Predators Official Podcast

Kara Hammer & Max Herz recap the first two regular season games, including a 3-0 shutout win in the home opener against the Kraken. 

New Predators general manager Barry Trotz joins the podcast as he begins his first season in management (12:15). Interview topics with Trotz include his return to Nashville after 10 years coaching other NHL teams, his expectations for his first season as GM, how Luke Evangelista & Phil Tomasino took the path he gave them to make the opening night roster, and Garth Brooks.

Max spent a period in the Predators' newly-renovated video room with video coach Lawrence Feloney & video coordinator Andrew Meloche, getting an inside look at an integral part of the team's coaching staff.

Plus, Juuse Saros' TV commercial with Ryan O'Reilly is a smash hit, shutout machine #NoGoals, and Hal Gill goofs around.

Tweet us anytime with your questions, comments, and/or Zamboni popcorn tubs with #PredsPodcast for your chance to win autographed Preds gear!

Former Conn Smythe & Selke winner Ryan O'Reilly signed a four year deal with the Predators this summer, and he joins the POP during his first preseason with the team (10:10), discussing living with his brother Cal O'Reilly and his family during training camp, his love of music as he arrives in Smashville and playing with Filip Forsberg & Juuso Parssinen.

Kara Hammer and Max Herz discuss the final week of preseason camp and the addition of winger Samuel Fagemo off waivers from the Kings.

Plus, opening weekend watch party and Gold Walk plans and your Twitter questions!

Kara Hammer and Max Herz host the Predators Official Podcast for the 2023-24 season!

New Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette joins the show (16:07) to discuss the Predators' new system, leading the franchise for which he scored the first ever goal 25 years ago and how he spurned his future wife at a public skate in Sudbury when they were 13 years old.

Plus, Kara & Max examine the Predators' training camp roster and tell you their favorite new food items at Bridgestone Arena this season.

Tweet your questions, comments or bottomless popcorn Zambonis using #PredsPodcast for a chance to win tickets to the home opener on Thursday, Oct. 12 against the Kraken!

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Kiefer Sherwood. Kiefer played 32 games for the Nashville Predators in the 2022-23 season. He tallied 7 goals and 6 assists. He's now back in Milwaukee competing in the Calder Cup playoffs for the Admirals. He discusses what this season has been like for him beginning with the Preds overseas, then with the team the first month of the season, back to Milwaukee for awhile before rejoining the Predators for the stretch run starting in late February.

Darren and Kara talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs, Mark Borowiecki (BoroCop) retiring, and the Predators extend their AFFILIATION AGREEMENT with AHL’S MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with play by play man Aaron Sims of the Milwaukee Admirals. Aaron talks about the Admirals getting ready for the Calder Cup playoffs. He shares his thoughts on Predators prospects Joakim Kemell and Yaroslav Askarov. Aaron talks about his dealings with head coach Karl Taylor and how the players relate to him.

Darren and Kara also discuss the end of the Predators regular season and what lies ahead with these young guys moving forward and the veteran players coming back into the mix.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Matt Duchene. He discusses getting hit by a puck on his ring finger on the left hand during a game on March 26 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matt said leading up to that play it was his third hand injury that week and at times couldn't even hold his stick. Matt talks about how he personally dealt with the trading deadline and the moves that were made.

Darren and Kara also discuss the last game of the season being the last ever game for David Poile as the General Manager of the Predators. 

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Egor Afanasyev on his way to the airport as the Predators depart for their final road trip of the regular season - a trip to Winnipeg and Calgary that could determine whether this Preds team gets in the playoffs or not. Egor talks about who he sits with on the team plane and what his first 15 NHL games have been like. Darren and Kara also discuss the shutout victory over Carolina, the Preds now being one point out of a Wild Card position and how much fun these young players have been to watch. Finally, Darren and Kara answer some #AskPOP questions from listeners of the show. 

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer chat with Brentwood native and Preds fan Caleb Miele, who celebrated his 17th birthday by reading the Predators starting lineup in the locker room before their game against Boston. Next, Clarksville native and sculptor Scott Wise joins the podcast to talk about his latest project creating Pekka Rinne's bronze statue.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with current Predators player Phil Tomasino. He talks about what these 15 games have been like since he joined the team from Milwaukee. Phil discusses what it was like being told out of camp that he didn't make the opening roster and was going back to the AHL. He tells if he watches the NCAA basketball tournament and if he filled out a bracket.

Darren and Kara answer some #AskPOP questions from Twitter and weigh in on their thoughts if this team can make the playoffs and how big this final stretch of the regular season games are going to be.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with current Predators player Luke Evangelista. He talks about his "welcome to the NHL moment" and what these first five games in the National Hockey League have been like. Including lighting the lamp not just once but twice in Vancouver and what that was like. Luke discusses what his family means to him and growing up waiting for this day to come.

