It is that time of year that the bad NHL teams are in the death march to the end of the season that hockey is nearly unwatchable unless you're a diehard fan, or glutton for punishment. The Nashville Predators are firmly in that category.
With just a merciful 11 games left, the Nashville Predators as a team are basically out of things to play for, but individuals might be able to really make some headway over this timeframe. We'll take a look at some of these storylines and see if they might have impact beyond this season.
How Does Andrew Brunette Handle the Rest of the Season?
Andrew Brunette is having his worst year as a head coach, proceeding over a team having one of the worst years in franchise history. Brunette has never not had success in his NHL head coaching career and we've seen the frustration from him a few times this year.
Now that we're late in the year he's got a defensive lineup that looks more like Milwaukee's, and lines that have been through a blender. Is he going to experiment and stay locked in through game 82, or is he going to be more passive, do more observing? Through the final press conferences you'll be able to tell from his answers maybe just where his head is at, and if he thinks he'll be back next season.
Which Six Does Michael Bunting Belong With?
Barry Trotz has made a lot of moves and it is hard to put grades on a few with lots of dust still to settle on this retool/rebuild, but the consensus on Michael Bunting is that at least he's a player that makes sense. He's a gritty forward who can score, and Trotz and Bruno can use a player like that every night of the season.
The real question that might linger beyond these final 11 games is which unit does Michael Bunting belong with? Is he a premier bottom six forward who adds scoring depth to the offense? Is he a power forward who will go nuts with the high end talent on the top lines and fill the net as a doorstop presence?
He's got more offensive talent than a Colton Sissons type player, but the real answer might be just simply in roster construction. If Bunting wants to influence that though, he could do so but filling the net these last few games.
The Last Chances
Jakub Vrana has gone from useful scorer to replacement level player who was claimed off of waivers by the Predators and is playing out what might be his last North American contract.
Vrana can still score at the NHL level, but doesn't do much else. Plus he's a European player so there are plenty of contracts to be had across the sea. In a sheltered top six and powerplay role he might have value but you can't just give those away.
A player like Kiefer Bellows was also in this category. To his credit Bellows did his best to play a solid two way game and be a strong forechecking presence. His 3 points (2 goals 1 assist) in 13 games isn't blowing the doors off of anything, but as a bottom six forward? Totally acceptable numbers and frankly on par with what some of those guys have been producing.
Despite that, Bellows has hit waivers again. Both He and Del Gaizo could help the Admirals playoff push but probably would benefit from the NHL time more.
According to @PuckPedia, the #Preds have put Marc Del Gaizo and Kieffer Bellows on waivers.
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) March 26, 2025
The Defense Deadlocked For Spots
There are a lot of defensive prospects for the Nashville Predators coming up. Tanner Molendyk should be skating with the Predators next season. Ryan Ufko is pretty well thought of in organization and having a good year with the Admirals. Andrew Gibson is a 6'4 prospect starring with the Oshawa Generals who is right handed, which basically guarantees him an NHL shot at some point. With Roman Josi, Jeremy Lauzon, and Brady Skeji all penciled in for next year, the slots on defense are going to be thin.
Now with being sent down it might be that Marc Del Gaizo is out of the race. Has Nick Blankenburg done enough to secure a spot? Is it finally Spencer Stastney time, as he's at least finally playing consistently. Andreas Englund is just a season removed from playing all 82 games for the LA Kings and certainly wants to be an NHL regular again.
Justin Barron is being given all the rope in the world and seems to be settling on the postive side playwise, but not by much. His gap might not be wide enough to ward off future challenges from anyone and from the next generation of young defenders without a late season breakthrough.
Who Fills The Leadership Void?
With Roman Josi shut down for the season, who leads the charge over the final portion of the season? Do the A's keep things as is or will a new voice rise up on the ice?
This is another place to look at a player like Michael Bunting to possibly assert himself into an elevated role. Luke Evangelista is no longer the youngest forward, does he show some more maturity to his game as he sees the new kids coming into day care?
It might not be enough for you to watch, but we will be here at Predlines.