If Predators’ Struggles Continue, What Change Comes First?

The more the Nashville Predators lose and fall behind in the standings, the more pressure will be on the organization to do something in order to mix things up and give the team a spark.

Shuffling of lines, calling different players up, and even calling the team out hasn’t worked and Nashville is now 4-9-1 and sit dead last in the league through the first month of the season. While there is lots of time to turn things around, the season moves quickly for teams playing from behind.

If the Predators don’t start winning immediately, something more drastic than what we’ve already seen is going to happen. General manager Barry Trotz already indicated he’s preparing for a rebuild plan, whether that was to light a fire under the current players or he’s gearing up to make more changes.

Of the many possible changes that can happen, what comes first?

A coaching change may start to inch onto the table despite the great things Andrew Brunette did with the Predators last season and how good of a coach he is. If nothing is working and it gets bad, sometimes it’s easier to make a coaching change to spark the team than make a trade.

At this point, every player on the Predators has gotten a decent opportunity this season with the amount of changes, so everyone has gotten a chance and not necessarily done enough with it.

I don’t believe a rebuild means players like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Gustav Nyquist, and Ryan O’Reilly are going to be shipped off. The core, if you want to call it that, should be given more time and leeway. Trotz didn’t go out and spend this type of money to give up before the quarter mark of the first season.

Related: Struggling Predators Overwhelmed in 6-2 Loss to Panthers

What is likely is a sizable move is made to bring in a player or two that shakes things up. This would likely also see at least one player from the current roster be moved out.

The Predators have the assets to be able to pull off a lot of moves if other teams are willing. Trotz has been known to win trades in his short time as general manager. He needs to work some magic before thinking about a coaching change. This Predators roster is not where it needs to be to compete for a Stanley Cup, but it’s close.

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