The Nashville Predators not only analyzed their staff, but their roster as well. Over the past few seasons under former GM Barry Trotz, the Predators spent a lot of money on players like Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and Brady Skjei. However, Nashville did not see success.
That's why a change was needed. It felt like Trotz's “Big Three” or “Three Aces in the Pit” had been in the news ever since they arrived in Nashville. Not to mention the Predators' top center, Ryan O'Reilly, seemed to always be mentioned at the trade deadline.
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So instead of sending out more young players, the Predators got younger and more talented under new GM Chris MacFarland. But also with the work he has put in this off-season. There is a feeling that the Predators are not finished.
Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press Hockey joined Nashville Sports Radio, and while it was quiet out west, he was asked if the Nashville Predators have completed a move.
Writing for NHLRumors.com
Host: “Jim, hold on, man. We all know we talked to you about this not too long ago: The Predators, right now with new management, seem to be very quiet because they're as tight as a drum with Nick Saban advising and consulting. There's nothing coming out of 501 Broadway. We haven't heard a single rumor that Jim has said anything, not one word of yours. What do you feel? What are your feelings?
Jim Biringer: “Yeah, well, let's start. Let's go back a little bit. Last time I was on the show, we talked about Nashville going to have an offseason, and they did. You bring in Chris MacFarland. You get a couple of guys they know in Jack Drury and Ross Colton. And the big story is going to come in here between you, especially in Youngerville. A couple of centers, and then you get Mavrik Bourque from Dallas and Ilya Lyubushkin.
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Now, the word on the street was that that trade was planned because there was a possible offer sheet from the Nashville Predators to Mavrik Bourque, so that kind of made that trade easier. And I still think they're not done with something. I still think they're going to retool their roster because they're young, and I know Chris MacFarland talked about not giving out handouts.
You want the younger players to find a place, and I think some guys will do that. But I still have my eye on some of those veterans, a guy like Jonathan Marchessault. So I almost wonder if they are trying to quietly see if they can get out of that deal and try to move other players, but he said again that the veterans will say how this team will go.
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But I still think if they can do something and move that money around, that could be helpful for this team. But again, it's been quiet in Nashville, and that's a good thing because for the past few years, all we've heard was the name coming out. That's not the way you want to do business in the National Hockey League.”
Marchessault has been a hot name since last season. He is entering the third year of a five-year, $5.5 million contract. Although he doesn't have a no-movement clause, something is wrong, and he can't settle in his new place. As the cap goes up, $5.5 million isn't bad for a player who always puts the puck in the net.
It will be interesting to see what MacFarland and the Nashville Predators do with him and the rest of the roster as the 2026 season progresses.
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