It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re into the month of the season and it’s still early. However, some teams might be sweating a little harder than others. Some clubs may still be trying to find their way, but others know they have to get their seasons on track quickly. American Thanksgiving in November is usually when teams define themselves as contenders for Stanley Cup Playoff spots. One team that came in with a lot of hype is the Nashville Predators. However, the team may have more work to do. This edition of NHL rumours deals with the Predators trying to tinker with their roster.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Nashville Predators May Make Moves
Rumour: The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta addressed the Predators possibly making a deal if their bad start continues.
#Smashville still can’t get going. Is panic setting in? @KatePettersen_ dives into The Latest, presented by @CCMHockey, with me & @DennisTFP, as we touch on the Preds’ frustrations, the rolling #GoKingsGo, available #GoHabsGo trade pieces, and the #Isles exploring the market. pic.twitter.com/nT8FqUDKbS
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 5, 2024
Analysis: Nashville came into the 2024-25 season with a lot of hype. However, that chatter hasn’t translated to many victories overall. The Predators lost their first five games of the season, but did play a little better before their current two-game skid.
Players like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei were supposed to put Nashville among the top contenders in the Western Conference. However, the Predators’ bad start has them last in a stacked Central Division heading into Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Nashville is still in it despite the bad start, but it has to get things going if it wants to realize some of their lofty expectations. This could mean some changes to their roster.
What it Means
Pagnotta was quick to stress that nothing is in the pipeline for deals at this time. Predators General Manager Barry Trotz will do his homework and might do something down the road. However, there seems to be frustration rather than panic at the team’s current start.
One position that could be addressed is the second-line centre role. Currently Tommy Novak and Juuso Parssinen have tried their hand at the role. However, they’ve not been able to take the role and make it theirs. A deal for a second-line pivot may be needed in order to give the lineup more balance.
Nashville also has a number of veteran players on the roster. That experience could be used to help stabilize the lineup and get them back on track. The Predators have the second-oldest roster in the league at 30.4 years of age. Only the Edmonton Oilers have a higher average roster age at 30.8
This veteran leadership could use the long road trip to bond. Things may look grim this season, but teams have been able to turn things around in tighter spots. Edmonton was able to get back on track and was one game away from winning the Stanley Cup.
Nashville has plenty of work to do, but all is not lost. However, the Predators need to start stringing wins together in order to get back in the mix in the Central Division.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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