The Hockey News has released the yearly divisional projected rankings [https://thehockeynews.com/news/predicting-the-nhls-central-division-rankings-in-2024-25] and the Nashville Predators are getting the respect they deserve, ranking second behind only the Dallas Stars and ahead of the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators were learning a new system under head coach Andrew Brunette and it took half a season to establish. Once that happened, they were one of the very best in the NHL for the remainder of the season, going on an eight-game win streak and six-game win streak paired with an 18-game point streak. This got them into a playoff spot where the team belonged. Overall, the roster may have looked a bit weaker on paper, but the way the lines worked and the team succeeded continued to impress. The team went 47-30-5 (99 points), were 10th in goals for (269), and 13th in goals against (248). Looking at the team now, it has been a major transformation for the better. Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette speaks to the media following Nashville's 6-0 preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Sept. 28 at Bridgestone Arena. This off-season was one that will go down in Predators' franchise history as one of the best as the team signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady, Skjei, and re-signed Juuse Saros and Alexandre Carrier to multi-year deals. Stamkos is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, former captain, multi-time 50-goal scorer, and has over a point-per-game in his career with more than 1000 games played. Marchessault is a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe winner who is coming off a career year. Skjei is in his prime and coming off a career year as well. Saros is a franchise goalie that has finished in the top-6 of Vezina Trophy voting for four consecutive seasons, while Carrier is an underrated second pairing defenseman in his prime. Nashville has a legitimate top-6 and top-4, elite starter, and what should end up being a stellar power play. Before the big changes and weaker additions at the trade deadline in 2023-24, the team still qualified for the playoffs and finished eight points back of the Avalanche. This time things should be different and there is also a chance the Predators could take home the division. The Avalanche have the star power, but are prone to injuries, don't have nearly the level of depth the Predators have, and their starter, Alexandar Georgiev, had a sub-.900 SV% last season. Colorado will still be a playoff team, and a dangerous one at that, but the much-improved Predators are not only hunting for home-ice advantage in the playoffs, but success there as well on the road to their first Stanley Cup. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS Philip Tomasino Could Surprise & Earn 3rd Line Role on Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/philip-tomasino-could-surprise-earn-3rd-line-role-on-predators] Nashville Predators Have the Perfect Mix of Talent This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-have-the-perfect-mix-of-talent-this-season] Predators' Juuse Saros Jokes About Wanting to Score a Goal This Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-juuse-saros-jokes-about-wanting-to-score-a-goal-this-season] A Look at Tanner Molendyk's Options for 2024-25 as He Survives Latest Predators Roster Cuts [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/a-look-at-tanner-molendyks-options-for-2024-25-as-he-survives-latest-predators-roster-cuts]
