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3 Offseason paths the Nashville Predators can take and the Impact of Each

This offseason will play a huge role in determining the Predators' direction. Here are three paths they could take, and what each one could mean for the future.
ByJordan Manning|
Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Justin Barron (20) celebrates his goal with his teammates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Justin Barron (20) celebrates his goal with his teammates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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After finishing the 2024-25 season in shambles, the Nashville Predators now turn their attention to the NHL Draft and free agency. Any move made in either will drastically shift the team's future—for better or worse. Preds General Manager Barry Trotz has made it clear that this offseason will focus on correcting past mistakes and setting the tone for a bounce-back year.

There are three main directions the Predators can go from here. Whether it’s selling off key pieces, going all-in on free agency, or running it back with a few small tweaks, Nashville will be a team to watch this summer. Let’s break down each of the potential paths and what they could mean for the future of Smashville.

Option 1: Tear Everything Down

Roman Josi Steven Stamkos Filip Forsberg Ryan O'Reilly Jonathan Marchessault Nashville Predator
Oct 28, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91), defenseman Roman Josi (59), center Jonathan Marchessault (81), left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and center Ryan O'Reilly (90) talk during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

If Trotz could’ve predicted how last year’s free agency spree would turn out, he might’ve seriously considered a rebuild. As it stands, Nashville now has six players locked into contracts with No-Movement Clauses (NMCs), combining for over $38 million in cap space taken. With all of them signed long-term, it’s going to be tough to move even one of those deals in the near future.

So, a full teardown is unlikely. Jonathan Marchessault has expressed a willingness to move on, but his age (34) and contract make trading him a challenge. Josi (35) and Forsberg (30) are still key pieces, but the cost and length of their deals make them nearly unmovable. Stamkos, now also 35 and carrying an $8 million annual hit, is in the same boat.

As for players who can realistically be moved, there are only a few. Centerman Ryan O'Reilly has garnered trade attention across the league in the past few months. At 34-years-old, O'Reilly has two years left on his contract after this season with a $4.5 million AAV. Teams like the New Jersey Devils are the frontrunners in trade rumors and have the assets to make Nashville happy in return. Factor does not have a NMC or NTC, meaning the Preds can trade him whenever they want to.

Then there’s Brady Skjei. He does have an NMC, but it only covers 15 teams, so a trade isn’t out of the question. Still, his six-year, $7 million AAV deal will give most teams cap headaches. If Trotz finds a taker, though, it could mark the beginning of a youth movement in Nashville—out with the old, in with the new.

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