The 2023-2024 Nashville Predators season was a wild one to experience. A slow start and less-than-average mid-season was pointing towards another long summer for the boys in gold. However, a late season 18-game point streak, career seasons for multiple players in the lineup, and star goaltender, Juuse Saros, returning to form helped the Preds secure the WC1 slot in this year’s playoff hunt.
The Predators went over a month without losing in regulation, dominating the post-All Star break stretch to secure the WC1 slot in this year’s hunt for Lord Stanley. From February 10 to April 15, Nashville went 21-3-7. They outshot their opponents 1147-988, for an average of 37 shots per game, and outscored their opponents 116-88 for an average of 3.74 goals per game. The Preds were on fire, winning key games against Winnipeg, Vegas, and Colorado when they needed to, and going well over a month without losing a game in regulation.
From their high-scoring form in the last 31 games of the season, the Preds couldn’t find those offensive opportunities they needed come playoffs. A lot of their game down the stretch was throwing anything and everything at the goaltender, and getting lucky about 10% of the time, but Vancouver limited their shots significantly. The Preds only got 150 shots on net in the series, scoring just 12 goals. And while Nashville was able to limit the Canucks to 121 shots, they were able to get in 13 goals. The Preds were strong opponents against the Canucks, both playing heavyweight, highly defensive hockey, but couldn’t find the puck luck they needed and lacked the depth in the lineup to play a full 60 minutes of hockey.
So, where do the Preds go from here? They have six players headed into this summer as unrestricted free agents and newcomer Jaret Anderson-Dolan as a restricted free agent. Last season, new general manager, Barry Trotz, made moves to trim an aging Nashville team, hoping for a quick retool. Their AHL affiliates, the Milwaukee Admirals, are blooming with young talent that are looking to take that next step, and are gaining much-needed experience as they continue their pursuit towards the Calder Cup. Do the Preds look to move on from the players with expiring contracts, like late-season acquisitions Jason Zucker and Anthony Beauvillier, or players that are starting to bloom, like Kevin Lankenin and Alexandre Carrier? How many more seasons do stars Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, and Filip Forsberg have in their tank?
It all comes down to what Trotz thinks is best for the future. This team connected this season when they needed to, but can they recreate that FU2-run spark? Are players like Spencer Stasney, Marc Del Gaizo, & Philip Tomasino ready for the big leagues? Can bringing in a big-impact player like Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, or even Steven Stamkos bring new life, leadership, and hopefully better puck luck to raise Nashville back into the playoff hunt in 2025?
This is a team that has many different paths available and could be a very interesting July 1st to follow.
ITR 30: Down The Stretch – Inside The Rink
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