Nashville Predators Have Most Scoreless Season in NHL – Hockey Writers – Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators (38-34-10) looked like they would begin a rebuild after the 2024-25 season. Their prospect pool was starting to take shape, with Matthew Wood, Joakim Kemell, and Brady Martin all looking NHL-ready.

Instead, the Predators overachieved, falling just four points short of a playoff spot. With general manager (GM) Barry Trotz stepping down after the season, and head coach Andrew Brunette no longer standing, the Predators have a tough season ahead. They still have to decide where their team is headed, which leaves them feeling empty this season.

The Predators Didn’t Sell Much

Almost every NHL outlet has the Predators as the biggest potential sellers for the 2026 NHL trade deadline. They had many pieces that would be of interest to competing teams.

Ryan O’Reilly had two seasons left on his contract without trade protection, and would have been more valuable as a two-way center with leadership qualities. Guys like Michael Bunting, Erik Haula, and Cole Smith were on expiring contracts, and likely won’t be part of a long-term rebuilding plan.

Moving on from Steven Stamkos would be very difficult, since he had a no-movement clause, but he listed three teams that the Predators were allowed to sell him to. With 42 goals this season, Stamkos would have value again, even if he had limited flexibility.

Instead, the Predators were more involved, keeping O’Reilly, Stamkos, and Haula, and trading under Michael Bunting, whom they sent to the Dallas Stars for a 2026 third-round pick. They got second-round picks Michael McCarron and Cole Smith, but they could get a big deadline if they decide to rebuild.

The Predators Didn’t Make The Playoffs

There was a big reason for them to participate, though: playing hockey. The Predators were lucky enough to play in the Western Conference, with their second wild card team (the Los Angeles Kings) winning by only 90 points.

Of course, if the Predators make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they could play the winner of the President’s Trophy, the Colorado Avalanche. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, and a President’s Medal winner has lost in the first round before (see: 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning).

The Predators have experience making the playoffs as a wild card team, making the Stanley Cup Final in the 2016-17 season. Because of this, O’Reilly and Stamkos told the team that they don’t want to be traded in order to push for the playoffs.

In mid-March, it looked like they would make the wild card, scoring five goals. However, they just fell in the goal. A tough April (4-4-0) and a three-game losing streak at the end of March put a damper on their chances. As a result, the playoff push feels empty.

Good Development

It wasn’t all doom and gloom in Nashville. As mentioned, Stamkos scored a team-leading 42 goals this past season; last season he had just 27 goals and 26 assists in 82 games. Since the Predators signed him to a four-year, $32 million contract, Stamkos seemed unlikely to live up to his promise, but this season was a big step forward.

The stars also performed well, with Forsberg (40-35-75) and O’Reilly (25-49-74) averaging nearly a point per game while Roman Josi (13-42-55) bounced back after a stellar 2024-25 campaign. Luke Evangelista (12-44-56) emerged as a top winger, and Matthew Wood (17-13-30) also showed flashes.

Fair enough, Justus Annunen has been a revelation, with a .906 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average. He had the best game of any pitcher this season, saving all 43 shots against the Ducks on April 7.

What is the reference?

However, this season leaves the Predators at a crossroads. The new GM, whoever it is, will have to decide whether to rebuild, but some reports have indicated that the Predators will make a push at the deadline.

With respect, that seems absurd. The Predators are 20th in goals against (242) and 26th in goals against (267) this season and benefit from a tough Western Conference. With three teams in their division scoring more than 100 points last season and an abundance of star talent, the Predators will have to lose steam in the wild card race.

Unfortunately, they are not in a realistic position to acquire top talent like Gavin McKenna or Ivan Stenberg. They have the No. 1 lottery odds. 10 at 3.5%, and their prospect pool could use some production talent in it.

There are many questions left during the season. Are they from Juice Saros or O’Reilly? Is Stamkos willing to waive his no-movement clause? What’s the situation with head coach Andrew Brunette? Unfortunately, none of these questions have been answered this season.