In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the most baffling underperformers of the 2024–25 season: the Nashville Predators.

Coming off a year that began with high expectations after blockbuster free-agent signings, the Preds collapsed to a 30–44–8 record and were never competitive. Now, as they enter 2025–26 with virtually the same roster, hosts Neil and Vic ask the hard question: What exactly is Barry Trotz building?

The team didn’t win a playoff series since 2018, and despite shedding cap space and expectations, the front office made only marginal changes — none of which suggest a clear direction or uptick in performance. Is this just a mulligan for Trotz and Brunette? Or the beginning of a longer identity crisis?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Nashville's disastrous 30-win season: Worst in years

[00:40] Offseason recap: A handful of depth moves, no major change

[01:15] Additions: Eric Haula (3rd line), Nick Hague & Nick Perbix (3rd pair), no re-signings

[02:00] 2024–25 review: Slow starts, long losing streaks, zero identity

[03:00] Key signings that failed: Stamkos, Marchessault, O’Reilly underwhelmed

[03:45] Minus machines: Stamkos (-36), Forsberg, O'Reilly, Marchessault

[04:15] Andrew Brunette’s "up-tempo" system — does he have the horses?

[05:15] Barry Trotz’s silence: Is this roster intentionally unchanged?

[06:00] Does this team really have top-six depth? Or just aging names?

[07:00] Fedotov and Tomasino: Are the kids enough to move the needle?

[08:00] Can this team keep pace in the Central or Pacific?

[09:00] Final verdict: Not a playoff team — and it’s not even close

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

After a catastrophic season, the Predators had the chance to reset. Instead, they made minimal changes, leaving major question marks heading into 2025–26.

Stamkos, Marchessault, and O’Reilly all posted terrible plus-minus numbers, showing a lack of two-way impact and diminishing returns.

Barry Trotz’s roster building feels directionless—no clear rebuild, no aggressive retool, and certainly not a Cup-contending group.

Andrew Brunette may be on the hot seat if the team doesn’t show marked improvement early. His “up-tempo” vision doesn’t fit this aging, slow-footed core.

Unless multiple players rebound and the system transforms overnight, this looks like another playoff miss—and possibly a team in search of a new identity.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Nashville Predators were the league’s biggest disappointment last season. And instead of a fresh start, they doubled down on the same underachieving group. Unless something changes dramatically, this isn’t a playoff team — and it may not even be close.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

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🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #Hockey #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NashvillePredators #BarryTrotz #AndrewBrunette #ErikHaula #NicolasHague #JeremyLauzon #ColtonSissons #JeremyHanzel #NickPerbix #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #RyanO'Reilly #JoelQuenneville #ConnorBedard #FilipForsberg #RomanJosi #FedorSvechkov