Predators roll out high-scoring newcomers against 'smart' Stars

The Nashville Predators went through a celebrated facelift in the offseason, hoping that the additions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault will provide a new wrinkle to an offense that relied heavily on its top line in 2023-24.

The new-look Predators would like to see immediate results from those two stars as well as new addition Brady Skjei on Thursday when they begin their season against the visiting Dallas Stars.

Nashville will face a tall task right out of the chute in Dallas, which won the Central Division title last season and advanced to the Western Conference final for the second straight year before falling to Connor McDavid and the high-octane Edmonton Oilers.

"I think it's going to be a little early for measuring-stick games," Stamkos said of facing the Stars. "Certainly a team that is around the league a contending favorite. You look at how deep they are on the roster. They have some really good young talent that has emerged the last couple years. A team that we're going to be fighting (against) all season long.

"It's good. You go through (training) camp and you go through preseason, but it's another level when you get to the regular season. We'll expect the best from them and our group as well."

Stamkos, 34, reached the 40-goal plateau for the seventh time in his decorated career last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Marchessault, 33, accomplished the feat for the first time in 2023-24 by netting 42 with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The duo will look to give Nashville other viable options for scoring outside of its top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist. Forsberg set the franchise scoring record with 48 goals last season, O'Reilly added a team-leading 14 power-play tallies and Nyquist had 52 assists.

Captain Roman Josi essentially served as a fourth forward while stepping up offensively as a defenseman.

Skjei also will look to shore up the back end in front of goaltender Juuse Saros, who signed an eight-year, $61.9 million contract on July 1.

The Predators benefited from a strong finishing kick to reach the playoffs as a wild-card team in the Western Conference. Nashville's stay in the postseason was a short one however, as it fell in six games to the Vancouver Canucks.

Dallas' stay was much longer due in large part to Wyatt Johnston, who recorded 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in the playoffs after totaling 65 (32 goals, 33 assists) while appearing in all 82 games during the regular season.

Johnston, 21, is expected to take the place of the retired Joe Pavelski and play on the top line with Jason Robertson (29 goals, 51 assists) and Roope Hintz (30, 35).

"With guys like that, it's pretty easy," Johnston said. "They're so smart. You noticed that the first time I played with them. They're always in the right spot, and they're always making plays. It's on a guy like me to be able to play off them and help make them better."

Like Dallas' NFL team, the Stars have questions on the defensive end.

Sure, Miro Heiskanen headlines the group and Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley provide a presence as well, but the team is needing others to step up in front of goaltender Jake Oettinger.