Nashville Predators' Top 2024 Offseason Picks

The Nashville Predators know a thing or two about making a lot of noise in the offseason. Their impressive signings have definitely caught more media attention than the whole 2024 Stanley Cup Final considering that they have brought in multiple stars who are expected to boost the Predators’ chances of winning in the next season. But can they make it work en route to the campaign with the hopes of bringing a promising run compared to their previous seasons?

What to Expect from the Nashville Predators?

Since being added to the NHL in the 1998-99 season, the Nashville Predators have never won a single championship in the game. The team had its chance in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-2 series. Still, the years after that proved to be somewhat a mix of disappointment and promise from the team, being able to come up with impressive playoff appearances in six of the last seven seasons. Their most recent playoff appearance came in a first-round exit to the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-2 loss.

The Predators have always missed their winning shot in the Stanley Cup Final image

The Predators have learned a lot about playing to their strengths in 16 playoff appearances, and it cannot be denied that the team’s sudden moves in the offseason proved to be quite a big shift in their focus. In just a snap, the Predators went on to come up with a lot of impressive strides in the game, bringing in massive talents who could actually make an impact on both ends of the rink.

Predators Fans are hopeful for the coming NHL season image

So far, the Predators made a jump from just contending in the Playoffs for years all the way to being a championship team that has what it takes to come up with a deeper run. Who knows? Maybe Nashville can now deliver a promising run that can actually see them at the top of the NHL world – maybe even a shot at the Stanley Cup Final for the second time around as well.

Who are the Big Additions for the Nashville Predators?

The Predators are known well for being a team that has stayed in playoff contention at a consistent level, but it is worth noting that Nashville’s acquisitions offer an impressive chance for the team to deliver a deeper run in the playoffs now more than ever. But who are the big additions that the team has acquired in a short period of time in the 2024 offseason?

Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos image

Steven Stamkos was a massive signing after the Predators brought him in with a 4-year deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning did not offer any extension deals to Stamkos, who won two Stanley Cups with the team and served as the team captain. At the age of 34, the forward still packs a punch, finishing with a total of 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists) in 79 games last season and six points (five goals, one assist) in five playoff games. That says a lot about the impact that he brings to the table for the Predators, who are known well for utilizing elite forwards in their roster.

For those who don’t know, Stamkos is a winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals in a season twice (51 in 2009-10, and 60 in 2011-12) and helped the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. In 16 seasons with Tampa Bay, Stamkos has been quite the promising star that many fans have loved over the years. Now that he comes in with a new groove with the Predators, it cannot be denied that he has the best chance to secure yet another league title if Nashville plays its cards well.

Jonathan Marchessault

The 2023 Conn Smythe Stanley Cup Final MVP didn’t enjoy a promising run in the previous playoffs after the Vegas Golden Knights were ousted in the first round of the Playoffs. Marchessault went on to sign a five-year deal worth $27.5 million with the Predators after Vegas failed to offer him a promising deal. The star had 69 points (42 goals, 27 assists) in 82 games last season and four points (two goals, two assists) in seven playoff games. All in all, Marchessault has tallied 487 points (230 goals, 257 assists) in 638 regular-season games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Lightning, Florida Panthers and Golden Knights, and 76 points (36 goals, 40 assists) in 102 playoff games.

Jonathan Marchessault image

Marchessault comes in as another veteran star who is still playing at the top of his game, much like Stamkos. The former Vegas star brings in a promising spark on the offensive end with his impressive drives in the game. Scoring is never an issue for Marchessault – who could do well with a couple of star players in the Predators’ squad who can take off the heat in terms of passing lanes and even in power plays, something that Marchessault is an efficient player at.

Brady Skjei

Brady Skjei image

The former Carolina Hurricanes star Brady Skjei is also considered to be a massive signing for the Predators this season, who has been quite the reserve at the back for the line. At the age of 30, Skjei has evolved into an elite scorer in the game with scores of an NHL career-high 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 80 games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season and nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 11 playoff games. For his career, the defenseman has really improved his massive game with 247 points (68 goals, 179 assists) in 609 regular-season games for the Hurricanes and Rangers, and 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 76 playoff games.

Adding Skjei to the defensive line brings a massive upgrade to the squad, who has been signed into a $49 million deal for seven years. The Predators’ defense was ranked 14th last season in goals allowed per game, and Skjei’s size, speed, and skill make him quite the reliable two-way player who can disrupt passing lanes with his size. At this point, Skjei’s impressive defensive rating makes him reliable in coming up with a lot of valuable minutes in clutch moments.

Can the Nashville Predators Win the Stanley Cup Next Season?

At this point, it is never easy to come up with a prediction as to how the Predators can actually finish the coming season with a bang. However, given how well their additions look on paper, it is easy to say that the Predators can actually find their way to the upper echelon of the league. Considering how well their additions can turn out to be contributors to massive victories at the end of the day, it cannot be denied that there is indeed a huge chance that the Preds can actually make their move to the Stanley Cup now more than ever.

Make sure to stay on top of the hottest news in the NHL and the rest of the sports world! Here at GambleSpot, we come up with the best news, blogs, game analyses, tournament previews, game predictions, betting guides, and many other sports-related content that you can use to come up with informed betting decisions and a shot at handsome rewards!