Nashville Predators
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Nashville Predators, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Alexander Kerfoot, Nils Hoglander
Key Departures: Luke Evangelista, Fedor Svechkov, Zachary L’Heureux, Erik Haula
Overview
The Nashville Predators dug themselves an early hole, losing 18 of their first 22 games to start the season. A late surge in March saw them win five straight and eight of 11, but their playoff push fell short, falling four points shy of the Los Angeles Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot. After spending the past four seasons in Colorado, Chris McFarland takes over from Barry Trotz as the new General Manager in Nashville.
Offense
Nashville ranked 20th overall in goals scored, and at full strength, they were a disappointing 27th. In trying to boost the offense, McFarland went on a shopping spree, acquiring five new faces to help rebuild the forward group. The biggest prize was Mavrik Bourque, acquired from Dallas, who scored 20 goals in his second full season. Nashville locked Bourque up with a six-year, $33-million contract. He also brought in two familiar faces by swinging a pair of deals with his former team to get Jack Drury and Ross Colton. Alex Kerfoot comes over from Utah and Nils Hoglander from Vancouver. Bourque, Colton, Drury and Kerfoot can all play center.
At 35, Ryan O’Reilly will likely start the season again as the number one center, but don’t be surprised if Bourque eventually takes over the “1C” role. O’Reilly is coming off a decent season, as his 74 points were one fewer than Filip Forsberg, who led the team in scoring. Forsberg (40 goals) is coming off his third career season with at least 40 goals. Steve Stamkos led Nashville with 42 goals. It was a nice bounce back for Stamkos after scoring 27 the previous season.
Defense
Nashville surrendered 267 goals last season, ranking 26th out of 32 teams, though their penalty kill was strong, ranking fifth overall. The Preds gave up four or more goals in 28 of their 44 losses last season (64%). Even at 36, captain Roman Josi is still one of the league’s better offensive defensemen. Josi is coming off a season where he led all Preds defensemen in scoring (despite playing only 68 games) with 13 goals and 55 points, as well as leading the team in blocked shots and logging a team-high 24:53 minutes a night.
Brady Skjei, Nic Hague, Nick Perbix and newcomer Ilya Lybushkin (acquired from Dallas) all can provide a physical presence. The third pair will likely see Adam Wilsby, Justin Barron, and Ryan Ufko all fighting to earn a regular spot.
Goaltending
For the second consecutive season, Juuse Saros saw his goals against average go up and save percentage go down. For the first time in his career, his goals against average started with a three (3.16). Backup Justus Annunen bounced back after struggling the past two seasons, finishing with a sub-three goals against and a save percentage over .900 (.907).
Player to Watch
With the Predators looking to get younger and faster, Mavrik Bourque is expected to be a key part of their future. The hope is that he can establish himself as the second-line center and put up at the very least 20 goals.
Outlook
Last season there was a lot of noise surrounding the future of Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault. This season the Preds need to quiet the noise. The Predators are better constructed than last season and should be more competitive night to night. However, they still project as a fringe playoff contender rather than a true threat in the Western Conference. Nashville has missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and last won a playoff round in 2018.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 85.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
To Make the Playoffs: (+250)
Miss the Playoffs: (-320)
To Win the Division: (+4000)
To Win the Western Conference: (+7500)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+20000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 38-34-10 (86 points, 6th Central Division)
Over/Under: 37-41-4
Home Favorite: 12-6 // Home Dog: 5-12
Road Favorite: 3-2 // Road Dog: 13-21
Win Score 4 or more: 29 of 38 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 28 of 44
Puck Line Wins: 18 of 38 // Puck Line Losses: 27 of 44
Front End Back-to-Back: 7-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 4-9
Points Leader: Filip Forsberg – 75
Goal Leader: Steven Stamkos – 42
Teams First Goal Leader: Filip Forsberg – 16
Assist Leader: Ryan O’Reilly – 49
Shots on Goal Leader: Filip Forsberg – 249
Blocked Shots: Roman Josi – 101
Depth Chart
Forwards
Filip Forsberg / Ryan O’Reilly / Jonathan Marchessault
Steven Stamkos / Mavrik Bourque / Matthew Wood
Ross Colton / Jack Drury / Nils Hoglander
Alexander Kerfoot / Vitaly Pinchuk / Ozzy Wiesblatt
Defense
Roman Josi / Brady Skjei
Nicolas Hague / Nicklaus Perbix
Adam Wilsby / Ilya Lyubushkin
Goalies
Juuse Saros / Justus Annunen
