On November 24, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee, the Predators defenseman Roman Josi, aged 59, was seen skating with the puck during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. The Nashville Predators have hit a rough patch, losing eight of their last nine games, leaving head coach Andrew Brunette searching for solutions. With each defeat, finding answers becomes increasingly challenging.
Following an 8-3 loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, Brunette expressed frustration over the team’s inconsistency throughout the season, citing mental errors and a lack of will as key issues. Despite outshooting and outscoring the Panthers in recent periods, Nashville’s mental mistakes have been costly, with early goals against them in the last two games demoralizing the team.
General manager Barry Trotz criticized the players for not showing enough effort and emphasized the need for more scoring, pointing to key players like Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault. Yet, the Predators’ scoring average has declined, ranking last in the NHL this season. The defensive struggles were equally apparent, with goaltenders Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen allowing many goals.
Players themselves are struggling to explain the team’s poor performance, with captain Roman Josi admitting the effort was lacking. Tensions among players have risen, highlighted by an incident during practice where Ryan O’Reilly reacted harshly after a teammate scored. O’Reilly also openly criticized the team’s passing in a post-game interview, later apologizing for his outburst.
The raw emotions reflect the high-pressure environment, but they haven’t translated into better play. If the Predators continue downward, Trotz may have no choice but to make significant roster changes, despite reluctance to rebuild. The team’s veteran-heavy lineup and large contracts complicate any quick fixes, signaling a potentially prolonged rebuilding phase.
Winning and losing streaks deeply impact team morale and fan enthusiasm. If the Predators’ struggles persist, the passion among fans is likely to fade, making it harder for players to maintain their drive night after night. With 60 games left in the regular season, Nashville faces a challenging road ahead.
Fan Take: This ongoing slump is a tough moment for Nashville hockey fans but also a compelling storyline for the NHL. It highlights how even established teams with star players can face tough rebuilds, reminding us that success in hockey is never guaranteed and makes the sport’s comebacks all the more exciting to watch.
