It's never too early to start thinking about the regular season. After a disappointing finish to the 2024-25 regular season, the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] are looking to bounce back and prove that last year was a "fluke." Here are five early, bold predictions for the Predators this season. STEVEN STAMKOS WILL ECLIPSE AT LEAST 70 POINTS Mar 14, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) skates against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4b55bfb2-e886-4ca2-811e-5135e3656a16.jpeg] Mar 14, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) skates against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Sun-Imagn Images Last season was the first time since his rookie year that Steven Stamkos [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/players/5-nashville-predators-that-have-most-to-prove-for-2025-26-season] failed to surpass 60 points while playing 60 or more games. In his first season as a Predator, he had 53 points in 82 games, a 28-point fall off from the previous season. Heading into his second year of a four-year, $32 million contract, the Predators expect Stamkos to power this offense. At 35 years old, turning 36 in February, he is getting older, but should have one good year left in him. While 60 points seems like a more realistic goal, this is Steven Stamkos we're talking about. The feeling of "needing to prove something" will also impact Stamkos, and he'll respond with at least 70 points this season. With Jonathan Marchessault and Filip Forsberg on the wings, and now having an established chemistry, Stamkos should have no issue meeting 60 and pushing for 70. NICK PERBIX WILL BE A TOP 3 DEFENSEMAN Nick Perbix speaks to local media after signing with the Nashville Predators during free agency on July 8, 2025. Jack Williams/The Hockey News In my opinion, Nick Perbix [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/defenseman-nick-perbix-confident-nashville-predators-will-be-a-different-team-from-last-season] was a better pull for the Predators than Nicolas Hague [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/newly-signed-nashville-predators-defenseman-nic-hague-wants-to-add-offensive-depth-to-own-game]. He hasn't played as many games as Hague, but in two full NHL seasons, Perbix has proven to be more impactful on the ice than Hague. He had 24 points in the 2023-24 season and 19 points in the 2024-25 season, averaging 15 penalty minutes across both seasons, and was plus/minus eight in both seasons. Perbix also hits without getting sent to the box, which is what the Predators need as a physically driven team. Just look his name up on YouTube and see the clips of him leveling opponents, including Brady Tkachuk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT6ja6VWWlM], and the referee's arm doesn't go up. With Roman Josi and Brady Skjei being the Predators' two most active defensemen, Perbix really fills out the third spot in that rotation. He is someone who has shown signs of taking that next step. PREDATORS WILL SURPASS 45 FIGHTS; TOP 3 IN PENALTY MINUTES Apr 9, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) hits Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) during a fight in the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7c2ff2bc-73f4-4781-a517-d22ebf530399.jpeg] Apr 9, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) hits Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) during a fight in the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images With Barry Trotz back in the organization and the pace of growth slowly beginning to increase since the 2023-24 season, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/analysis-how-important-is-fighting-to-nashville-predators-team-identity] it is expected to take another jump this season, reaching up to 45. This past year, the Predators had a four-fight increase from the previous season, from 33 to 37 fights, and led the league in this category. A safe bet is 40 or 41, just because of the math of it, but it'll take a bigger jump for a few reasons. Michael McCarron's [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/quarter-of-nashville-predators-penalty-minutes-were-for-fighting-led-nhl-in-dropping-the-gloves]fighting numbers continue to rise, as he had nine last season and eight the season before. He'll not only eclipse double figures, but spring into third place for most career fights in franchise history with 37. Cole Smith (six fights in 24-25), Zach L'Heureux (four fights on 24-25) and Andreas Enguland (four fights in 24-25) will also put up higher numbers this coming season. Add Hague into that mix, who had four fights last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, and you can expect the Predators to be dropping the gloves a lot. LUKE EVANGELISTA WILL STAY IN NASHVILLE, HAVE BREAKOUT SEASON Mar 25, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c3620c2e-1e48-419a-84ea-0d01581910d9.jpeg] Mar 25, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Some of the loudest chatter from the offseason has been whether Luke Evangelista [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-qualifying-offer-to-luke-evangelista-expires-tuesday] will resign with the Predators. He reached the end of his entry-level contract and did not sign the Predators' original offer at the start of free agency within the 15-day window. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-qualifying-offer-to-luke-evangelista-expires-tuesday]It's unknown whether the Predators extended the deadline or re-offered, but Trotz has stated that Evangelista's management didn't like the length of the contract. If Evangelista passes on the offer, he'd become a restricted free agent, meaning that the Predators own his negotiating rights. However, considering Trotz has called Evangelista "the future" [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/fixing-defense-was-focus-for-trotz-nashville-predators-in-free-agency] and he is starting to bloom with the Predators, I don't see how a deal wouldn't get done. The Predators have more than enough cap space to re-sign him and will likely agree to a contract in the ballpark of three to five years. Evangelista will continue to progress on the ice and provide Nashville with the needed spark along the edges, scoring 40 to 45 points. Centered by Ryan O'Reilly, Evangelista will be a force this season. PREDATORS WILL QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS AS A WILD CARD Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators celebrate the win against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/68e9883b-ce54-4eb0-afd6-c0e28fd7a1b2.jpeg] Apr 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators celebrate the win against the Dallas Stars during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images I don't think the Predators will dominate the Central Division this season, but they will likely have a bounce-back year. With the mentality of proving that last season was a "fluke," the Predators will find their flow and start playing up to their expectations. There's proven talent on this roster, and it may have just needed an aggressive push to get going. Nashville will be in the mix for a No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the Central Division, but considering the depth of the division and this group needing to establish a winning identity, I think a wild-card one or two is a fitting spot. The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues took the final Wild Card spots in the West, but I think Nashville can get into that mix. However, if this falls apart again, it will be time for a rebuild. This much talent on a roster not working, for a second straight year, will need some serious fixing.
