Steven Stamkos and the Nashville Predators could not overcome a slow start in 2025-26 to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team found new life as the season went along, and they made a strong push for postseason hockey. In the end, it wasn't meant to be.
It wasn't a completely poor season for Nashville. Stamkos sort of revitalized himself in 2025-26, scoring 42 goals and 66 points while playing a full 82 games. The Predators also got a 40-goal season from Filip Forsberg, as well.
This summer was one of change for Nashville, though. Barry Trotz retired from the game of hockey, meaning the team needed a new general manager. After David Poile's long reign at the head of the front office, Nashville had to find its third-ever general manager.
To this end, they looked at a division rival. The Predators hired Chris MacFarland to be the President of Hockey Operations in Nashville. It was a massive move from Nashville, poaching one of the game's best executives from a team not too far removed from a Stanley Cup.
His arrival in Nashville has certainly provided a ton of optimism. It also begs some important questions for this team heading into the new season.
Can Steven Stamkos do it again?
Steven Stamkos did not have his best season in 2024-25 when debuting for the Predators. The future Hall of Famer wasn't bad by any means. But at the same time, he wasn't the same player he had been with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
We saw more of that player of old in 2025-26, though. His 42-goal season last year gives him two 40+ goal seasons in his last three years, and three in his last five. Even at the age of 36, Stamkos remains a highly effective goal scorer.
It remains to be seen which version of Stamkos is the one we get in 2026-27. Is he the 40+ goal scorer who can play at the top of the lineup? Or was his 2025-26 campaign the last gasp of an illustrious career?
Article Continues BelowHow will Mavrik Bourque perform after Stars trade?
The Predators swung a trade with the Dallas Stars around the start of NHL free agency. This trade saw Nashville land Mavrik Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin from Dallas. Lyubushkin provides depth on defense, but Bourque is the centerpiece of this deal.
Bourque had shown promise in Dallas's minor league system before 2025-26. However, he put it all together last year. The 24-year-old scored 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games last year. Due to the Stars' salary cap situation, they moved him to Nashville instead of signing him in restricted free agency.
Bourque signed a six-year contract with the Predators. Is this the beginning of an ascention for the young forward? Is he the next piece of the puzzle for the Predators? If he is, this is a huge get for Nashville.
What do Predators have in Matthew Wood?
One of the things Nashville has to figure out is its top six. There are locks for the top six, such as Bourque, Stamkos, and Filip Forsberg. However, there are roster spots to be won. That gives top prospect Matthew Wood a chance to break through.
Wood played his first full NHL season in 2025-26, and he performed quite well. He scored 17 goals and 30 points during his debut campaign. He was one of the team's better depth scoring options last year.
With a chance for more playing time comes a chance for more production. Can Wood become more of a centerpiece for this franchise? Or will he suffer the infamous âÂÂsophomore slumpâ during his second year in the NHL?