Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26: Brutal reality check and strategic plan

The Nashville Predators find themselves in an all-too-familiar position as the 2025-26 season approaches its midway point. Once again, Music City’s hockey team sits at the bottom of the NHL standings, dead-last in points percentage and struggling to find any semblance of momentum. General manager Barry Trotz faces mounting pressure to orchestrate a dramatic Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26, but the path forward remains clouded by underperforming veterans, trade rumors, and the harsh reality that patience may be the only viable strategy left.

For a franchise that experienced the high of a miraculous 16-2-0 run just two seasons ago, the current state represents a stunning collapse. The Predators rank 30th in team defense, allowing 3.68 goals against per game, and sit last in the entire league in scoring at a meager 2.32 goals per game. These aren’t just bad numbers—you’re their systemic failures that point to deeper issues within the roster construction and on-ice execution that must be addressed for any meaningful Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 to take shape.

Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 starts with brutal reality check

The numbers paint a bleak picture that no amount of optimistic spin can disguise. Through 21 games, Nashville has managed just six wins against 12 losses and four overtime defeats, good for a .364 points percentage that has them firmly entrenched as the NHL’s worst team. The offensive woes are particularly staggering, with the Predators ranking dead-last in goals per game over the last two seasons combined despite bringing in proven scorers specifically to address this deficiency.

Captain Roman Josi’s early-season absence due to an upper-body injury only compounded these problems. The Predators went 3-7-2 without their Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, managing just three wins in twelve games without the heart of their blue line and power play quarterback. His return against the Colorado Avalanche provided a brief glimpse of competitiveness, but two empty-net goals turned a tight 1-0 game into a 3-0 defeat, reinforcing the feeling that even when Nashville plays well, the results refuse to follow.

The frustration has begun boiling over in the locker room, manifesting most visibly in Ryan O’Reilly’s candid postgame rant following a loss to Philadelphia. “I turn the puck over everywhere. Can’t make a six-foot pass to save my life,” O’Reilly vented. “It’s stupid. I’ve had one good year in my career. I don’t have an answer, that’s for sure.” Teammates quickly came to his defense, with Josi reminding everyone that O’Reilly has had “way more years than just one year,” referencing his Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy-winning 2018-19 campaign with St. Louis.

What makes this season particularly painful is that it follows an identical script to the previous campaign. At the same 23-game mark last year, Nashville sat with the exact same 7-12-4 record and 18 points. The Predators have become trapped in a cycle of poor starts that they cannot overcome, no matter how dramatic their midseason surges might be. Breaking this pattern requires more than just effort—it demands fundamental changes to how the team approaches roster building and player development.

Barry Trotz’s transition plan for Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26

Barry Trotz has been careful with his word choice, consistently describing the Predators’ current state as a “transition” rather than a rebuild. This semantic distinction carries weight in a locker room full of proud veterans who didn’t sign up for a multi-year tank job. “I’m not in the business of not winning. I’m in the business of trying to win,” Trotz told reporters, establishing the mindset that will drive the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26.

The general manager’s experience as a coach influences his approach to this transition. Having been behind the bench for 1,812 NHL games, Trotz understands the pressures coaches face and has maintained steadfast support for Andrew Brunette despite two disastrous starts. He sees a team that practices hard and hasn’t quit on its coach, which he believes separates this situation from true coaching failures. “When the players have quit on the coach, they don’t practice hard. They don’t pay attention. There’s no energy. I can’t say that,” Trotz explained.

Trotz’s plan centers on a patient accumulation of assets that can be deployed strategically. The Predators currently possess three first-round picks in the upcoming draft, giving them unprecedented flexibility to either select premium talent or package those picks for established players. This war chest of draft capital represents the foundation of the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 strategy, allowing the front office to be aggressive when opportunities arise.

The timeline for this turnaround remains deliberately vague. Trotz has identified the second week of December as a critical juncture—those “seven or eight games” will determine whether the Predators can realistically compete for a playoff spot or must pivot toward asset liquidation. This pragmatic approach acknowledges that while the season isn’t over mathematically, the organization must be prepared to make difficult decisions if the standings don’t improve dramatically.

The veteran dilemma: Stamkos, Marchessault, and O’Reilly

The elephant in the room during any discussion of a Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 involves the three veteran forwards signed to provide offense and leadership. Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly have combined for disappointing production that doesn’t match their $13.5 million combined salary cap hit. Their struggles epitomize the Predators’ inability to translate veteran experience into on-ice success.

