Barry Trotz didn't come back to Nashville to play it safe. Honestly, if you look at the 2024 offseason, he basically threw a grenade into the middle of the NHL’s salary cap landscape. Bringing in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei for over $100 million was a statement. But statements don't always win hockey games.
The Nashville Predators are currently a weird, fascinating mess of a team.
As of mid-January 2026, they are sitting at 23-20-4. That’s 50 points, which keeps them hovering right on the edge of the wild card conversation in the Western Conference. One night they look like the "Smashville" of old—physical, relentless, and suffocating. The next? They look like an aging roster that’s a step behind the young guns in Colorado or Edmonton.
The Stamkos Experiment and the Veteran Grind
Let’s talk about the big elephant in the room. When Stamkos signed, people expected the power play to become a cheat code. It hasn’t been that simple. Stamkos has 21 goals and 33 points through 47 games, which is solid, but the chemistry hasn't always been there. He’s 35. Marchessault is 35. Ryan O’Reilly is 34.
You’ve got a core that knows how to win, but the NHL is a young man’s league now.
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Ryan O'Reilly is still the heart of this team, though. He’s leading the squad with 43 points and playing nearly 20 minutes a night. He’s the guy who fixes things. If a line is struggling, Andrew Brunette slides O’Reilly onto it, and suddenly they can actually exit their own zone.
Why the Defense is Different
Roman Josi is still... well, Roman Josi. He’s got 26 points in 35 games, and while his scoring pace isn't what it was during his Norris-winning peak, he’s still the engine. But there’s a concern there. Reports about Josi managing POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) have added a layer of complexity to his season. It’s a reminder that even the "superhumans" on skates have real-world hurdles.
Then you have Brady Skjei. He was supposed to be the perfect partner for this blue line, but it’s been a rocky road. His plus-minus is sitting at a rough -8, and he’s only found the back of the net once this season. For a guy making $7 million a year, the fans at Bridgestone Arena are starting to get a little restless.
The Youth Wave vs. The Trade Deadline
Trotz is in a tight spot. He’s built a team that is too good to "tank" but maybe not good enough to win a seven-game series against the elite.
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The kids are the only reason management hasn't completely pulled the plug yet. Luke Evangelista has been a revelation, racking up 27 assists and showing a vision that some of the veterans lack. Then there's Matthew Wood and Fedor Svechkov. These are the names that actually represent the future of the Nashville Predators.
- Luke Evangelista: 33 points, a team-high +9 rating.
- Fedor Svechkov: Getting protected minutes but showing high-end defensive IQ.
- Juuse Saros: The "Juice" is still the only reason Nashville wins half their games. He’s 19-15-3 with a .886 save percentage—which sounds low, but if you saw the high-danger chances he faces, you’d realize he’s basically a wall made of Finnish granite.
The trade deadline is looming. Internal rumors suggest Trotz is looking at a "hybrid retool." Basically, that means guys like Erik Haula, Michael Bunting, or even Michael McCarron might be on the move to clear space for prospects like Joakim Kemell or Zachary L’Heureux.
The Bridgestone Atmosphere at 30
If the on-ice product is a bit of a roller coaster, the atmosphere in the building is as loud as ever. 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Bridgestone Arena, and the team is leaning hard into that "Only in Smashville" vibe.
They’ve got the Black Music Heritage nights, the "Gold Games," and the constant flow of country stars showing up in the stands. It’s a unique market. Where else can you see a goalie make a sliding save and then look up to see Dierks Bentley or Chris Young leading a standing ovation?
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But "vibes" don't get you past the first round.
What Really Matters Right Now
The Predators aren't just fighting for a playoff spot; they're fighting for an identity. Are they a veteran-heavy group making one last run? Or are they a rebuilding team that happened to sign some famous names?
The next three weeks are everything. If they stack wins against teams like the Sabres and Golden Knights, Trotz might stand pat. If they slide? Expect a fire sale.
Honestly, the most realistic path is somewhere in the middle. The Nashville Predators have too much pride to bottom out, but they have too much sense to ignore the draft.
Key Actions for Following the Preds This Month:
- Watch the 5-on-5 play: If Nashville can’t stop giving up odd-man rushes when the power play isn't on, they won't survive February.
- Monitor the Ice Time: Keep an eye on Matthew Wood and Reid Schaefer. If their minutes go up, it’s a sign that the "youth injection" Trotz talked about is officially starting.
- Check the Goalie Rotation: Juuse Saros is the workhorse, but Justus Annunen just signed a two-year extension. Seeing how Brunette splits their starts will tell you if they’re worried about Saros burning out before a potential playoff push.
- Listen to the "Selling" Rumors: If names like Haula or Bunting start getting "healthy scratched" for trade related reasons, the rebuild has officially begun, regardless of what the standings say.
The reality of hockey in Nashville right now is that the "win-now" window is closing, but the "what’s next" window is looking surprisingly bright. It’s a tense, nervous, but ultimately exciting time to be a fan in the 615.