The Nashville Predators’ 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent memory. After a disastrous 2024-25 campaign that saw them plummet from Stanley Cup contenders to a lottery team, the pressure is on to right the ship. But before we can even think about the playoffs, there are two massive questions that need to be answered.
Will a Healthy Roman Josi Be Enough to Save the Predators?
Let’s not mince words: the Predators are a different team without a healthy Roman Josi. The captain’s diagnosis of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome was a devastating blow, and his absence was felt every single night. Josi says he’s on track to be ready for training camp, and for the Predators’ sake, he’d better be.
A healthy Josi is a Norris Trophy candidate and the engine that drives this team. But at 35, and with a serious health condition now a part of his reality, can he return to the elite level we’ve come to expect? The Predators’ entire season could hinge on the answer.
The Ghosts of Last Season: Can the Predators Find Their Identity?
The additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Skjei were supposed to make the Predators a powerhouse. Instead, they looked disjointed and uninspired for most of last season. The team struggled to score, gave up too many goals, and never seemed to find the chemistry that’s so crucial for success in the NHL.
Stamkos himself admitted the season was a “one-off,” but the doubt will linger until this team proves otherwise. This year, it’s not just about talent; it’s about finding an identity and playing with the kind of desperation that was so sorely lacking last season.
The Road to Redemption: The Predators Pre-Season Schedule 2025-26
The Predators will have a chance to answer some of these questions during a grueling pre-season schedule that will see them face off against some of the league’s top teams. Here’s a look at the full schedule:
- Sunday, September 21, 2025: vs. Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville (3:00 PM EDT & 7:00 PM EDT)
- Tuesday, September 23, 2025: vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville (8:00 PM EDT)
- Saturday, September 27, 2025: at Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena, Tampa (7:00 PM EDT)
- Sunday, September 28, 2025: at Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center, Raleigh (7:00 PM EDT)
- Saturday, October 4, 2025: vs. Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville (4:00 PM EDT)
This pre-season will be a crucial test for the Predators. It’s a chance to build chemistry, test out new line combinations, and, most importantly, prove that last season was indeed a “one-off.”
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The post The Two Burning Questions That Will Define the Nashville Predators’ 2025-26 Season appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
