Central Division Offseason: Nashville Predators Outlook

With the NHL Draft Combine beginning the first week of June, we’re taking a quick lap around the Central Division to get ready for the offseason with a look at each of the Blackhawks’ division rivals. We started at the bottom with the Arizona Coyotes and we’re working our way up. Yesterday we discussed the St. Louis Blues. Today, let’s look at the Nashville Predators.

This is a big offseason for the Preds in a number of ways, but specifically at the top of the organization. David Poile has been the only general manager the franchise has ever known — until now. Former head coach Barry Trotz comes home to Nashville to assume the role of what was his boss. How will he look to shape the future of the team?

Predators 2022-23 By the Numbers

2022-23 Record: 42-32-8 – 92 points (5th in the Central Division)
2023-24 Projected Cap Space:
$15.5 million
Head Coach:
Andrew Brunette (hired May 31)
General Manager:
Barry Trotz (first year)

2022-23 Stats
Goals For/Game: 2.72 (28th in the NHL)
Goals Against/Game: 2.88 (12)
Power Play Pct: 17.6 (27)
Penalty Kill Pct: 82.6 (6)

Predators Offseason Outlook

Notable 2023 UFAs: Zach Sanford, Kevin Lankinen

Notable 2023 RFAs: Alexandre Carrier, Cal Foote, Cody Glass, Rasmus Aslpund, Jake Livingstone

2023 Draft Capital:
First Round (No. overall): 15, 24 (from EDM)
Second Round: NSH, PIT
Third Round: NSH, SJ, TB
Fourth Round: NSH, TB, TOR
Fifth Round: NSH, TB
Sixth Round: NSH
Seventh Round: none

Predators Offseason Headlines

The Preds added a boatload of future draft capital with two significant trades this past season. They landed a shocking five picks — including three this coming summer — from Tampa for forward Tanner Jeannot. And they also acquired a first rounder this year and a future fourth rounder from Edmonton for defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

Trotz has talked about the Preds needed a top-line star center as one of his priorities already. With their first pick at No. 15 and a lot of picks in this year’s draft, expect them to look to bolster their roster down the middle early and often at the draft.

Many thought the Preds underwhelmed in the first half of the season but surprised a few by hanging around the fringes of the playoff conversation for a while after the trade deadline. Ultimately, not having their best forward, Filip Forsberg, for more than 50 games and a huge drop-off in production from Roman Josi led to a playoff-less spring for Nashville.

The Predators had a prospect pool that Scott Wheeler at The Athletic ranked 10th in the NHL in his mid-season update. That group is headlined by Joakim Kemell, Yaroslav Askarov and Philip Tomasino.

written by

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

more blackhawks news

Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Picks & Predictions

It's time for the best postseason in all of professional sports - the Stanley Cup Playoffs! With first-round matchups set to get started this weekend, our esteemed panel (Tab and Matt) decided to take a stab at a few predictions...

NHL Notes: Utah Gets Their Team, Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule, Kucherov Makes History, More

The NHL regular season is in the books! That means it's time for the best postseason in all of professional sports - the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Before those get underway this weekend, let's go around the NHL one more time...

Bold Accountability: How Did I Do with My Preseason Blackhawks Predictions?

The Chicago Blackhawks season is over. Finished. We can walk away, wash our hands, take a long nap and come back to it in a few days. But there's one thing I always like to do once the season comes...

Lukas Reichel Will Play for Rockford, Not Germany

Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was asked before the regular season finale if forward Lukas Reichel would play for Germany at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, or if he was headed to Rockford to join the IceHogs for their playoffs....

Bedard for ROY, M(razek)VP, Anderson’s Emergence, Unhappy Seth, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Welcome to the offseason, Blackhawks fans! The worst regular-season Blackhawks team in nearly 70 years -- based on point percentage, the worst that played more than 70 games in franchise history -- gifted us with overtime to finish a game...

Final NHL Draft Lottery Odds: What are the Blackhawks’ Chances of Picking First Again?

Now that the NHL's 2023-24 regular season is in the books, we have the final standings in official form. Which means we also know the odds of the non-playoff teams in the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery. So what are the...

Blackhawks at Kings – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Okay, so here's the set up for tonight's final game of the 2023-24 NHL regular season -- and, with the latest start time on the slate, this is indeed the actual, final game of the entire regular season. And the...

Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

Blackhawks 4, Kings 5 (OT) — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

If we paid attention to my pregame notes, you'll know that fans and members of the Kings' organization were going to be keeping an eye on the Ducks-Golden Knights score as their own game progressed. LA dominated the first period,...

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Former “Coyotes” Franchise Moving to Utah

On Thursday afternoon, the NHL made it official: the Arizona Coyotes are no more. The league's Board of Governors voted to approve the franchise relocating to Salt Lake City, effective immediately. The franchise will be owned and controlled by Smith...

Latest News

Brewers vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Milwaukee Brewers (11-6), led by William Contreras, visit Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) on Saturday at 2:15 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Milwaukee play St. Louis.When is Brewers vs....

How to Watch Cubs vs. Marlins: Live Stream or on TV

On Saturday, Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (12-7) play Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (4-16), with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

Twins vs. Tigers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Twins (6-11), with Bailey Ober on the hill, host the Detroit Tigers (10-9) who will start Reese Olson, at 2:10 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

How to Watch Yankees vs. Rays: Live Stream or on TV

The New York Yankees (13-6), led by Juan Soto, host Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.Find out how to watch the New York-Tampa Bay matchup below.When is Yankees vs. Rays and when...

Reds vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cincinnati Reds (9-9), led by Spencer Steer, host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Saturday.See how to watch the Cincinnati-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Reds vs. Angels and when does it start?This...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Saturday, Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) against Alex Wood and the Oakland Athletics (8-11), with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.Keep reading to find out...

Mariners vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Saturday, Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners (9-10) face Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (4-15), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Coors Field.Find out how to watch the Seattle-Colorado matchup below.When...

How to Watch Orioles vs. Royals: Live Stream or on TV

Corbin Burnes will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) when they visit starter Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals (12-7) on Saturday, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Baltimore-Kansas...

Braves vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Atlanta Braves (12-5), with Charlie Morton on the mound, host the Texas Rangers (11-9) who will start Nathan Eovaldi, at 7:20 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

How to Watch Astros vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

On Saturday, Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros (6-14) play C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (8-10), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at Nationals Park.Find out how to watch the Houston-Washington matchup below.When is Astros vs. Nationals...

more blackhawks news