Here’s the hockey viking’s season outlook for the Nashville Predators, including a recap of last season, an outlook/summary for this season, player additions/subtractions, a roster chart, a depth chart/offensive and defensive line chart, and season prediction.
Kicking off the 2025 season, the Nashville Predators are looking to capitalize on their current strengths while addressing some lingering weaknesses. Stability in their defense paired with agility in offense is already catching eyes. Yet, inconsistency in power plays could become a stumbling block. These are things the Predators need to smooth over to maintain competitive pressure throughout the season.
Recap of 2024-25
The Predators entered the 2024-25 season with expectations of continuing their status as a playoff-capable franchise, but things instead went off the rails. They finished with a record of 30-44-8 and amassed just 68 points, ranking 7th in the Central Division and 14th in the Western Conference.
They scored only about 212 goals (30th of 32 teams) and allowed 274 goals (27th).
The season started poorly: for example, they dropped their first five games, then spent much of the year chasing.
Key players: Captain Roman Josi missed significant time due to injury and health issues.
Forward Filip Forsberg led the team in goals (31) and assists (43) for 74 points.
Goaltending: Juuse Saros still logged the most wins (19) but faced heavy workload with a mediocre goals‐against average (~3.02) .
The organization openly admitted the campaign was a disappointment and a “reset” of sorts. As the team’s own media release noted: “A team filled with competitive players … wasn’t able to play their way into a postseason berth…”
In short: the Predators’ core remains intact, but the supporting cast and system performance slipped dramatically. A strong playoff habit ended, and the club now confronts questions about direction, rebuild vs. retooling, and whether the veteran core still has enough in the tank.
2025-26 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Predators are at a crossroads. Do they lean fully into a rebuild, or attempt a full‐throttle push to return to the playoffs with their core? My view: the answer is somewhat hybrid—they’ll lean toward retooling around their core while trying to extract near‐term value, but there are clear signs of transition.
Key themes to watch:
Veteran core needing resurgence – Josi, Forsberg, Saros, and the other established pieces must produce at a high level or the team will slide further.
Defense upgrade & stability – Given the high goals allowed last year, bolstering the blue line and improving team defense/system discipline is urgent.
Scoring depth and transition of younger players – The top-line will still carry heavy load; adding secondary scoring and getting younger pieces to step up will be essential.
Cap and contract management – The club sits comfortably under the cap (~$89 M projected hit in 2025-26 vs ~$95.5 M cap).
That gives flexibility to make further tweaks or absorb some veteran salaries, but also means the window is narrowing.
Expectations management – Realistically, the Western Conference is deep. Even if the Preds are better, a playoff berth might require ~95+ points; given last year’s 68, a large jump is needed.
Additions & Subtractions
Key Additions
Nicolas Hague (D) — Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights via trade June 30 2025 in exchange for F Colton Sissons and D Jeremy Lauzon. The club sees Hague as a top-4 defenseman for the coming years.
Nick Perbix (D) — Signed a two-year deal July 1 2025, adding right-handed depth and experience on the back end.
Erik Haula (F) — Traded in from the New Jersey Devils June 18 2025; veteran forward expected to play a second-/third-line center role.
Key Subtractions
Colton Sissons (F) & Jeremy Lauzon (D) — Traded to Vegas in the Hague deal. Sissons had 21 points last season; his departure signals leaning toward retooling.
NHL
There are also likely further minor moves and internal reassignments, but these are the headline ones.
Roster Chart (Projected)
Here’s a simplified look at the top of the roster—assuming health and standard roles:
Position Player
C1 Ryan O’Reilly
LW1 Filip Forsberg
RW1 Steven Stamkos
C2 Erik Haula
LW2 Joakim Kemell / Luke Evangelista
RW2 (open / younger)
D1 Roman Josi
D2 Nicolas Hague
D3 Brady Skjei
D4 Nick Perbix
Starting G Juuse Saros
Backup G (TBD / minor)
Depth Chart / Line Concepts
Forwards
Top Line: O’Reilly – Forsberg – Stamkos. Expect this unit to carry heavy minutes, match-ups, and power play work.
Second Line: Haula – Younger winger (e.g., Evangelista) – Kemell. Ideally this line supplies 50-60 points from the middle tier.
Third/Fourth Lines: Mix of veteran depth forwards, younger speed/aggression types, and specialists (penalty kill, forechecking). Depth scoring remains the major question mark.
Defense
No. 1 Pair: Josi (L) and Hague (R). Josi remains the shepherd; Hague brought in to partner and stabilize.
No. 2 Pair: Skjei (R) and Perbix (R). Skjei is experienced, Perbix is growth projection; pairing them may provide steadiness.
Bottom Pair/Extras: Younger defensemen, call-ups, and injury insurance. The depth beyond the top four is less established.
