With the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs underway, the Nashville Predators must begin their offseason plans while everyone else is distracted.
This year's NHL free agency class is loaded with a lot of top talent and Predators General Manager Barry Trotz must capitalize on the opportunity. After an extremely underwhelming season, we could only expect big moves to be made in the next few months. Whether these moves include selling players or reeling them in, we know something big will happen.
If Trotz decides to shake up the roster and sign some guys in free agency, there's a chance the team could get better. Offense was a weak spot for the Preds this season, ranking 31st in goals scored among the leagues' teams.
Despite bringing in superstar wingers in the previous free agency, scoring on the wing hasn't been impressive. Let's dive into three wingers that the Predators should target this offseason.
We already addressed who is available at the center position in offseason free agency. Check out Calvin Luckfield's write up on who the Nashville Predators could target at that position.
Predators Need Playmaking, Marner Fills the Need
If there is one thing we learned from this season, it's that having multiple snipers doesn't always lead to more scoring. They need somebody to feed them the puck from across the ice. The Predators thought Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos were the keys to a perfect offense but soon realized that pairing two snipers together ends up in a puck-hog dance.
Introducing Mitch Marner to the conversation and we have a mixture of superstar scoring with elite playmaking. Marner finished the regular season with 102 points, consisting of 27 goals and 75 assists. 27 of his power play points were assists. We expected the Predators power play to be a powerhouse but it ultimately failed without a proper playmaker. Sure, we had Roman Josi on the blueline but even then, the team struggled to score.
Marner is one of the best passers in the league. He is known for his exceptional hockey IQ and ability to predict plays before they even happen. His capability to sauce the puck across the ice helps set up plays which typically result in goals.
Additionally, Marner is very adaptive, especially when it comes to playing defense. Towards the end of the season, Marner had to suit up as a defenseman and he claimed that "[he] don't feel lost or uncomfortable...enjoy it back there when I get the chance to play D."
With our defense also in shambles this year, adding a solution to both of the team's problems is ideal. His two-way game is some of the best in the league and the Predators would benefit greatly from his presence. Given that Marner is expecting nearly $14 million AAV on his next contract, Trotz would need to take this signing into deep consideration.