Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26: How Barry Trotz plans to salvage a disastrous start

The Nashville Predators have hit rock bottom. Sitting 32nd in the NHL with a .364 points percentage through late November 2025, the once-competitive franchise finds itself dead last in goals per game (2.32) and flirting with historic levels of futility. General manager Barry Trotz hears the vultures circling—other GMs inquiring about veteran players, fans questioning the coaching staff, and critics wondering if this roster can be salvaged at all. Yet within this disaster lies a potential path forward, one that could redefine the Predators season turnaround 2025-26 and set the foundation for a brighter future.

The Predators arent just struggling; theyre experiencing a full-blown identity crisis. After making the playoffs in 2023-24 behind a miraculous 16-2-0 second-half run, the team failed to build on that momentum. Last seasons collapse carried into 2025-26, with Nashville posting a 6-11-4 record through their first 21 games. The offensive woes have become legendary—eight games with two goals or fewer—and the frustration is boiling over in the locker room. But Trotz maintains the next seven to eight games will determine whether this team fights for respectability or embraces a full rebuild.

The Predators’ 2025-26 season crisis: From playoff hopes to rock bottom

Nashvilles current predicament represents the culmination of two consecutive disastrous starts under head coach Andrew Brunette. After beginning last season 7-11-3, the Predators find themselves in nearly identical territory, suggesting systemic issues rather than early-season rust. The most glaring problems appear on the offensive end, where the team ranks 32nd in the league in scoring. Their power play has become a momentum-killer, and even-strength opportunities vanish quicker than a Nashville country ballad.

The defensive structure hasnt fared much better, ranking 30th in team defense while surrendering 3.68 goals against per game. The November 25th drubbing at the hands of the Florida Panthers—an 8-3 embarrassment—epitomized the season. Coach Brunette lamented how the game slipped away in “11 seconds,” the exact time it took for Florida to seize control after Nashvilles initial push. Captain Roman Josis absence for 12 games with an upper-body injury only compounded matters; the Predators went 3-7-2 without their former Norris Trophy winner.

What makes this crisis particularly painful is the roster composition. Unlike traditional rebuilds filled with young, developing talent, Nashvilles lineup features proven veterans who were supposed to provide stability and scoring. The fact that Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly have combined for underwhelming production raises uncomfortable questions about whether age has caught up with the core or if chemistry problems run deeper.

Barry Trotz’s turnaround strategy: Balancing loyalty with reality

Trotz finds himself in an unenviable position. The Hall of Fame coach-turned-general manager hired Brunette in May 2023 specifically to modernize Nashville’s attack, believing his up-tempo philosophy would transform the Predators into an offensive powerhouse. Brunette had earned Jack Adams consideration while guiding the Panthers to the NHL’s best record in 2021-22, and his work in New Jersey developing the Devils’ high-scoring attack made him an attractive candidate.

Yet the results havent materialized. After ranking 10th in scoring during Brunette’s debut season (3.24 goals per game), the Predators have plummeted to 32nd in offense across the past two seasons combined. Trotz has remained publicly supportive, telling ESPN, “I do believe in Bruno. Thats why Ive been firm on that. Im not worried about what people think. I think sometimes its easy to fire the coach because its the easy thing to do.”

The GM’s patience stems from his own coaching background. Having led the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup championship in 2018 after years of playoff disappointment, Trotz understands the importance of stability. He sees a team that practices hard and hasnt quit on its coach—a stark contrast to last season when “we were playing poorly a lot,” according to Trotz. However, when pressed about committing to Brunette for the entire 2025-26 season, Trotz stopped short of guaranteeing his coach’s job security, acknowledging that “a lot of factors go into my position.”

Trotz has set a clear timeline for evaluation. The seven to eight games leading into the second week of December will determine whether Nashville pushes forward with this roster or begins dismantling it. This creates a pressure-cooker environment where every shift matters and veteran players know their futures hang in the balance.

The offensive nightmare: Why scoring has abandoned Nashville

The Predators’ offensive struggles transcend simple bad luck. Through 21 games, the team has scored two goals or fewer eight times, a pace that would make even expansion-era teams blush. The problems start with the high-profile offseason additions that were supposed to fix last season’s scoring woes.

Steven Stamkos, signed to bring elite goal-scoring after scoring 555 goals in 16 seasons with Tampa Bay, managed just one goal in his first 14 games and only four goals through 21 contests. “It’s just a rollercoaster of thoughts,” Stamkos admitted. “The thing you learn as you get older… is that the negative stuff never helps. And we all do it. It’s kind of the ‘poor me’ card, and it never works. You just sink in deeper.”

Jonathan Marchessault, the Conn Smythe winner from Vegas’s 2023 championship run, hasnt found his scoring touch either. The two forwards combine for full no-movement clauses, complicating any potential trade discussions. Yet their names already circulate in rumor mills, a testament to how desperate the situation has become.

Ryan O’Reilly, the team’s emotional leader, became the face of frustration after a loss to Philadelphia earlier this month. “I turn the puck over everywhere. Can’t make a six-foot pass to save my life,” he vented. “It’s stupid. I’ve had one good year in my career.” Teammates quickly defended O’Reilly—their captain pointed out his Conn Smythe performance in 2019 and Selke Trophy win—but the outburst revealed a locker room on edge. O’Reilly later regretted the rant, calling it “pathetic” and acknowledging he “should have just bit my tongue.”

