Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

The Nashville Predators were another team that had a surprising campaign in the 2023-24 season under rookie head coach, Andrew Brunette and managed to make the playoffs before losing in 7 to the Vancouver Canucks. The upcoming offseason is a massive one for the franchise as they have a huge decision to make regarding Juuse Saros, and whether or not they want to give him a long-term extension or not; if they choose to not offer him an extension, he could be traded for a massive haul, allowing 22-year-old Russian Goalie, Yaroslav Askarov to take over the reins in net.  The Nashville Predators have 10 picks in the 2024 NHL Draft. 2024 NHL Draft 22-Andrew Basha (LW/RW) 53-Matvei Shuravin (D) 55-Alexander Zetterberg (C) 59-Carson Wetsch (RW) 87-Joona Saarelainen (C) 94-Jack Berglund (LW) 99-Mikhail Yegorov (G) 119-Ben Danford (D) 214-Karl Sterner (RW) The Nashville Predators drafted a collection of solid prospects to improve their prospect pool, including Andrew Basha in the 1st round, ...

The Western Conference Playoffs picture has changed since my podcast was earlier released on Friday. Here are the updated Western Conference Matchups: Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators Key Players: COL: N.MacKinnon, M.Rantanen, G.Landeskog, N.Kadri, A.Burakovsky, A.Lehkonen, V.Nichushkin, C.Makar, D.Toews, S.Girard, J.Manson NSH: F.Forsberg, M.Duchene, R.Johansen, M.Granlund, L.Kunin, C.Sissons, T.Trenin, R.Josi, M.Ekholm, D.Fabbro, A.Carrier X-Factors: COL-A.Newhook, NSH-P.Tomasino Goalie Matchup: D.Kuemper vs D.Rittich The Colorado Avalanche faced the Nashville Predators 4 times in the regular season, but they only managed to win 1 game against the Predators. It's a good thing that Colorado has home-ice advantage because the Avs have allowed an average of 5 goals against on the road in the season series with Nashville. Colorado faced Nashville 6 times in the playoffs, but they have lost 4 times to them in the postseason. Even though Colorado is going to be heavily fav...

 The Nashville Predators currently hold the 1st wildcard spot in the western conference, but if they want to maintain that position, they will need to strengthen their team at the deadline and add some more pieces to the team. This is what the Nashville Predators should do at the Trade Deadline. Trades: Nashville Predators acquire John Klingberg from the Dallas Stars for Dante Fabbro, Cody Glass, 2023 1st round pick. John Klingberg gives the Predators another high-end, puck-moving defenseman, which should help propel the team to new heights. Nashville Predators also trade Nick Cousins, Rocco Grimaldi, 2024 3rd round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Lawson Crouse, Riley Nash, Christian Fischer. If the Predators make it to the Conference Finals, the 3rd round pick becomes a 2nd round pick. The Predators add some depth forwards to the team with the additions of Lawson Crouse, Riley Nash, and Christian Fischer; these players will bring some much-needed sandpaper to the 4th line. The Pr...

The Nashville Predators are a team that is stuck in no man's land, because they aren't good enough to make the playoffs, yet aren't bad enough to tank. So the best thing for them to do is trade away the players with value and rebuilding the team through the draft. This is how I would rebuild the Nashville Predators. At the 2022 Trade deadline, two major trades are made: Nashville Predators trade Mattias Ekholm to the New York Islanders for Kieffer Bellows, Simon Holmstrom, and a 1st round pick in 2022. The Islanders need to improve their left defense after trading away Nick Leddy, and Mattias Ekholm would make their defense even more potent. For the Predators, they get two top prospects and a 1st round pick, which helps to accelerate the rebuild. The Predators also trade Filip Forsberg to the New Jersey Devils for Jesper Bratt, Kevin Bahl, 2022 1st round pick.  The Devils need to add another top 6 wingers if they are making a playoff push, and Filip Forsberg has been consis...

 The Nashville Predators have never won a Stanley Cup in their Franchise history, the closest they came to winning a Championship was in 2017 when they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is how the Nashville Predators could become Stanley Cup Champions. Before the expansion draft, the Nashville Predators make a huge trade. Nashville Predators trade Mikael Granlund, Rocco Grimaldi to the Seattle Kraken for 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 4th round pick. The Predators get a few draft picks in exchange for Mikael Granlund, who was going to be a UFA, and Rocco Grimaldi, who was seldomly used last season. Nashville Predators lose Erik Haula to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. Before the 2021 draft, one trade is made. Nashville Predators trade Mattias Ekholm to the Boston Bruins for Urho Vaakanainen, Jeremy Lauzon, Nick Ritchie, 2021 1st round pick. The Predators trade Mattias Ekholm to the Bruins for Vaakanainen and Lauzon, two good young defensemen, Ni...