The goal for former Moose Jaw Warriors forward Tanner Jeannot hasn't changed over the course of his last few seasons: make the NHL. Just before the New Year, he got another step closer to that goal and now he's in the process of fighting for a spot on an NHL roster. 

The Nashville Predators announced they were recalling Jeannot along with several other members of the ECHL's Florida Everblades for their main camp. Jeannot has now been through a couple of skates with the main group. 

"Earlier, we had heard that the NHL and the NHLPA got some negotiations over with so the NHL season was going to start," he said. "We were waiting to get the call when camp was going to start. We got that call and it was really good to get it and now we're here and we're excited to get going."

Jeannot's recall is the latest step on what has been a steady rise for him over the last several seasons. His production improved every year with the Warriors to the point where he scored 40 goals in his final season. He broke into the AHL in 2018-19, and last season, despite a stint in the ECHL, he played 20 more games and put up nearly twice as many points as the year previous. 

"If you show up to camp, they're always looking to see who's going to be ready and who's maybe ready to steal a spot," he said. "They have a lot of skill here and everyone here is right there, everyone here can probably play in the NHL at some point. Every day my focus is to go to the rink and give everything I have." 

Jeannot had the advantage of playing a few games already this year with Florida in the ECHL. He posted three goals and six points in just five games played before getting the call to Predators camp. Perhaps the most unique thing about his games in Florida was that they took place in front of fans. 

"It was definitely different, especially coming from back home where everything is kind of locked down into a state that isn't as much," he said. "It was good to get back into it, but a little bit weird as well."

So far, Jeannot has been skating with the Predators' main group, and as he plays with them he gets more and more confident that he can crack an NHL roster. There are some openings up front in Nashville due to offseason departures, and Jeannot's style of game may give him an advantage. 

"There's a big statement that Nashville wants to be a really hard-working, hard-to-play-against team this year," he said. "That fits right into my game plan. I try not to worry too much about whether there are spots or what's going on, I just want to play my game, make a name for myself, and give everything I've got every day."

Teams in the NHL will have a 23-man roster and a taxi squad of four to six players. 

The Predators will begin their season Thursday. The NHL is not playing any exhibition games this year.