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A summer of change is ahead for the Nashville Predators, with a new general manager expected to be hired sometime before the draft in June.
But according to Steven Stamkos, that doesn't mean a roster shakeup is coming.
Speaking to reporters at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, Stamkos explained what he has heard from current management regarding the near-term direction of the team.
"The message was the expectation is still to be a competitive team and to push for the playoffs," he said. "I don't anticipate any huge changes. We've talked about, is there going to be a rebuild or this or that? It's safe to say that's not going to be the case."
Nashville (38-34-10) came within four points of the playoffs this season, a big improvement from a bottom-three finish in 2024-25. Now, after holding exit meetings with players and coaches, the Predators seem eager to reload, instead of rebuild, the roster for 2026-27.
"We all want to be part of the solution," Stamkos said. "We saw it for 60 games, what the process can look like. The integration of some of the younger guys. The veteran guys pulling their weight. The goaltending that we have here. There's going to be some changes for sure, but the overall message that was portrayed to us today was let's have a great summer and get off to really good start next year and push for the playoffs."
Stamkos was not the only veteran member of the team with this sentiment. The message out of the Predators' end-of-season media availability, which included captain Roman Josi and alternate captains Ryan O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg, was that the team is close to returning to playoff form.
Of course, these conversations presumably involved general manager Barry Trotz, who is set to retire. The team's next general manager has not been hired, and the message could change dramatically once that person is in charge.
SABAN INVOLVED: Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban involved in Predators’ GM interviews, per report
But at least right now, the most important players on the roster are prepared to be back in Nashville next year.
"We should be a little pissed off that we're not playing hockey right now," Stamkos said. "But . . . there is a path there. I think all of us believe that. We'll see what shakes down here in the next month or two, or however long it takes to get new management. But I think the message is going to be the same. Let's try to improve this roster in any way we can and get back into the playoffs."
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos doesn't anticipate 'huge changes' for Predators in summer
Continue reading...
But according to Steven Stamkos, that doesn't mean a roster shakeup is coming.
Speaking to reporters at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, Stamkos explained what he has heard from current management regarding the near-term direction of the team.
"The message was the expectation is still to be a competitive team and to push for the playoffs," he said. "I don't anticipate any huge changes. We've talked about, is there going to be a rebuild or this or that? It's safe to say that's not going to be the case."
Nashville (38-34-10) came within four points of the playoffs this season, a big improvement from a bottom-three finish in 2024-25. Now, after holding exit meetings with players and coaches, the Predators seem eager to reload, instead of rebuild, the roster for 2026-27.
"We all want to be part of the solution," Stamkos said. "We saw it for 60 games, what the process can look like. The integration of some of the younger guys. The veteran guys pulling their weight. The goaltending that we have here. There's going to be some changes for sure, but the overall message that was portrayed to us today was let's have a great summer and get off to really good start next year and push for the playoffs."
Stamkos was not the only veteran member of the team with this sentiment. The message out of the Predators' end-of-season media availability, which included captain Roman Josi and alternate captains Ryan O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg, was that the team is close to returning to playoff form.
Of course, these conversations presumably involved general manager Barry Trotz, who is set to retire. The team's next general manager has not been hired, and the message could change dramatically once that person is in charge.
SABAN INVOLVED: Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban involved in Predators’ GM interviews, per report
But at least right now, the most important players on the roster are prepared to be back in Nashville next year.
"We should be a little pissed off that we're not playing hockey right now," Stamkos said. "But . . . there is a path there. I think all of us believe that. We'll see what shakes down here in the next month or two, or however long it takes to get new management. But I think the message is going to be the same. Let's try to improve this roster in any way we can and get back into the playoffs."
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos doesn't anticipate 'huge changes' for Predators in summer
Continue reading...