Stamkos, in particular, has found the transition difficult. After scoring 555 goals in 16 legendary seasons with Tampa Bay, he managed just one goal in his first 14 games with Nashville. The mental toll has been evident. “It’s just a rollercoaster of thoughts. The thing you learn as you get older or go through certain experiences is that the negative stuff never helps,” Stamkos admitted. “The ‘poor me’ card, and it never works. You just sink in deeper.”

Both Stamkos and Marchessault wield full no-movement clauses, complicating any potential trade scenarios. However, the Predators have begun receiving exploratory calls from other GMs, conversations that Trotz describes as “keep me in mind” rather than serious offers. The veterans themselves are realistic about their situations. “If there’s a conversation to be had, there’s a conversation to be had,” Stamkos said pragmatically. “But for me, it’s easy to just forget about that stuff.”

Ryan O’Reilly lacks trade protection, making him the most likely candidate to be moved if Nashville decides to sell. His four-year, $18 million contract remains reasonable for a two-way center who can provide leadership and defensive responsibility to a contender. The Predators have been clear they will consult O’Reilly on any potential destinations as a veteran courtesy, maintaining the respectful relationship that has defined his time in Nashville despite the team’s struggles.

Youth movement becomes centerpiece of Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26

The path toward a successful Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 inevitably runs through the organization’s prospect pipeline and draft capital. While veterans have struggled, the front office has been quietly assembling one of the most intriguing collections of young talent in franchise history. This youth movement represents both hope for the future and potential trade chips to accelerate the turnaround timeline.

The Predators’ prospect pool features several names that have scouts buzzing. While specific top prospects like Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff have been mentioned in organizational planning documents, the team has systematically added youth at every position over the past two seasons. This influx of talent hasn’t yet translated to NHL success, but it provides the foundation for sustainable competitiveness rather than the boom-and-bust cycles that have plagued Nashville.

Developing this youth requires patience and opportunity. The Predators have been criticized for blocking prospects with veteran signings, but the current struggles may force their hand in giving young players expanded roles. Recent training camp cuts that reduced the roster to 52 players demonstrated the organization’s depth, with 29 forwards, 17 defensemen, and six goaltenders still competing for spots. This internal competition should theoretically push everyone to elevate their performance.

The financial flexibility gained from transitioning to a younger roster cannot be overstated. With several veterans on sizable contracts underperforming, moving those deals for future assets would free up cap space to retain homegrown talent and pursue targeted free agents. This strategic shift toward a youth-based core aligns with successful rebuilds executed by teams like Detroit and Ottawa, which endured short-term pain for long-term gain.

Prospects and draft capital take priority

The Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 strategy relies heavily on maximizing the value of the team’s three first-round draft picks. This unprecedented collection of assets came through strategic trades and represents Nashville’s best opportunity to acquire elite talent. Whether used to select potential franchise players or packaged in trades for established stars, these picks give Barry Trotz options that previous Predators GMs never enjoyed.

The upcoming draft class features several potential game-changers, with consensus top prospect Gavin McKenna representing the type of generational talent Nashville has rarely had access to. While winning the draft lottery remains a long shot at 11.5 percent odds, the very possibility energizes a fanbase weary of mediocrity. Landing a player of McKenna’s caliber would instantly transform the franchise’s trajectory and validate the painful transition process.

Beyond the first round, Nashville has built depth throughout the draft by targeting high-upside players in later rounds. This approach requires patience but has been essential for the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 planning. Players selected in rounds two through seven have begun showing promise in junior leagues and the AHL, suggesting the pipeline is healthier than the NHL record indicates.

The Predators have also invested heavily in goaltending prospects, recognizing that Juuse Saros cannot carry the workload indefinitely. With a 2.32 goals-per-game offense providing no margin for error, even Saros’s elite play hasn’t translated to wins. Developing a capable backup or successor has become a priority that could pay dividends within the next two seasons.

Andrew Brunette’s role in Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26

Coach Andrew Brunette stands at the center of the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 discussion, his job security becoming a daily topic despite Barry Trotz’s public support. The statistics are stark: two straight seasons with catastrophic starts, dead-last in offense over that span, and a team that seemingly regressed despite adding future Hall of Famers. Yet Trotz remains steadfast, refusing to make Brunette the scapegoat for roster construction issues.

