Success or Failure to Nashville Predators season rests on youth, not veterans

There is a lot of talk about playoffs and wildcard chances for the Nashville Predators right now, but what is more important than those immediate rewards is how the long-term future looks.

The Predators leaned on youth led by players like Ryan Ufko, Matthew Wood and Fedor Svechkov to secure a comeback win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, a team they're directly chasing in the hunt for the last wildcard spot.

Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi have been increible stories this year. Josi had a health diagnosis that jeopardized his future, Stamkos has found vintage "Stammer" and O'Reilly has proven his unwavering loyalty to the franchise. But it's really not about them, ultimately.

Nashville Predators young talent finally getting their chance to fly and secure a playoff berth

This has been my best case scenario for a while now; trade some expiring ckntracts you have to move on from to create some space for young players that need to prove themselves. We have that opportunity now with Michael Bunting, Michael McCarron, Cole Smith and Nick Blankenburg all traded.

The dazzling goal scored by Ryan Ufko against Seattle, which turned out to be the game-winner, was chef's kiss kind of stuff. Faked out multiple defenders for the filthy goal.

RYAN UFKO HAS HIS FIRST NHL GOAL AND IT WAS GORGEOUS 😱 pic.twitter.com/Ge7plVWzEO
— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026

Then there is Matthew Wood setting up Reid Schaefer for a slam dunk style goal. I floated this idea of Wood at center a month before the trade deadline as I saw tge writing on the wall that was coming, and he is really looking good in that role early on. Let's see if he can sustain that. Big storyline that I'm following.

I also don't want to overlook Svechkov and the response to adversity that he is showing. He isn't hanging his head over a rocky start to his early career as a primary NHL center. It's a very diificult role to take on early in a player's NHL career, but he is battling through it with a gorgeous assist to Tyson Jost which started the Preds comeback after falking behind 2-0 to Seattle.

All of this to say that I'm not one of those that is judging success of this season based on making ghe playoffs or not getting roasted in the first round. My barometer is set on how these guys who are the future rally this team down the stretch. And also how Head Coach Andrew Brunette rallies tem, because that is vital to deciding his job security for 2026-27 with new front office leadership coming in to replace Barry Trotz.

The Predators are just one point back now of Seattle. It was a highly impactful win that spiked their pkayoff odds 10 percent according to MoneyPuck. This is very doable and wpukd be an amazing story to be celebrated by fans if the youth can play a vital role in returning to the Stankey Cup Playoffs.

And it's also so awesome to see the veterans pumping up the youth, especialky after the Ufko goal.

Ryan O'Reilly, who grabbed Ryan Ufko's first NHL goal puck for him last night, on the moment: “It took me a sec to clue in, because I was just like, ‘What just happened?’ ... That’s one of the nicest first goals I think I’ve ever seen." #Preds https://t.co/PVtVYAAWmd
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) March 11, 2026

Nashville Predators Leading Scorers Aged 25 and Younger

1. Luke Evangelista

Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators — Mar 2, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

9 goals, 38 assists, 48 points

2. Matthew Wood

Matthew Wood, Nashville Predators — Jan 31, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates with defenseman Roman Josi (59) after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

13 goals, 10 assists, 23 points

3. Adam Wilsby

Adam Wilsby, Nashville Predators — Feb 4, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points

4. Fedor Svechkov

Fedor Svechkov, Nashville Predators — Jan 17, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points

5. Reid Schaefer

Reid Schaefer, Nashville Predators — Jan 6, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Reid Schaefer (49) follows the play against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images | Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points

Keep an eye on how this list changes to close out the season. Sure, playoffs would be aweslme, but even if the kids ball out and the Preds fall short, I'll still call thus season a success compared to how it started and where we came from.