Darren and Kara answer some #AskPOP questions from Twitter and weigh in on their thoughts of everything that has happened on this long road trip.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with current Predators General Manager David Poile.  David talks with them about the moves that have been made to the roster before the Friday March 3 NHL trade deadline. It has been awhile since he has been in "sell" mode but he explains why. He also talks about some of the new additions.

Darren and Kara answer some #AskPOP questions from Twitter and weigh in on their thoughts of everything that has happened in the last five days. 

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Steve Mayer of the NHL. He is the Chief Content Officer and oversees the Events and Entertainment department. Steve talks with Darren and Kara about the Awards Show coming to Nashville on June 26 and the Draft on June 28 & 29 and what to expect.

He also weighs in on "Behind the Glass" and the Stadium Series that was played at Nissan Stadium almost a year ago between the Preds and the Lightning. Darren and Kara talk about the last 2 wins by the Predators and answer some questions from #AskPOP.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer sit down with P.K. Subban before the Arizona game where he was being recognized. P.K. talks about his time with the Preds and what it meant to him and his career. He discusses how his bond started with defenseman Mattias Ekholm as a pair on their run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Darren also catches up with former Predators player Craig Smith who was in town with the Boston Bruins. Craig shares the big news that his wife is pregnant with their first child and he goes down memory lane about his time in Nashville.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Preds Centerman Cody Glass. He tells the story how he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend during the break. Cody talks about what it's been like playing along side Forsberg and Duchene and what this season has been like for him.

Darren and Kara discuss the game against Vegas coming out of the break and what the rest of the schedule looks like this month. Make sure to post a question every week on Twitter using the #askpop for a chance to win tickets to an upcoming game or something autographed by the team or a player.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with longtime hockey writer Kevin Allen. Kevin has been covering the NHL for over 35 years and discusses All-Star Weekend, the health of the League and an article he wrote in USA Today on then Predators player Jordin Tootoo in his hometown of Nunavut.

Darren and Kara also catch up with Preds Reporter Emma Lingan in Sunrise, Florida covering All-Star Weekend about what players around the League are saying about Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Nashville Predators Head Coach John Hynes as the team heads into the All-Star break. He talks about beating Los Angeles, Winnipeg and New Jersey before the break and weighs in on an important team meeting after the loss in St. Louis. Hynes also discusses Alexandre Carrier defending one of his teammates and how it will now cost him some time. He even shares his thoughts on goaltender Yaroslav Askarov making his first NHL start.

Darren and Kara also catch up with Predators Beat Reporter Emma Lingan before she heads down to Sunrise, Florida to cover the NHL All-Star Game.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Nashville Predators In-Game Host Wayne D. He talks about how he ended up in Smashville getting Preds fans fired up at Bridgestone Arena. Wayne D shares some in game memories that will certainly have you laughing. He also talks about his time in Vegas as the first ever In-Game Host of the Golden Knights.

Darren and Kara also discuss the current state of the Preds, the return of Michael McCarron to the team after completing the NHL Player Assistance Program and the NHL debut of goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Nashville Predators President and CEO Sean Henry. He talks about that Friday morning November 25, 2022 when he learned Bridgestone Arena was flooding due to a water main break. Sean discusses having to cancel two regular season home games and moving other events around to different locations.

Sean talks about the P.K. Subban trade in 2016 that brought him to Nashville. He also talks about a new area in the Arena that will have fans wanting to check out when it's done.

Darren and Kara also catch up with Emma Lingan in Montreal before the game against the Canadiens on P.K. Subban night.

In the first episode of 2023, Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer get reaction from former Predators goaltender and now team television color commentator Chris Mason. He discusses Juuse Saros' franchise record 64 saves in a single game in Carolina.  Saros is just the second goaltender in NHL history to make at least 64 saves in a win.

Darren and Kara also discuss the Predators division and the Western Conference as a whole with E.J. Hradek of NHL Network, as teams approach the midway point of the regular season.

And finally, they check in with Emma Lingan in Washington as the Predators face another big road test against the Capitals and former Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette.

In the final POP episode of 2022, Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer sit down Radio Play-by-Play Host Pete Weber. Among the many stories Pete has from his 23+ years with the Predators, he shares some current personal news that you will want to hear.

Darren and Kara also catch up with Emma Lingan from Anaheim ahead of the Preds match-up with the Ducks. Emma shares a conversation she had with Preds defenseman Alex Carrier as he gets settled back in after his return from a stint on IR.