On Saturday, the Nashville Predators claimed forward Liam Foudy off waivers, and Monday morning he joined the Predators for practice. There were a few familiar faces among his new teammates. Foudy and offseason free agent signing Gustav Nyquist played together for a time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Luke Evangelista and Foudy were teammates in the OHL for two seasons with the London Knights. In the 2019-20 season, Foudy and Evangelista were line mates before COVID cut the season short.
Evangelista says Foudy is one of the fastest skaters he's played with and credits Foudy with being good in all areas of the ice.
"He just kind of does everything well," Evangelista said. "I think his versatility is going to be really helpful for us here."
Foudy found out Friday that he was being placed on waivers, and when he heard that he was headed to Nashville Saturday afternoon he called his family to update them. He is excited about his new opportunity with the Predators.
"I think a fresh start is always nice when I find myself in a little bit of a rut over there in and out of the lineup," Foudy said after practice on Monday.
"Coming to a new organization, obviously they believe in me. They picked me up to come here and get a fresh opportunity."
His versatility is something Foudy believes can be useful up and down the lineup, and his speed is a good match for a Predators' team looking to play a faster game.
"Everyone I've talked to in the organization so far is trying to be a faster team and push the pace offensively," Foudy said.
"Whenever I can do that and helping on the forecheck or flying out of the zone or pushing the D back, there's many ways that speed can help."
He is also hoping that a change of scenery will help get his scoring touch back.
"I feel if I can just get comfortable again, I can find a scoring touch and produce," Foudy said.
There will be no rush to get Foudy into the lineup immediately. Andrew Brunette knows he will need time to adjust to new systems and how the Predators do things, but Brunette is excited to see more from the most recent addition to the roster.
"I think any time you get a chance to add a young former first rounder with a good skill package, you try to take a swing at it," Brunette said. "I'm excited to get my eyes on him a little more."
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