Analyzing Predators Trade Rumors and Cole Smith's Contract Extension
Plus: How the Predators Can Fix Cody Glass' Broken Season, Nashville's Biggest Playoff Threats & More
Welcome to the THW Nashville Predators Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Predators writers.
In today's edition, we look at the latest trade rumors involving the Predators, Cole Smith’s contract extension, Cody Glass’ broken season and more.
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Now, on to the good stuff!
NHL Rumors: Penguins, Oilers, Predators, Blue Jackets
January 26, 2024 by Jim Parsons
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, should the Pittsburgh Penguins be thinking about trading Sidney Crosby? One analyst believes the team owes it to Crosby to consider a move. Meanwhile, how much have the trade deadline plans for the Edmonton Oilers changed? Will the Nashville Predators let the players decide their own fate at the NHL Trade Deadline? Finally, are the Columbus Blue Jackets willing to listen to trade offers for Patrik Laine and Ivan Provorov?
Predators, Cole Smith Mutually Benefit from Contract Extension
January 26, 2024 by Emma Lingan
When Nashville Predators’ team practice concluded on Thursday (Jan. 25), the players didn’t head straight to the locker room. Instead, they formed a circle at center ice, as Cole Smith skated a lap around them to the tune of cheers and thunderous stick taps. There was cause to celebrate, after all – general manager Barry Trotz announced on Wednesday that the Predators had signed the 28-year-old forward to a two-year, $2 million contract that will begin in the 2024-25 season.
“We’re really happy for him,” teammate Luke Evangelista said of Smith. “He works really hard. He’s a great guy to be around, the kind of guy you want to be teammates with.”
5 Teams That Could Steal Predators’ Playoff Spot
January 25, 2024 by Jordan Slompo
After 47 games, the Nashville Predators currently hold the fourth position in the Central Division and would secure the first wild-card spot if the regular season were to end now.
With a little over half of the race to the playoffs completed, it’s possible to analyze the standings and get a sense of each team’s situation, including injuries, trades, and other factors. That’s why we’ve identified five teams that pose a real threat to the Predators’ playoff spot for the 2024 Postseason.
Predators News & Rumors: Pärssinen, Smith & More
January 24, 2024 by Emma Lingan
Despite losing three of their last four games, the Nashville Predators are still clinging to the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They will look to tighten their grip on that spot this week as they face challenging road tests against Central Division rival Minnesota on Thursday (Jan. 25) and red-hot Edmonton on Saturday (Jan. 27). In the meantime, let’s get to the latest news and rumors.
The Predators were outshot 38-27, including by a 14-4 margin in the first period, and turned the puck over 22 times en route to a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday at Bridgestone Arena. It was their third loss in their last four games and their 12th loss of the season on home ice.
Nashville Predators’ First-Half Roller Coaster Ride
January 24, 2024 by Jordan Slompo
The NHL has reached the halfway point of the season. With half of the race toward the playoffs behind us, this is a time to analyze the trajectory of the Nashville Predators, outline a panorama of everything that has happened, and speculate on what might happen going forward.
What are the key factors for success, or what has been decisive for the team’s failure so far? Statistically speaking, it’s a fact that the Predators are experiencing a kind of roller coaster where highs and lows have been frequent throughout the season. Additionally, trade rumors and uncertainties, but also joys and positive results, are part of the mid-season package for Nashville. Keep reading to find out everything up to this point.
How the Predators Can Fix Cody Glass’ Broken Season
January 24, 2024 by Emma Lingan
This is not how this season was supposed to go for Cody Glass.
The 24-year-old center was riding high heading into the 2023-24 campaign. In his first full season at the NHL level last year, he amassed 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 72 games with the Nashville Predators, all career highs. He was also second on the Predators in power-play goals with six, another career-high. He then went on to represent Canada at the 2023 World Championship, where he posted four assists in 10 games en route to the gold medal.
Glass signed a two-year, $5 million contract over the offseason with the expectation that he would build upon last season’s success and be able to slot in behind Ryan O’Reilly as the team’s No. 2 center. But 47 games in, his season can be summed up in one word: broken.