The Nashville Predators have released their 2025-26 regular season schedule and are already preparing for parking expenses at the Broadway garage. The season kicks off on October 9th, with the Predators hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena at 7 PM. Following a less-than-ideal finish last season, fans are hopeful for a rebound. Here are five key points to know about the Predators’ upcoming season.
Three former Predators will return to Nashville, while four current players will face their former teams on the road. Tribute videos will be a highlight both at home and away this season. Former Predators Thomas Novak, traded to Pittsburgh, will face Nashville on the road during the NHL Global Series in Sweden. Veteran Luke Shen, who joined Winnipeg at the trade deadline, will make his Nashville return after two seasons with the team. Defenseman Nicholas Hague, acquired from Vegas, will play against his old team, the Golden Knights, while Eric Haula, returning to New Jersey, will also face Nashville. March will be busy with returns, including fan-favorite Colton Sisson with Vegas, Jeremy Lauzon, Mark Del Gaizo with Montreal (expected to play with Laval Rockets), and Nick Purvics facing Tampa after signing with Nashville.
The Olympic schedule creates a compressed and challenging season for the Predators. There’s a 19-day league break from February 6-24, fitting in several games around this period. From December 23 to January 6, Nashville will embark on a demanding seven-game road trip, spanning 15 days, including the holidays. Last year’s similar trip ended with a tough 2-4 record. This time, the Predators face four playoff teams: Minnesota, St. Louis, Vegas, and Edmonton, along with Utah, Seattle, and Calgary. The team will also tackle 13 sets of back-to-back games starting October 13-14. The compressed schedule, with more games and shorter breaks, poses increased risks of fatigue and injury, making this a grind for all NHL teams. On a bright note, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros have been named as Olympic representatives, with the final game before the break facing Washington on February 5th.
Four notable games stand out for special reasons. The Predators will play overseas again on November 14 and 16, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, marking their second NHL Global Series. Their last European trip was in 2022, winning games against SC Bern and the San Jose Sharks in Prague. This trip is also a homecoming for natives Philip Forsberg, Andreas Englund, and Adam Wilsby. Back in the U.S., Nashville will host the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, on November 24th. Additionally, the team will face a crucial trade deadline matchup in Buffalo on March 7th, important for playoff positioning.
Fan Take: This schedule offers a thrilling blend of intense travel, high-stakes matchups, and significant player homecomings that create compelling storylines for hockey fans. The compressed format will test team resilience and strategy, potentially reshaping the season’s dynamics and adding excitement to every game.