“I don’t believe in Bruno. That’s why I’ve been firm on that,” Trotz affirmed. “I’m not worried about what people think. I think sometimes it’s easy to fire the coach because it’s the easy thing to do.” This loyalty stems partly from Trotz’s own coaching background—he understands the pressure coaches face and the importance of stability. It also reflects his belief that the roster, not the system, bears primary responsibility for the current state.

Brunette’s Jack Adams nomination in 2021-22 with Florida provides a reminder of his capabilities. He guided the Panthers to the NHL’s best record during his 75-game tenure, earning recognition for his offensive acumen. When Trotz hired him in May 2023, the move was celebrated as progressive—pairing a defense-first GM with an offense-oriented coach. The Predators finished 10th in scoring in Brunette’s first season (3.24 goals per game), but the bottom has fallen out since.

The challenge for Brunette involves meshing aging veterans with younger players while implementing a system that maximizes limited offensive talent. After Monday’s 8-3 loss to Florida, he described the game slipping away in “11 seconds,” the time it took for the Panthers to seize control. “I think it falls on all of us. You rely on a good start. We’re just having a hard time grabbing it,” he admitted. These comments reflect a coach searching for answers as pressure mounts.

Internal accountability has become a theme. Trotz recently pounded the table while telling The Tennessean, “I need more” from his star players, explicitly separating coaching from execution errors. “When the puck is on someone’s stick and they pass it right to [the other team], that’s not [Brunette’s] fault,” Trotz argued. This stance suggests that player changes may precede any coaching change if the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 fails to materialize.

Core pieces remain foundation for Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26

Amid the turmoil and transition talk, three players represent the bedrock upon which the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 will be built: Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros. This trio has been remarkably consistent throughout the organization’s ups and downs, providing the stability necessary to weather the current storm. Their presence ensures that any rebuild or transition won’t require starting from complete scratch.

Josi’s importance cannot be overstated. The Norris Trophy winner missed significant time with an upper-body injury, and the Predators’ 3-7-2 record without him highlighted his irreplaceable value. Since returning, his presence has immediately elevated the team’s competitive level, even if wins haven’t followed. “Yeah, it’s been tough. I think we came into camp and obviously you want to have a better year. It’s hard when you&#039’re not winning. It’s hard on guys mentally,” Josi acknowledged. “But there’s a lot of time. I have a ton of belief in our team. We can turn this around.”

Filip Forsberg has similarly maintained his production despite the chaos around him. While trade rumors have swirled regarding virtually every veteran, Forsberg’s name has remained notably absent from serious speculation, suggesting the organization views him as part of the long-term solution. His consistent scoring from the left wing provides the Predators with a legitimate top-line threat that most rebuilding teams lack, making the turnaround process less daunting.

In net, Juuse Saros continues to provide elite goaltending that keeps Nashville competitive in games they have no business being in. The Predators’ 2.32 goals-per-game offense puts unbearable pressure on Saros to be perfect every night, yet he continues to deliver performances that give his team a chance. This security in goal allows the front office to focus on rebuilding the skater group without worrying about the most critical position.

The synergy between these three core players creates a framework for the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26. Unlike traditional rebuilds that strip the roster bare, Nashville can build around proven, high-caliber players in key positions. This approach mirrors successful transitions executed by teams like the Boston Bruins, who refreshed their supporting cast while maintaining a strong core, rather than the scorched-earth rebuilds that can take decades to bear fruit.

The Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 represents a defining moment for Barry Trotz’s front office tenure and the franchise’s direction. The path forward requires navigating difficult conversations with veteran players, potentially moving beloved stars, and maintaining faith in a coaching staff that has yet to deliver results. Yet the pieces for a legitimate turnaround exist: a strong core trio, valuable trade assets, deep draft capital, and a prospect pipeline that is beginning to bear fruit.

Success won’t be measured by a miraculous playoff berth in 2025-26, but by the organization’s ability to make difficult decisions that position Nashville for sustainable contention. Whether that means trading veterans, committing fully to youth, or finding some hybrid approach, the Predators can no longer afford to stand pat. The vultures are circling, as Trotz acknowledged, but they also represent opportunities to accelerate the rebuild. For the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 to succeed, the organization must embrace change while protecting the few elements that have consistently worked. The Music City faithful have endured two seasons of frustration; how the front office navigates the coming months will determine whether a third straight lost year becomes the catalyst for renewal or just another chapter in prolonged mediocrity.