The Nashville Predators’ start to the 2024-25 season has been rough, with expectations unmet and a disappointing record of 5-9-2 in their first 16 games.
Despite spending big in the offseason to boost their roster, they find themselves at the bottom of the league standings. This raises questions about why they are struggling so much when their special teams have actually improved.
Their powerplay is ranked 11th with a 22.22% success rate, and they boast the second-best penalty kill at 90.91%. These numbers are better than last year’s playoff team stats, suggesting that something else is amiss.
Challenges on Ice:
While Nashville’s CorsiFor% stands at a decent 51.3%, indicating average puck control, their offensive generation isn’t translating into wins. They rank 15th in expected goals for (xGF) but struggle with high-danger chances, converting only 7.2% compared to opponents’ 11.9%.
Fans might wonder if these issues will derail their playoff hopes this season.
Another problem is their -20 axDiff (actual goal differential minus expected), highlighting poor conversion rates despite creating good scoring opportunities.
Possible Solutions:
One potential solution could be trading for Kyle Palmieri from the New York Islanders; he has a strong xGF of 14.0 this season and ranks high in scoring conversions. However, his age and contract situation may not offer long-term benefits.
Alternatively, Andrew Copp from Detroit Red Wings could help reduce opponents’ high-danger chances against them. But acquiring him involves navigating his hefty salary and no-trade list complications.
Detroit might consider trading Copp to make room for emerging talent like Vladimir Tarasenko or Marco Kasper while gaining cap space flexibility.
Defensive Woes:
Nashville’s defensive pair Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier have struggled significantly with a poor xGoals % of just 40.2%. Marcus Pettersson from Pittsburgh Penguins could be an option to strengthen their defense if available later this season as he leads his team in blocked shots despite playing alongside weaker partners defensively.
Final Thoughts:
There are many paths Nashville can take—waiting it out or making immediate trades—but time will tell if they can turn things around before it’s too late for playoffs dreams this year! What do you think?
