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2023 Central Division Preview Series: Nashville Predators

By Brian Sweet |
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Tanner Molendyk is selected by the Nashville Predators with the 24th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Tanner Molendyk is selected by the Nashville Predators with the 24th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

We continue our Central Division Preview going west to Nashville where we will take a look at the Nashville Predators. During the offseason, they said goodbye to their long-time General Manager David Poile who served 26 years as the GM. They brought him in to start this franchise from the ground up The other GMs in the league made sure to honor him at this year’s NHL Draft in Nashville one last time.

They are also starting over with a brand new Head Coach. Andrew Brunette is taking over the reins in Nashville and he has some really good players coming in to help him out in his first season as the Head Coach. Let’s take a look at the Nashville Predators and see if they are any threat to the Dallas Stars this season.

Nashville Predators Preview: Key Losses

Matt Duchene

Ryan Johansen

Cal Foote

Mark Borowiecki

Others from the trade deadline 

Nashville Predators Preview: Key Signings

Head Coach Andrew Brunette

Ryan O’Reilly

Luke Schenn

Gustav Nyquist

Denis Gurianov

Nashville Predators Preview: Assessment

The Nashville Predators basically announced to the league that they are also going through a rebuild as they bought out Matt Duchene. Unfortunately, they will have to go up against him since he signed with the Dallas Stars.

They are looking to get really young and you could tell it started with all the trades that they made at the trade deadline last season. They did improve some with the O’Reilly and Schenn signing. Dobber Hockey was kind of surprised by the Nyquist and Gurianov signings. I guess they will play a key role on the Predators’ roster next season.

Nashville Predators Preview: Predators 2023-24 Prediction 6th place

I don’t know if the Predators have done enough to be in contention for a Wild Card spot this season. If they are basically in a rebuild like the St. Louis Blues, it’s going to be some rough hockey for the Nashville fanbase. I hope that the new GM that will step in will expedite their rebuild and make them strong again. I enjoy watching Dallas Stars games against Predators teams that are competitive. I just don’t know how competitive they will be with a brand-new head coach.

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