to provide a strong mix of experience and youth.
The team’s focus now is to familiarize themselves with new coach Andrew Brunette’s system. Brunette, who served as the interim coach for the Florida Panthers last season, emphasized the importance of playing with pace. O’Reilly mentioned that the team displayed good pace and attention to detail during the first day of practice.
The return of Josi and Forsberg, combined with the offseason acquisitions, has injected renewed optimism into the Predators organization. As they aim to return to the playoffs, the Predators’ core players, along with the fresh faces on the roster, will be crucial in achieving success in the upcoming season.
