Two years ago at this time, the Nashville Predators were the talk of the NHL signing a trio of high-profile free agents and assuming the expectations that came with it. In short, 2024-25 was a train wreck from opening night.
Last season didn't start much better before a late push got the Predators into a spot in late March before falling short at the finish.
After an aggressive off-season by new team President/GM Chris MacFarland improved team depth considerably, the expectations have returned.
Head coach Andrew Brunette joins Neil and Vic to discuss a pivotal season coming up in Music City.
There's also some league news to catch up on as a former villain in Montreal signs with the Canadiens and the effect that has on the Anaheim Ducks.
IN THIS EPISODE
[01:18] - Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is welcomed to the show with a quick look back to the Game 7 overtime goal he scored for Minnesota in Colorado in 2003, a goal which was the last surrendered by Patrick Roy in his brilliant NHL career.
[02:53] - A seventh-round pick in both junior hockey and in the NHL, Brunette comments on a career spanning over 1100 games with a half dozen organizations including Nashville and twice with Minnesota.
[06:25] - The aspiration to be a head coach amidst having assumed several front office roles with Minnesota upon retirement as a player in 2013.
[11:02] - After taking over Florida for Joel Quenneville early in the 2021-22 season, Brunette leads the Panthers to the Presidents' Trophy and is a coach of the year finalist, yet is replaced. As opposed to accepting a front office position with Florida, he opts to join New Jersey as an associate coach in order to remain behind the bench.
[13:16] - The call from Nashville to be the head coach and what could have been in the Predators opening round series with Vancouver in 2024.
[15:53] - The summer of 2024. Three high-profile free agent signings came with equally high expectations for the Predators. Brunette candidly speaks about the difficulty of that season from its very outset.
[19:20] - 2025-26 started much like the season before. However, things eventually began to kick in and the team just fell short of the playoffs after finding themselves in a spot in late March. Brunette credits then-GM Barry Trotz for helping him grow through two challenging seasons.
[22:16] - Just as there was a transition two years ago with new players, there comes another one with Chris MacFarland coming over from Colorado to replace Trotz.
[24:05] - With MacFarland making a quick impression with numerous acquisitions, the feeling with this new group and the experience of two seasons ago that prepares Brunette for the expectation this time around.
[26:46] - What fans can expect to see when the Predators are on their game.
[29:14] - Wrapping up the discussion with Andrew Brunette and other league news including Chris Kreider's arrival in Montreal, a controversial signing in Edmonton, a former captain headed to Red Wings training camps and a couple of retirements.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
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