The All-Time 25 Games or Less Nashville Predators Lineup

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 3: Peter Forsberg #21 of the Nashville Predators looks on during a break in NHL game action against the Los Angeles Kings on March 3, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Predators defeated the Kings 6-3. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 3: Peter Forsberg #21 of the Nashville Predators looks on during a break in NHL game action against the Los Angeles Kings on March 3, 2007 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Predators defeated the Kings 6-3. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images)
5 of 6
Matt Carle
(Photo by Sanford Myers/Getty Images)

Defense- Matt Carle (6 games 0 goals 1 assist 1 point)

Carle wasn’t a trade deadline acquisition but an offseason one. He signed a 1 year $700K prove you’ve still got it deal, and well he didn’t have it.

Carle played in just six games with minimal minutes, and was promptly healthy scratched, and then placed on waivers. Once he cleared waivers he announced his retirement.

Before that, Carle was a relatively productive player from the back end. He produced five seasons of at least 30 points or more and played in 730 NHL games. He totaled up 45 goals and 238 assists for 283 points and would go on to add another 44 points in 127 games of playoff action.

Carle didn’t appear in any of the Predators’ 2017 playoff games.

Defense – Erik Gudbranson (9 games 0 goals 1 assist 1 point)

You could’ve gone any number of ways for this last defense spot (MDZ was considered and he’s a former Flyer) but so far this is a lineup that could use some size and grit and Gudbranson brings just that.

A 2021 trade deadline pickup, Gudbranson didn’t do much offensively in his 9 games and only got in 2 playoff games that season. He did manage 12 PIMs during his time. Over his career, he’s played 711 NHL games, with 28 goals and 79 assists for 107 points.

A defense-first guy, Gudbranson has played for 8 teams and continues to find ways to stay in the league. He’s very much a Luke Schenn-type player and clearly has value around the league.