Nashville Predators Are Latest Team To Be Eliminated From Playoff Contention

4 days ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors  /  Read Time: 1 minute 25 seconds

Nothing could go right for the Nashville Predators this season after what was a very exciting offseason. There were some big changes that didn't land right away, and when some of the key additions started performing, it was too late. Injuries had taken hold of the roster and losses had already piled up too high.The Predators are the third team eliminated from playoff contention after the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. The positive if this situation is, though the core group is old, it remains intact and Nashville has three first-round picks, two second-round picks, and 10 draft picks in total this season.With injuries and trades, it has allowed some younger players to step in and show that they can be a part of the solution right now. Every team isn't going to have a perfect season every single year, and this was definitely a big blunder. The tools are all there for the Predators, who have two choices, to come back strong next season.Roman Josi might have started on the decline, but he is still a very good defenseman. Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault are past their primes, but they can contribute as well. The Predators are going to need big seasons moving forward from Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei, but also younger players to step into the spotlight and break out. I'm looking at Luke Evangelista as a prime target here.Juuse Saros has been one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL each of the past four seasons since taking over the starter role in Nashville, but this season has been a tough one for him and the team. He started great, but couldn't hang on and hold his team in the season for long.I don't expect all of those high draft picks to be used on players in the draft. Barry Trotz has a responsibility to fix what he did to the roster, and he hasn't been afraid of making trades since becoming a GM. It will be an interesting offseason and an important one to determine the direction of the team.Photo credit: © James Guillory-Imagn Images...

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