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After a high-profile offseason that saw the Nashville Predators sign star players Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, expectations were sky-high for the franchise. The team committed over $108 million in the hopes of creating a Stanley Cup contender. However, the reality on the ice has been far from what fans and analysts anticipated.
Nashville's disastrous start to the season
As of mid-November, the Predators find themselves at the bottom of the National Hockey League (NHL) standings, struggling with their worst start in franchise history. With only four wins in their first 14 games, including a dismal 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, the team’s performance has failed to live up to the promise of their offseason acquisitions.
In that recent defeat, the Predators couldn't even manage to get off a sufficient number of shots, ending up with more penalty minutes than scoring chances.
"There’s no going back and changing anything that’s happened, so you can’t feel sorry for yourself," said Stamkos after the loss. "We’re in the position we’re in, and we have to find our way back."
The frustration was palpable after a game where the Predators hit multiple posts, a reminder of just how close they came to scoring without ever getting it done.
"There’s still obviously frustration," added veteran centre Ryan O'Reilly, pointing out his struggle with goal-scoring, having yet to register a goal at even strength this season.
Inconsistent play and a lack of execution
Nashville's struggles haven’t been limited to one area. Inconsistent play has plagued the team, with one game resulting in a shutout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, while another saw them get blown out 6-2 by the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. For head coach Andrew Brunette, the team's second-year bench boss, frustration has started to seep into the locker room.
"Frustration’s been leaking in a little bit," Brunette admitted. "At times in our mind, it gets confused a little bit with work and effort." Despite his vast experience as a player, Brunette knows that success in the NHL hinges on sustained effort, not just initial bursts of intensity. The team’s inability to string together consistent performances has only added to the mounting pressure on Brunette’s leadership.
Defensive and offensive woes: A double-edged sword
While the Predators are outshooting their opponents 445-411, their offensive woes are hard to ignore. With just 33 goals scored and a league-worst shooting percentage of 7.4%, the Predators are failing to convert on even their best opportunities. At the same time, defensive lapses have left them vulnerable, allowing 50 goals through 14 games.
Brunette has acknowledged that the team’s offensive struggles are often a result of players pushing too hard to score, sacrificing defensive responsibilities in the process.
"It’s gotten us a little bit to the perimeter and it’s gotten us further and further from the net," said the coach. "When you’re further and further from the net, you’re probably further and further from scoring goals."
Bright Spots: Stamkos and Saros lead the way
One of the few positives for Nashville has been Stamkos, who is finally finding his form. After a slow start, scoring only once in his first 10 games, the 16-year veteran has netted three goals in his last four contests. However, the team's overall performance continues to fall short.
Another silver lining has been goaltender Juuse Saros, who has been a rock for the Predators despite the team's poor record. Saros, who signed an eight-year, $62 million extension in the offseason, has posted a solid 2.85 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage, with his performance perhaps masking what could be an even worse start without his efforts. "He’s a rock for us," Stamkos said. "We’re lucky to have him."
Looking Ahead: Time running out for Predators' turnaround
Despite the team’s struggles, the Predators are hoping to find a way out of their slump, looking to the turnaround story of the Edmonton Oilers last season as a potential source of optimism. Edmonton faced a similarly poor start in 2023 but eventually went on to make a deep playoff run.
However, Nashville knows time is of the essence. "We need results, and we need them now," O’Reilly said. "We have to stay with it... It’s sticking together, relying on each other to get us out of this. We know we will."
For now, the Predators remain stuck in a frustrating cycle of missed opportunities and poor execution. With several key players trying to adjust to the system and more work to be done in all areas, Nashville’s path forward remains uncertain. The pressure is on to turn things around before the season slips too far away.
