Nashville Predators: Armchair GM Season is Upon Us

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 08: With 1,320 wins, Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile became, on March 1, 2018, the winningest general manager in NHL history. He was honored prior to the March 8, 2018, game between the Predators and the Anaheim Ducks, held at Bridgestone Arena, in Nashville, Tennessee. Poile surpassed Glen Sather, who finished his career with 1,319 wins. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 08: With 1,320 wins, Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile became, on March 1, 2018, the winningest general manager in NHL history. He was honored prior to the March 8, 2018, game between the Predators and the Anaheim Ducks, held at Bridgestone Arena, in Nashville, Tennessee. Poile surpassed Glen Sather, who finished his career with 1,319 wins. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Nashville Predators have one of the most crucial offseasons in franchise history coming up this summer. The rumors are already swirling. Let’s don our GM hats and make the moves to bring home the Cup next season.

The Nashville Predators won the Central Division this year for the second consecutive season. They overcame injuries to key players and advanced to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth straight year under Peter Laviolette. However, they came up short and were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round at the hands of the Dallas Stars. It was a crushing blow to every one involved.

Not unlike the previous four trips to the playoffs, the Predators did not win the Cup. Normally, that would be okay, albeit tough to swallow. But, it wouldn’t scream, “time to tear it down.” This season was different, though. This was supposed to be the year. The roster was largely unchanged from the President’s Trophy winning team of 2018. It was largely unchanged from the team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017. Expectations had never been greater. Bounced in the first round. The fans are clamoring for a change. The rumor-mill is on high alert. Speculation gone wild. Here is what I would do, if I was the GM.