Start having fun again and start building a winning culture
This sounds so basic, but it's true that winning cures all. Unfortunately, the talent depletion and the lack of cohesion has made winning really hard to come by. Let's at least not gloss over the Predators' most recent game, a pretty exciting team-effort win over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Predators were trailing the Red Wings 2-1 heading into the third period and appeared to be heading towards another repeat of not being able to score more than a goal or two. Then the floodgates opened up, and this team looked like they were having fun again.
Everyone contributed in this win over Detroit, who aren't slouches out there in the Eastern Conference standings. For the Predators, they really need to find a way to build off this momentum and just start playing loose again. Block the outside noise out, and focus on each game at hand. Again, it sounds cheesy, but it's so true.
It's tough being in this current situation because we're kind of stuck in a gray area. A lot of these guys deep down have no clue which team they're going to be playing for in a month or so. They're playing for their next contracts elsewhere, and not necessarily the long-term of the Nashville Predators. That's why my first point in this article is so vital for Trotz. He has to do well with these upcoming trades and get past this phase before the other stuff can come together.
For the time being, I'm hoping to see this team rally aroun each other. Find ways to win gritty and show some pushback. If they come out losing anyway, we at least want to see it in an effort that shows they're leaving everything they have out there.
To be fair, I have seen this team do that over the recent games starting back in the first game at the Global Series in Sweden. A crazy comeback win with a late goal from Forsberg, and a game-winner in overtime from Stamkos.
Against the NHL's best team after coming back from Sweden, the Predators went toe-to-toe with the Colorado Avalanche and could've easily won that game but ran into a great goalie and just couldn't finish on their offensive chances. But the fight was there against a heavily favored opponent.
All this team can do right now is focus on the next game and not hang their heads on the past. They can change the outlook of this season quickly right now, even if that means they're still going to eventually end up broken apart and a lottery team. Just show the fanbase you're not going to just lie down and take it. Fight back, as Trotz pretty much said.
— hockey images that precede unfortunate events (@UnfortunateHKY) November 25, 2025
So to recap, my three things to gain for the Nashville Predators are: notching some trade wins, giving increased opportunities for growth with the youth, and just showing an overall pushback and improvement in team culture.