Episode
Summer Coolers – Nashville Predators
- Podcast
- NHL Wraparound Podcast
- Published
- Sep 13, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 360
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Summer Coolers – Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators may finally be positioned to make the run many expected two years ago. After finishing sixth in the Central with 86 points, Nashville enters 2026-27 with Chris MacFarland reshaping the roster through one of the NHL’s more aggressive offseasons. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Maverick Bourque, Ilya Lyubushkin and several other additions give the Predators considerably more depth. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren see another major storyline developing: Andrew Brunette may now have to prove to his new GM that he deserves to remain Nashville’s head coach. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] Nashville finishes sixth in the Central, 10th in the Western Conference and 23rd overall with 86 points. [00:00:20] Neil and Vic revisit the enormous expectations surrounding Nashville two years earlier after the Predators signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. [00:00:45] Those headline additions never produced the results many expected, but Neil believes this offseason feels different. [00:01:00] New GM Chris MacFarland adds what Neil calls “real meat to the bone,” strengthening the existing roster rather than attempting to completely rebuild it. [00:01:20] MacFarland immediately targets players he knows well, including Ross Colton and Jack Drury from his previous organization in Colorado. [00:01:35] The pressure now shifts toward Andrew Brunette. Neil believes the coach must demonstrate to MacFarland that he deserves to remain behind the Nashville bench. [00:01:55] Nashville improved by 18 points last season and briefly pushed into playoff position before fading down the stretch. [00:02:00] MacFarland raids his former organization, adding Colton, Drury and defenseman Jack Ahcan from Colorado. [00:02:20] Nashville acqui…