How has the Predators’ hot start affected their long-term roster vision?
After overhauling their front office last summer, the Nashville Predators have quietly been making a lot of changes to their roster – specifically up front. Headed by president of hockey operations and GM Chris MacFarland, the Predators have completely reshaped their offensive depth since the management changes.
Bringing in forwards Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Nils Hoglander, Alex Kerfoot and, most recently, Shane Wright since the end of last season, there was sure to be an adjustment period for the group as head coach Andrew Brunette looked to integrate the new faces.
Their respective individual impacts have been up and down but collectively have helped get the Predators off to what can be called an unexpected hot start. Winners of six games in a row and seven of their last 10, the Predators sit second in the ever-competitive Central Division as of Friday morning. With a new mix of forwards, the Predators have relied heavily on keeping pucks out of their net, currently averaging the fifth-fewest goals against per game in the NHL.
It would’ve been safe to categorize the Predators as “soft sellers” after last season. Under former GM Barry Trotz, we heard the names of forwards Jonathan Marchessault, Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos on the trade block. And with a complete overhaul of the front office, a new set of eyes – a management group compiled from all around the NHL – would maybe want to put their fingerprints on the roster to a more significant degree than just shifting depth pieces.
Speaking with team sources earlier in the week, Daily Faceoff was told that the Predators are in a period of evaluation with their group. It goes without saying, but evaluating what they have in their newcomers is atop the list. Can Wright be a top-six center? Does Bourque have a top-line pedigree? Can Drury be a long-term, third-line center? How much do guys like Colton and Kerfoot have left in the tank? All questions that are currently in the process of being answered by MacFarland and company.
Beyond that, evaluating the possibility of revisiting the trade market with the aforementioned veterans could be on the table. Reading the tea leaves, O’Reilly and Stamkos are not likely to be traded this season. As one source mentioned to DFO, having O’Reilly around a guy like Wright could help the latter learn how to be a full-time pivot in the NHL. As for Stamkos, his 11 goals and 20 points would be a devastating blow for the Predators to lose – especially in the midst of such a hot start to the season.
In the case of Marchessault, he has always stood out as the “square peg” among all of the Trotz-UFA-signed forwards. Currently injured, Marchessault has just two goals and five points through 14 games this season. The 35-year-old winger has a full no-movement clause in his deal and carries an AAV of $5.5 million for two seasons beyond this one. Moving him will be an uphill battle, but MacFarland could find a taker looking for a veteran for a playoff push, though the player will have to give it the green light.
The Predators could always eat salary on Marchessault’s contract to help facilitate a deal, as they project to have north of $43 million of salary cap space by the trade deadline and have all of their salary-retention spots open. If the Predators were to make Marchessault a $3-million-per-year player, for example, perhaps a playoff team up against the cap would bite on him.
Speculatively speaking, the Vegas Golden Knights could make sense. As always, Vegas is right up against the salary cap this season, so it would take some cap gymnastics from GM Kelly McCrimmon to make any kind of an acquisition. But given the player’s past history with Vegas – he was the Conn Smythe winner when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023 – a reunion could make sense for both sides if the money works.
The Predators’ hot start has given their new management group the chance to take their time evaluating what they have. With so many new faces on the roster performing to varying degrees, it could result in the team exploring both making additions and shipping out old faces.
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