The underlying issue appears to be a roster poorly constructed for the modern NHL. Nashville lacks dynamic young forwards who can create offense independently. Instead, they rely on aging veterans whose best years may be behind them, creating a perfect storm of predictable systems and diminished skill.

Trade season arrives early: Nashville’s fire sale strategy

Trotz has made his intentions clear: the Predators are “open for business.” Multiple reports confirm Nashville is anxious to start selling, potentially positioning themselves for the top overall pick and elite prospects like Gavin McKenna or Keaton Verhoeff. This represents a dramatic shift from the “competitive retool” philosophy that guided recent roster decisions.

The trade block features some of the NHL’s most recognizable names. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault hold full no-movement clauses, meaning they control any potential destination. However, agents for both players have had preliminary conversations with Trotz about possible scenarios if Nashville’s season continues to crater. For veterans chasing one final championship opportunity, waiving those clauses for the right contender becomes increasingly attractive.

Ryan O’Reilly presents the most straightforward trade candidate. Without trade protection (though the Predators would consult him out of veteran courtesy), his $4.5 million cap hit and two-way prowess make him valuable to playoff teams seeking depth. Filip Forsberg and Juuse Saros represent the biggest potential returns, though trading Saros might prove counterproductive—his elite goaltending gives Nashville their best chance at wins, which could sabotage tanking efforts.

The youth movement will be protected. Players 23 and younger—Matthew Wood, Fedor Svechkov, Luke Evangelista, Zachary L’Heureux, Joakim Kemell, Reid Schaefer, Ozzy Weisblatt, and Tanner Molendyk—should expect increased roles rather than trade calls. This aligns with Trotz’s long-term vision of building around homegrown talent rather than continuing to patch holes with veteran mercenaries.

Secondary players like Michael Bunting, Nick Perbix, Nick Blankenburg, and Nic Hague (at a reduced cap hit) could fetch mid-round picks from contenders seeking depth upgrades. Every asset matters when rebuilding from scratch.

Building blocks for a Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26

Despite the gloom, legitimate reasons for optimism exist within the organization. The Predators season turnaround 2025-26 analysis highlights several pillars that could accelerate the rebuild if managed correctly.

First, the prospect pipeline has quietly improved. Matthew Wood has shown flashes of top-six potential, while Fedor Svechkov’s two-way game projects as a future Selke candidate. Luke Evangelista’s offensive instincts and Zachary L’Heureux’s power-forward potential give Nashville a foundation they haven’t had in years. These players need NHL experience, something a lost season can provide in abundance.

Second, Roman Josi’s return from injury immediately stabilizes the defense. Even at 34, Josi remains a legitimate number-one defenseman who can drive play and mentor younger partners like Molendyk. His presence alone raises Nashville’s competitive floor, making them less embarrassing while still allowing for development.

Third, the upcoming draft class features transformative talent. Canadian phenom Gavin McKenna is the consensus top prospect, a dynamic offensive force who could become the franchise cornerstone Nashville has desperately needed since… well, ever. Finishing with the league’s worst record guarantees a top-two pick, likely landing McKenna or fellow elite prospect Keaton Verhoeff. This isn’t just about adding another prospect—its about potentially drafting a generational talent.

Fourth, Trotz’s front-office acumen provides stability. His experience building championship rosters in Washington and developing talent in New York gives Nashville a blueprint. As detailed in analysis of the Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26, the long-term vision involves strategic asset accumulation, prospect maturation, and disciplined cap management rather than quick fixes.

The path forward requires difficult conversations and realistic expectations. Ownership must accept a multi-year rebuild. Fans need patience as young players learn through mistakes. Most importantly, the organization must commit fully to the youth movement rather than hedging with veteran stopgaps.

What the turnaround means for Nashville’s future

The Predators stand at a franchise crossroads. Continue down the current path, and they risk becoming the NHL’s perennial doormat—a team too mediocre to contend and too stubborn to properly rebuild. Embrace the tank, and they could emerge in three years with a core of McKenna, their current prospects, and a war chest of draft capital that rivals any organization in hockey.

Trotz’s measured approach reflects this understanding. He knows trading away beloved veterans like Stamkos and Forsberg will be unpopular, but popularity contests don’t build champions. The veteran GM watched Washington endure similar pain before drafting Alexander Ovechkin and eventually winning it all. He understands the cycle.

For now, the locker room remains united in public. Josi insists, “There’s a lot of time. I have a ton of belief in our team. We can turn this around. Hopefully by the deadline we’ll be buying players and not selling.” That hope seems increasingly naive, but maintaining morale matters when December’s schedule could determine dozens of careers.

The Nashville Predators season turnaround 2025-26 won’t happen overnight. It requires brutal honesty about roster deficiencies, the courage to trade fan favorites, and patience as young talent develops. But the alternative—continuing to spin wheels with an aging, overpaid core—is far worse. Nashville’s path back to relevance is clear, even if walking it proves painful. The only question is whether the organization has the stomach to see it through.