The Nashville Predators have established several rivalries in 28-season history, and heading into their 29th, and one in particular is too closely contested...to close.
Since 1998, the Predators hold a 67-59-4-7 record against Central Division rival St. Louis Blues. In the last five season, they have a 9-10 losing record against them, including a notorious 0-4 stretch in the 2024-25 campaign. Last season left was a strong comeback effort, going 3-1 and having some of the best games of the entire season.
This offseason was a strong one for the Predators, and it has the chance to potentially help them take an edge against the Blues. However, an even stronger offseason from the Blues could be enough to tip the iceberg in their favor.
St. Louis lost Kyrou, but retained more in return
The Predators prioritized depth and middle-six improvements while the Blues focused on improving their top six and top defensive pairing.
Perhaps their biggest move was trading away forward Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals. Kyrou emerged as the team's top winger, scoring three straight 30-goal campaigns through 2022-23 and 2024-25. Averaging a career-average 13.2-shooting percentage.
After both sides mutually agreed to part ways in June, following a shrunken 46-point season in 2025-26, the Blues traded Kyrou to Washington to acquire assets; these assets proved to be very beneficial.
In return, they got forward Connor McMichael, a 2025 prospect, and the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Perhaps the biggest piece from the haul was McMichael. Last season he put up 14 goals and 46 points. While he isn't a better goalscorer than Kyrou was, he still holds a crucial role, being a highly versatile two-way game. He has good skating and off-puck game, which will help boost the Blues -27 goal differential from last season.
They also added forward Mason McTavish, who is a strong power forward. He's scored four-straight 40-point seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. Against the Predators, he is a threat, as he's scored five goals and 11 points in 12 career games against them. Having him at center alongside the likes of McMichael, Jake Neighbors or Pavel Buchnevich could be a recipe for disaster for the Predators defense.
On the topic of defense, the Blues also acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the low price of two third round picks. He is a shutdown blueliner at heart, and his 6'5" 227-pound frame solidifies that. He had the team's second highest plus/minus rating with +4. He isn't a puck mover, but he'll make sure the play stays out of his team's zone.
First look at the Blues projected lineup after acquiring Connor McMichael from Washington.https://t.co/pa3Lka3y2l
— NHL Rosters (@NHL_Rosters) June 23, 2026
What this means for Nashville
St. Louis just got a whole lot deeper in terms of skill. Last season, they departed from Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk and focused on prospect development on guys like Theo Lindstein and Otto Stenburg.
Now with a tighter core, they can combine the high-level, talented new additions alongside some of the better prospects that shined in the spring. The Predators will have to face more experienced, talented veterans. It will make matchups more difficult upfront.
However, with new additions to their depth and middle six, they can potentially compete with this new Blues team. Mavrik Bourque can help continue to make the second line a league-wide threat, while Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Alex Kerfoot and Nils Hoglander make the bottom six the team's strong suit.
Nashville will host the first two of four matchups against St. Louis this season, doing so on Oct. 17 and Nov. 7. This season-opening stretch can prove to be crucial, as either side will work to develop new team chemistry with the new guys. If the Predators can continue their high-goal scoring attitude like they have been against the Blues, this series should be no problem.
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