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These players are the Most Improved for the Surging Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators had really nowhere to go but up after their 68-point campaign in 2024-25, but they are looking like a much improved squad over the past month.
ByChad Minton|
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Dec 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates a goal with left wing Filip Forsberg (9) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates a goal with left wing Filip Forsberg (9) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues v Nashville Predators | Casey Gower/GettyImages

Is it finally "Stammer Time" in Smashville?

We never saw Steven Stamkos make this noticeable of an impact on the Predators in Year 1. He still put up some decent stats and wasn't a complete ghost, but this season he is clearly creating a positive ripple affect throughout the lineup.

Stamkos leads the NHL in game-winning goal with six, including an incredible three-straight games with the game-winner. He's making his linemates better around him, and especially while playing with the youth like the previously mentioned Matthew Wood.

After scoring the gorgeous overtime winner against Minnesota to send us into the Christmas break, Stamkos told the ESPPN broadcast about how this team is starting to build something after suffering through a slow start:

"“We're starting to believe here. This group has obviously gone through a lot of adversity the past year and a bit. We didn't have the start that we wanted to this season, but the growth is there and guys are starting to believe. ""
Per Brooks Bratten

The biggest improvement I see in Stamkos from Year 1 with the Predators to Year 2 is his impact on the rest of the team. He looks way more comfortable in Andrew Brunette's system and has a more clearly defined role.

Stamkos is doing all of this while bouncing around the lineup with different linemates. He hasn't played more than 83 minutes with the same line combination, per MoneyPuck. Those two linemates are Erik Haula at center and the currently injured Jonathan Marchessault.

The next most common line combination for Stamkos has been with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly. He has also spent almost 30 minutes on a line of Fedor Svechkov and Matthew Wood. The point being, Stamkos has had to be flexible, and yet he's still putting up way better offensive number than Year 1.

Stamkos is on pace for a 34-goal season, which would be satisfactory from a guy who is about to turn 36. His leadership is something that you can't measure in a box score, and this is where I see him benefiting the Predators more than anything right now.

There is still a chance Stamkos could be traded as he continues to raise his trade value and show he's a difference-maker in clutch situations. Playoff contenders are going to be dialing up Trotz's number leading up to the trade deadline.

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