The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators open their preseason schedules against each other on October 2 at Bridgestone Arena, with both Central Division clubs debuting key offseason additions.
The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators kick off their 2026-27 preseason on Friday, October 2 at Bridgestone Arena, a Central Division clash that gives both teams their first look at retooled rosters. Minnesota enters holding 3rd place in the division, while Nashville sits 5th, and each side made significant offseason moves to close the gap. The Wild added veteran grit in Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta, while the Predators landed 20-goal center Mavrik Bourque. With no regular-season games played, this exhibition will be the first measuring stick for both clubs—and the edge may belong to whichever new pieces mesh fastest.
Minnesota Wild: New Faces, Same Core
The Wild were busy this summer, acquiring forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Calgary Flames while re-signing their own free agents. Coleman brings playoff experience and a middle-six scoring touch, while Maatta is expected to stabilize the second pairing on a blue line that faces increased scrutiny after Bowen Byram’s $12.5M AAV contract reset the market for defensemen. Minnesota’s standing at 3rd in the Central suggests they’re in the mix, but the division is deep, and the Wild will need their retooled depth to produce early. The club is also one of four teams whose games will be produced and distributed by the NHL this season, a broadcast shift that adds a layer of visibility to their preseason progress.
Nashville Predators: Bourque Era Begins
The Predators made the boldest move of their offseason by acquiring restricted free agent Mavrik Bourque from the Dallas Stars and quickly signing him to a six-year, $33 million contract. Bourque, 24, posted 20 goals and 21 assists in 82 games last season, and Nashville is betting on him as a top-six center entering his prime. The trade cost was modest—a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick—and also brought in veteran defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, who adds stability on the back end. Sitting 5th in the Central, the Predators have ground to make up, and this preseason game will be the first chance to see Bourque in a Nashville sweater and how he meshes with the existing lineup.
Head-to-Head: Preseason Priorities
Preseason games are about evaluation, not standings, but this matchup carries real stakes for both teams. Minnesota will be looking to see how Coleman fits in a middle-six role and whether Maatta can anchor the second pairing, while Nashville will be focused on Bourque’s chemistry with his new linemates and how Lyubushkin pairs with the existing defense corps. Both teams are coming off no game action, so conditioning and system familiarity will be key. The Wild have the edge in veteran experience, but the Predators have the higher-ceiling addition in Bourque.
- Minnesota Wild: 3rd in Central Division; added Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta via trade.
- Nashville Predators: 5th in Central Division; signed Mavrik Bourque to six-year, $33M deal.
- Bourque: 20 goals, 21 assists in 82 games last season with Dallas.
- Wild and Predators both have no games played yet in 2026-27.
- Game is at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, on Oct. 2 at 7:00 PM CT.
Prediction
With both teams breaking in new pieces, expect a competitive but sloppy preseason opener. Nashville’s home-ice advantage and the motivation of Bourque’s debut give them a slight edge. Prediction: Predators win 3-2 in a shootout.
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