Goaltending
Saros remains the unquestioned starter. He needs a bounce-back year in terms of team defense support and workload. If he’s efficient, the goaltending should not be the biggest weakness. Backup and tandem workload are less clear.
Season Prediction
Given the large jump required, what can we reasonably expect?
With incremental improvement on defense, plus marginal gains in scoring depth, I’d project the Predators to finish around 88-95 points, which might place them 5th or 6th in the Central Division, likely just outside or on the cusp of a wild-card berth.
Best-case scenario: ~98 points and a wild-card spot.
Worst-case scenario (if youth doesn’t step up or injuries hit): <80>
My “median” forecast: ~80 points, more competitive than last year , possibly one or two spots out from qualifying and probably falling short come towards the end of the season.
Key X-Factors to Watch
Health of Roman Josi: If he is significantly limited by his condition (diagnosed earlier this year with POTS) it would hamper the blue line anchor.
Secondary Scoring Emergence: If Kemell, Evangelista, or other young forwards can contribute ~30-35 pts, it alleviates pressure on the top line.
Defensive System & Special Teams: The team allowed too many goals last year. If the PK and defensive structure improve, it’ll dramatically help.
Goaltender Efficiency: Even Saros needs better underlying numbers. Better defensive play (shots‐against, high-danger chances) matters.
Cap Flexibility & Mid‐Season Moves: The front office may need to pivot at the trade deadline if things aren’t clicking; how active they are could make a difference.
Predictions and Poised Performers: Stars Set to Shine
The roster boasts a dynamic mix of talent, from rock-solid defensemen to explosive forwards. Returning to the ice, veteran stars like Roman Josi are expected to bring both leadership and experience, while young guns such as Philip Tomasino are geared up to make significant waves. You can bet that Tomasino’s hustle will keep opponents on their toes.
Behind the benches, the coaching staff’s strategy is an amalgamation of gritty resilience with bursts of high-energy plays. Head coach John Hynes has shown a knack for adapting quickly to opponents, which keeps rival teams guessing.
Management, on the other hand, is doubling down on nurturing young talent and promoting an aggressive play style that fans have come to love. Their foresight into player development is likely to be a cornerstone of the Predators’ success in 2025.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a thrilling ride, with some players expected to steal the spotlight. Keeping your eyes on Josi is a smart move. His playmaking abilities and defensive skills are set to wow fans yet again. Meanwhile, Tomasino’s energy on the ice is becoming a signature, promising a breakout performance that’s hard to ignore.
Scanning the stats, it’s not just about those top players. Watch out for goaltenders Juuse Saros and his jaw-dropping saves, likely delivering impressive numbers this season. The balance between offensive aces and solid defensive work is in the Preds’ favor as long as they maintain the current rhythm.
A spotlight also shines on the newcomers. Young talent like Luke Evangelista offers fresh energy. His quick feet and sharp instincts scream potential. With a focus on integrating these emerging players into the roster smoothly, the Predators are poised to cultivate a dynamic team synergy that turns heads.
Strategies for Success: Navigating the 2025 Season
The Nashville Predators have crafted strategies that play to their strengths, focusing on an aggressive yet disciplined gameplay. A high-tempo offensive approach, utilizing speed and precision, is set to dismantle defenses across the league. Pairing this with a tight-knit defensive structure ensures a balanced strike that can adapt as needed.
Staying versatile is key, especially against teams known for unexpected shifts in play style. The Preds’ coaching team has emphasized adaptability, creating tailored strategies for different matchups. This approach aims to sidestep potential pitfalls and keeps the team ready for any on-ice situation.
Tackling challenges head-on will be a defining factor. Whether it’s a mid-season slump or injuries, their depth will be tested. Building a foundation of resilience through mental toughness and tactical innovation is paramount. With a keen eye on nurturing a winning mindset, they’re setting themselves up to power through adversity.
Final Thoughts
The Nashville Predators head into 2025-26 in a “bridge” season: not quite full rebuild, but far from proven contention. The veteran core remains—and the front office has made moves (especially on defense) to address last year’s collapse.
If all goes well, the team can restore credible playoff contention. But there are many moving parts, and given the Western Conference’s strength, the margin for error is thin.
A calculated blend of seasoned experience and youthful vigor sets the Predators apart. The prospects are promising for a team that seems to have cracked the code on balancing developing talent with reliable stalwarts. The challenge will be ensuring this balance translates into victories on the ice.
This feels like a big season for Nashville. They have to feel like they are better than their record, and we will see if they come out this season trying to prove it. Nashville didn’t deserve to be at the bottom of the conference, but questions remain on how good this team really is. If they fall flat again this year, is it time to start thinking about making major changes?
Be sure to check out the hockey viking’s season outlooks for all of the other teams in the NHL.