Everyone remembers the Nashville Predators coming into the season last year with strong expectations, only to stumble out of the gate with an 0-5-0 start. It was a complete disaster, and it felt like the sky was falling after Barry Trotz's massive splurge in the offseason.
He and Andrew Brunette quickly realized that the Predators were not going anywhere meaningful with the roster that started out the season, which prompted them to shake things up a bit. Most of what that entailed was giving unexpected opportunities to some of the youngsters, and few benefitted from it more than Zachary L'Heureux.
L'Heureux was the first one to receive a call up, which occurred right after the 0-5-0 start. He did not do anything crazy notable, and he was not expected to do so, as the biggest thing for him was getting his feet wet at the NHL level, and he is simply better for having that experience going into 2025-26.
L'Heureux aims to build on his first full-time season with Nashville Predators
L'Heureux is a former first round pick, going 27th overall in the 2021 Draft, so making his NHL debut 3 years later is just about what you would expect from a prospect of his status. Everyone knows he is a physical, battling, in your face type of guy, but also that he has had trouble controlling himself throughout his career, and last year showed he knew he had to change at the NHL level.
L'Heureux certainly did not lose his identity as a player, he was still extremely physical and racked up 198 hits on the year, all of which happened in 62 games while averaging 12:03 of ice time. But when you think back to the games he played in, he largely avoided making dirty plays and involving himself in any unnecessary altercations.
Now it was not perfect, as he did commit a slewfoot during a game in Minnesota, got a game misconduct, and a suspension of three games. That being said, it was borderline in terms of how dirty it was, and many believe that his past reputation might have played a role in the decision to suspend him.
Either way, it is human nature to have old bad habits reappear at times, and the important thing is that L'Heureux managed to stay out of any major trouble for the rest of the year. It may seem trivial, but fighting your instincts is hard, and he is doing that and showing ability to adapt to what does and does not fly as he progresses through his career.
As far as what he did as a pure player, he was nothing more than a bottom six grinder, and that was all that was expected of him in his rookie year. He finished with five goals and ten assists on the year, which was fine for what it was, and not truly what was going to define success or failure for him.
If there is one thing I will be looking for him to improve in his second year, it is his shooting percentage, as he finished with a measly 6.4% on the year, but that is one of those things that will come in time for a young guy who is not at all known as an elite shooter.
Honestly, for as much as the Predators changed their lines last year and gave ridiculously short leashes to some youngsters, L'Heureux never lost his spot for anything other than injury and suspension, and that in itself is encouraging.
Can L'Heureux move up the Preds lineup in 2025-26?
The most important thing for a guy like L'Heureux is to continue to improve and take on more responsibility, but of course, it is not like he will suddenly become a game wrecker. His role will still probably be fairly sheltered, mostly bottom six, although I could see him eventually being more of a middle six guy as the year progresses.
His finishing ability is one of the biggest things he will have to work on, and that is also one of those areas that will get better as he simply gains more experience and comfort at the NHL level. If he ups his shooting percentage and plays a few more minutes a game, there is a good chance his production can take a real step forward.
The good news for him is that with how this Predators roster is assembled, he has ample opportunity to prove himself and earn more responsibility. The final wing spot on the second line is far from secured, and there is nobody in front of him who poses a major threat to his chances to get it.
Competition on this Predators team is wide open in many areas, and it is perfect for someone with a blue collar mentality like L'Heureux to take advantage. I expect it to only make it better.
Final predictions: 11 goals, 17 assists, 250 hits