Just about everything that could go wrong went wrong in Steven Stamkos' first year as a member of the . What began as a slow start dragged out the entire season, resulting in a dismal 30-44-8 record, good for 30th place in the overall league standings. Stamkos, like everyone else in Nashville, had his struggles, producing at the lowest point per game rate since he was a rookie in 2008-09, having tallied 53 points (27 goals, 26 a sists) in 82 games on the campaign. While some believe the Predators are due for a bounce back in 2025-26, doesn't feel it will be good enough to return to contention, which will ultimately result in Stammer getting dealt to the , helping them push for a Stanley Cup. "The Preds will improve, but not to the point where Nashville is firmly back in Mike Reilly Jersey the playoff picture. With a mutual acknowledgment that the experiment didnt work, Stamkos will chase another title by joining a Canes team that needs more scoring to get over the hump," Dixon wrote. Reasonable takes on what is going to happen in the 2025-26 season are all around us. But how about spicy predictions of things that might actually happen? is here to add a double dose of hot sauce. Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) The 35-year-old Stamkos is about to begin the second season of the four-year, $32 million contract he signed to join the Predators as a UFA in 2024. Pivotal year for Nashville There is a lot riding on the 2025-26 season for the Nashville Predators, and another poor showing could lead to big changes. General manager Barry Trotz seems insistent on giving his core group the opportunity to prove last year was an outlier, but if things don't improve during this second chance, he could be forced to make uncomfortable decisions. Stamkos is among the veterans who could be a part of that, though until then, he'll continue to be relied upon atop the lineup in hopes of a rebound season. He and the Predators will look to get off to a much better start this time around, beginning with Thursday night's home opener against the . Jean-gabriel Pageau Jersey
Just about everything that could go wrong went wrong in Steven Stamkos' first year as a member of the . What began as a slow start dragged out the entire season, resulting in a dismal 30-44-8 record, good for 30th place in the overall league standings. Stamkos, like everyone else in Nashville, had his struggles, producing at the lowest point per game rate since he was a rookie in 2008-09, having tallied 53 points (27 goals, 26 a sists) in 82 games on the campaign. While some believe the Predators are due for a bounce back in 2025-26, doesn't feel it will be good enough to return to contention, which will ultimately result in Stammer getting dealt to the , helping them push for a Stanley Cup. "The Preds will improve, but not to the point where Nashville is firmly back in Mike Reilly Jersey the playoff picture. With a mutual acknowledgment that the experiment didnt work, Stamkos will chase another title by joining a Canes team that needs more scoring to get over the hump," Dixon wrote. Reasonable takes on what is going to happen in the 2025-26 season are all around us. But how about spicy predictions of things that might actually happen? is here to add a double dose of hot sauce. Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) The 35-year-old Stamkos is about to begin the second season of the four-year, $32 million contract he signed to join the Predators as a UFA in 2024. Pivotal year for Nashville There is a lot riding on the 2025-26 season for the Nashville Predators, and another poor showing could lead to big changes. General manager Barry Trotz seems insistent on giving his core group the opportunity to prove last year was an outlier, but if things don't improve during this second chance, he could be forced to make uncomfortable decisions. Stamkos is among the veterans who could be a part of that, though until then, he'll continue to be relied upon atop the lineup in hopes of a rebound season. He and the Predators will look to get off to a much better start this time around, beginning with Thursday night's home opener against the . Jean-gabriel Pageau Jersey