Predators Rumors: Nashville On Hunt For Players Under 25

Spencer Stastney, former Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are on a clear path to rebuilding and tearing it all down, much like the Chicago Blackhawks did before getting lucky with Connor Bedard and what the San Jose Sharks did, trading or moving on from all of their old core and old regime.

The Predators need this. Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, and Juuse Saros are three great pieces to have, but the team hasn't been built well around them and they missed their shot at a Stanley Cup because the door slammed shut last offseason after the three big additions.

Everyone knows how bad things have been for Nashville after expectations were so high, but after another attempt this season that has gone poorly, it's time to pack things in and shop. It will start with players like Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos, but will likely eventually get to the core three I mentioned above.

What may have gotten the ball rolling was trading Spencer Stastney to the Edmonton Oilers for a third round pick in 2027. This is a future for a 25-year-old defenseman and Barry Trotz, GM of the Predators, explained that the team traded Stastney in an effort to bring younger players, specifically forwards, up to Nashville.

Luke Evangelista, 23 year old, has solidified himself as a top-6 player, but Fedor Svechkov, Matthew Wood, and newly called up (8 NHL games) Reid Schaefer are all in the top-9 and doing fine. These are draft picks or higher picks that are starting to pan out, but more should be making their way up soon. This includes prospects like Joakim Kemell, Zachary L'Heureux, Cole O'Hara, Tanner Molendyk, and Ryan Ufko.

All of those players are younger than Stastney, including both Ozzy Weisblatt and Justin Barron who are on the IR. But along with young, Nashville needs effective and players who have potential and value as well. Beyond Josi and Brady Skjei, the other four d-men in the lineup are 27 years old or younger. Ideally, Molendyk, Barron, and Ufko are the future on the blueline, along with unsigned Cameron Reid, but it's clear the Predators are looking to get younger and more inexperienced to give their young players experience, see what they have, and plan for the future.