The Predators Conundrum

The Nashville Predators started the 2025-2026 season 8-13-4 and since December 1st they have gone 10-4-0 out scoring opponents 48-37 in that span.

After signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei in 2024, the hopes were high around Smashville and the team fell flat on its face having a combined record of 48-61-12. For example in the 2023-2024 season the predators went 47-30-5.

So what happened?

The big 3 free agent additions never clicked with the roster.

Stamkos over his time in Nashville has looked like a shell of his self, In 121 games he has 45 goals, 34 assist and is a minus 45.

Marchessault in 106 games has: 28 goals, 38 assist and is a minus 47.

And the Biggest disappointment of the 3 has been Brady Skjei, In 121 games Skjei has 11 goals, 35 assist and a minus 35.

Everyone expected the Nashville Predators to be contenders after signing the big 3 free agents. Draft Kings had the Predators with the 9th best odds in the league to win the cup. But that never panned out finishing with the third worst record.

Now we come back to Present day,

In December the Predators have gone 10-4-0 and sit just 3 points out of the playoffs. Over this span they have beat the: Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalance, St Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Utah Mammoth.

Have the Nashville Predators figured it out or is this just a run?

A driving force of the Predators have been led by 4 players. Previously Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Juuse Saros.

In December,

Steven Stamkos: 14 gp, 12 goals, 5 assist, 17 points, and a +1 rating

Ryan O’reilly: 14 gp, 3 goals, 13 assist, 16 points and a +4 rating

Filip Forsberg: 14 gp, 7 goals, 7 assist, 14 points and a -1 rating

Juuse Saros: 8-3-0 record, 2.67 gaa, and a .912 save %

I believe that the next 3 games on this road trip will give a further insight to the question being that they will be on the road facing off against the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

Stats by statmuse as of December 31, 2025