Ryan Johansen directed a playful dig at teammate Matt Irwin on Monday.

"Nice stick," Johansen said to the defenseman, who carried what was left of the bottom half to his locker stall at Centennial Sportsplex.

Oh, no, the remains of the stick weren't destined for the garbage can.

Instead, Irwin began taping the top of it, salvaging the stick so he could add it to the growing collection of his growing 1 1/2-year-old son, Beckham.

Question is, will Irwin, a 31-year-old hoping to enter his eighth NHL season, be on the short end of the stick when the Predators pare their roster for the regular season?

He hopes not, of course.

He hopes to be on the team's third defensive pairing, presumably next to Dan Hamhuis.

Or, at the very least, on the opening night roster.

But Irwin knows he's on the bubble. Knows there are only so many spots.

"That’s the mind-set I have every year going into camp, ever since I've been in the NHL," Irwin said. "You have to prove yourself each year. I understand my role on this team. I bring value to the club.

"I have to prove it. Every camp I have to have good showings and let the rest take care of itself."

Irwin averaged a career-low – by more than a minute – 11 minutes, 18 seconds of ice time in 44 games last year, the second-fewest he's played in a full season.

He had just one goal and six assists for a career-low seven points. He had just 37 blocks and eight takeaways last season. He has just three goals and 12 assists in his last 94 regular-season games with the Predators over the past two seasons.

Irwin is not the only one trying to prove he should be on the active roster.

Irwin, along with Steven Santini, Jarred Tinordi, Daniel Carr, Frederick Gaudreau and Miikka Salomaki seem the most likely candidates to be fighting for the final three possible spots.

Here's a breakdown by position:

Forwards

He'll be here: Viktor Arvidsson, Nick Bonino, Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund, Rocco Grimaldi, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Johansen, Colton Sissons, Craig Smith, Kyle Turris, Austin Watson.

He's still here: Daniel Carr, Frederick Gaudreau, Miikka Salomaki.

Who will be here? Carr, last year's AHL MVP, and Salomaki look to be the favorites to stay.

In the pipeline:Rem Pitlick and Eeli Tolvanen were sent to Milwaukee, mostly because they are exempt from waivers. Expect both to be back with the Predators sooner rather than later, should opportunity present itself.

Defensemen

He'll be here: Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Dante Fabbro, Dan Hamhuis, Roman Josi, Yannick Weber.

He's still here: Matt Irwin, Steven Santini, Jarred Tinordi.

Who will be here? Irwin has the most experience and could find a spot, though Santini, who was acquired in the P.K. Subban trade, might get first crack at playing next to Hamhuis.

In the pipeline: Jeremy Davies, also acquired in the Subban deal, will receive some seasoning in the AHL. Veteran Matt Donovan also could be called in eventually.

Goalies

He'll be here: Pekka Rinne, Juuse Saros.

Who will be here? Both of the above.

In the pipeline: Connor Ingram, acquired from the Lightning for a seventh-round pick, figures to challenge Troy Grosenick for the No. 1 job in Milwaukee. The 22-year-old eventually could be Saros' backup after Saros takes over for Rinne.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.