Predators eager to return after team's shortest off-season

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators couldn't be happier to return to work after their painful loss in the Stanley Cup Final , a deep playoff run that made for the shortest off-season in franchise history.

"I feel like it's been enough time," goaltender Pekka Rinne said Thursday. "I had a good few months in Finland, close to my family, my friends. Enough time to get ready, enough time to work, train and be off the ice and get your body recovered and also ready. So I think it was enough time."

Many of the Predators have been skating together for the past three weeks, and 20 of them helped the NFL's Tennessee Titans kick off their season last weekend as the honorary 12th Titan.

They reported Thursday to Bridgestone Arena for the start of training camp, and they spoke in a hallway outside the visitors' locker room with renovations to their own dressing room not finished yet for the Western Conference champs. They hit the ice Friday for testing followed by the first practice Saturday.

Center Ryan Johansen said it feels awesome to get back to work and see teammates again with the off-season over after a painful loss to Pittsburgh in six games in June .

"Everyone's always looking forward to a fresh start, new season," Johansen said. "Looking forward to get things going."

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Here are some things to know as the Predators get started:

FULLY RECOVERED: Johansen, knocked out of the Western Conference finals with acute compartment syndrome in his left thigh, said he's completely healthy. Same with forward Kevin Fiala, who broke his left femur in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against St. Louis. Johansen signed an eight-year, $64 million deal in late July, perhaps the biggest sign of confidence from the Predators that their first-line centre recovered nicely.

But centre Nick Bonino, a free agent addition from the Pittsburgh Penguins, is recovering from surgery in July to add a couple screws in the foot he broke during the Stanley Cup Final. He said he remains on track for his goal of playing in the season opener Oct. 5 in Boston.

CAPTAIN, WHO'S CAPTAIN: Mike Fisher announced his retirement in August after 17 NHL seasons , leaving the Predators looking for his replacement. Not that Nashville is in a big hurry to name the eighth captain in franchise history. Defencemen Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis are among the options, and it was Josi who had the honours among the Predators of plunging a sword into the field before the Titans' season opener last weekend. Johansen said the Predators all know who their leaders are. "That's just something coaches will announce I'm sure when they're ready," Johansen said.

WAITING ON ELLIS: The Predators announced last week that Ellis, who was at his best in the playoffs with 13 points, will be out until late December or maybe even January as he recovers from off-season knee surgery. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Ellis played with Josi down the stretch before being hurt during the Stanley Cup Final.

Nashville traded for Alexei Emelin, a move general manager David Poile said was made knowing they would need help while Ellis recovered. Now Predators coach Peter Laviolette has to decide whether to play Emelin with Josi or break up the pairing of All-Star P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm. Subban played with Emelin in Montreal and said obviously he developed great chemistry with Ekholm. "It's going to come down to what's best for the team, and if it's best for us to play together still," Subban said. "If not, we're going to have to be positive about the situation we're in."

NOT SO NEW FACE: A year ago, the Predators had to work Subban into their mix. Now there's Bonino, Emelin and Scott Hartnell. The 35-year-old-veteran isn't a stranger to Nashville, drafted by the Predators sixth overall in 2000. He signed a one-year contract for $1 million in July.

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Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press