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Predators aim to bounce back after high-priced flop last season

AP photo by George Walker IV / Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, left, who scored a goal, is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) and right wing Matthew Wood during Sunday's preseason game against the visiting Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena.
AP photo by George Walker IV / Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, left, who scored a goal, is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) and right wing Matthew Wood during Sunday's preseason game against the visiting Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. AP photo by George Walker IV / Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg, left, who scored a goal, is congratulated by center Steven Stamkos (91) and right wing Matthew Wood during Sunday's preseason game against the visiting Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena.

By TERESA M. WALKER / The Associated Press 5 min read

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators spent big on signing Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and Steven Stamkos in a spree that made them one of the Stanley Cup favorites a year ago.

Then the Predators flopped in a season to forget.

They stumbled from the start and limped to the finish with the NHL’s third-worst record for the 2024-25 campaign. The top pick overall in this year’s entry draft was closer than a playoff spot for Nashville, though the Predators couldn’t even hold on to their slot in the lottery, slipping to No. 5 overall.

“What’s happened in the last year?” Nashville center Fyodor Svechkov said with a smile. “I don’t remember. Looking forward to this year.”

The Predators open their 2025-26 regular-season schedule on Oct. 9, when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit Bridgestone Arena, and Nashville looks like it’s simply running everything back while just hoping it’s different this time around. Few outside the team expect it to work now.