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With seven new players and an infusion of young talent on the roster, the Nashville Predators are one of the NHL's most improved teams during the summer.
When the season opens Oct. 1, the Predators should be among the league's most underrated teams for the 2026-27 season, and likely a dark horse pick by some to make noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The problem is the Predators still play in the ultra competitive Central Division.
Even with new general manager Chris MacFarland's roster overhaul, they still have to battle all season against Western Conference favorites like Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota, plus up-and-coming teams like St. Louis and Utah.
Last season, the Predators came within four points of the final wild card. If MacFarland's additions work out, they should be among the teams headed to the playoffs next April.
PROJECTED LINEUP: Nashville Predators' projected lineup following Chris MacFarland's trades, free agency
The favorite: Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche had the No. 1 ranked offense and defense last season. They lost a key contributor in Valeri Nichushkin, trading him to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and sent role players Jack Drury and Ross Colton to Nashville. But when you have Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on your team, you're just better than everyone else. Expect the Avalanche to be among the league's top scoring teams at both ends.
Colorado's main competitors: Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild
The Dallas Stars had a strange offseason. The Jason Robertson saga finally ended on July 21, when they signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, $12 million deal. In the process, they lost Mavrik Bourque to the Predators and didn't add any other significant players. They should still challenge the Avalanche for the top spot, but they did nothing to prove they can pass them.
Minnesota has quickly built a formidable team, headlined by adding Quinn Hughes from Vancouver last season. With Hughes, Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon, the Wild make a case for the best overall defense in the division. Kirill Kaprizov enters Year 1 of his eight-year, $136 million contract this season and should challenge for the Rocket Richard trophy.
The wild-card teams: Utah Mammoth, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues
The Predators return their top five scorers (Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos, Luke Evangelista, Roman Josi), add a highly touted young center in Bourque, and reinforce their defense with two excellent defensive forwards in Drury and Colton. That's enough to put them in the conversation for the wild card. Goaltender Juuse Saros' performance continues to slide, but Justus Annunen has played well enough to earn 1B status in net heading into the season.
Utah moved on from forward J.J Peterka after one season (addition by subtraction, there) and shored up its defense with John Marino. But do the Mammoth have the firepower to keep up with the Stars and Avalanche? A lot depends on Logan Cooley's health.
St. Louis added Mason McTavish, a young and talented center, and Connor McMichael, whom it acquired from Washington for Jordan Kyrou. That solves its immediate needs at forward. But defense and goaltending remain a problem. A flawed team, like most wild-card hopefuls.
The deadline sellers: Winnipeg Jets
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's future will be the headline in Winnipeg most of the season. The Jets seem to understand this, which is perhaps why they added Stuart Skinner this summer. With a top-heavy forward group and a defense that struggled despite Hellebuyck's work in net, the Jets should be sellers at the deadline.
The bottom: Chicago Blackhawks
A surprising overpay for defenseman Bowen Byram isn't why the Blackhawks will remain in last place in the Central Division. Instead, the continued lack of support for Connor Bedard — who will miss at least one month of the season with a shoulder injury — will hurt them once again.
Expect the Blackhawks to be in line for another lottery pick in June.
TRADE IDEA: 10 years after Shea Weber, why Predators should trade captain Roman Josi
EXECUTIVE OUT: Nashville Predators assistant GM Jeff Kealty hired by San Jose Sharks
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. 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: Where Predators rank in Central Division after GM Chris MacFarland's moves
Continue reading...
When the season opens Oct. 1, the Predators should be among the league's most underrated teams for the 2026-27 season, and likely a dark horse pick by some to make noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The problem is the Predators still play in the ultra competitive Central Division.
Even with new general manager Chris MacFarland's roster overhaul, they still have to battle all season against Western Conference favorites like Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota, plus up-and-coming teams like St. Louis and Utah.
Last season, the Predators came within four points of the final wild card. If MacFarland's additions work out, they should be among the teams headed to the playoffs next April.
PROJECTED LINEUP: Nashville Predators' projected lineup following Chris MacFarland's trades, free agency
Where the Nashville Predators rank in Central Division after summer moves
The favorite: Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche had the No. 1 ranked offense and defense last season. They lost a key contributor in Valeri Nichushkin, trading him to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and sent role players Jack Drury and Ross Colton to Nashville. But when you have Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on your team, you're just better than everyone else. Expect the Avalanche to be among the league's top scoring teams at both ends.
Colorado's main competitors: Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild
The Dallas Stars had a strange offseason. The Jason Robertson saga finally ended on July 21, when they signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, $12 million deal. In the process, they lost Mavrik Bourque to the Predators and didn't add any other significant players. They should still challenge the Avalanche for the top spot, but they did nothing to prove they can pass them.
Minnesota has quickly built a formidable team, headlined by adding Quinn Hughes from Vancouver last season. With Hughes, Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon, the Wild make a case for the best overall defense in the division. Kirill Kaprizov enters Year 1 of his eight-year, $136 million contract this season and should challenge for the Rocket Richard trophy.
The wild-card teams: Utah Mammoth, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues
The Predators return their top five scorers (Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos, Luke Evangelista, Roman Josi), add a highly touted young center in Bourque, and reinforce their defense with two excellent defensive forwards in Drury and Colton. That's enough to put them in the conversation for the wild card. Goaltender Juuse Saros' performance continues to slide, but Justus Annunen has played well enough to earn 1B status in net heading into the season.
Utah moved on from forward J.J Peterka after one season (addition by subtraction, there) and shored up its defense with John Marino. But do the Mammoth have the firepower to keep up with the Stars and Avalanche? A lot depends on Logan Cooley's health.
St. Louis added Mason McTavish, a young and talented center, and Connor McMichael, whom it acquired from Washington for Jordan Kyrou. That solves its immediate needs at forward. But defense and goaltending remain a problem. A flawed team, like most wild-card hopefuls.
The deadline sellers: Winnipeg Jets
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's future will be the headline in Winnipeg most of the season. The Jets seem to understand this, which is perhaps why they added Stuart Skinner this summer. With a top-heavy forward group and a defense that struggled despite Hellebuyck's work in net, the Jets should be sellers at the deadline.
The bottom: Chicago Blackhawks
A surprising overpay for defenseman Bowen Byram isn't why the Blackhawks will remain in last place in the Central Division. Instead, the continued lack of support for Connor Bedard — who will miss at least one month of the season with a shoulder injury — will hurt them once again.
Expect the Blackhawks to be in line for another lottery pick in June.
TRADE IDEA: 10 years after Shea Weber, why Predators should trade captain Roman Josi
EXECUTIVE OUT: Nashville Predators assistant GM Jeff Kealty hired by San Jose Sharks
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. 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: Where Predators rank in Central Division after GM Chris MacFarland's moves
Continue reading...
