The narrow window is short for Nashville to contend for a Stanley Cup is now
By Anthony Pellegrino @apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
BOSTON--If you're one of the counted lucky, sixteen NHL teams to count themselves in for the playoffs at the end of an 82-game season in April, there's a long road to lift the Stanley Cup. Four rounds over the span of two months, one of the most grueling events--both mentally and physically, known in modern-day sports.
Since Nashville's inaugural season in 1999, the franchise has secured a playoff spot in sixteen out of 25 total seasons. Even still, only one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. A game six loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017, which some to this day, still believe "the goal" by Predators veteran Colton Sissons, was a "good goal".
They've never been one of, "the lucky ones", in fact, 22 of the current teams in the NHL have a Stanley Cup victory somewhere in their history. For the other ten, it's a yearly chase to lift the oldest trophy that can be won by professional athletes in North America; for the first time.
After analyzing Barry Trotz's offseason moves, it's clear what his goal is: to win a Stanley Cup.
The offseason moves showed the common goal with the new additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. All three are 30 or over, with long-term experience in the league, it's evident they have an idea of what it will take Nashville to win.
Steven Stamkos, 34, has appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals on four separate occasions. He's won it all twice. 50 goals and 51 assists have been tallied by the Ontario, CAN native; through his NHL postseason career in 128 games played.
The veteran is 34 years old; 38 when the contract expires. He knows, this contract signed with Nashville, one of the biggest free agent signings in the offseason, will likely be his last.
Jonathan Marchessault is just one year younger than Stamkos. Another veteran acquired during the offseason by Trotz has played nine full seasons in the NHL, including 638 regular season games.
He chose Nashville in free agency, due to the fact they've reminded him time and time again, how similar they feel to the inaugural season Golden Knights, from the 2017-2018 season.
They advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals that season.
"I think I see a little bit of misfit in the Preds, to be honest,” he said. “Just with the way they played last year, their hard-nosed mentality, wearing things down and all that – I think it’s something I saw playing against them. They reminded me last year of my first year as a Golden Knight. It’s a good thing. Hopefully, the new guys can come in and help the team to get a championship. That’s the goal here.”
The last veteran acquired by the Predators this offseason was Brady Skjei. The defenseman out of Lakeville, Minnesota, has played the past eight seasons in the NHL, between the New York Rangers, and Carolina Hurricanes.
The former first-round pick (28th overall) by New York, is in for the long haul with Nashville. He signed a seven-year, $49 million dollar contract with the Predators when free agency opened.
The Top Guys-Time's running out:
The longtime NHL veteran Ryan O'Reilly knows his window for a second Stanley Cup is closing in. He's 33 years old, and on the second year of his four-year deal with Nashville, signed in the offseason of 2023. Once this contract expires, it's likely the end of a prosperous career in the NHL.
Gustav Nyquist, 35, could be considered by some, ancient to NHL standards. The forward has been in the NHL since the 2011-2012 season. Yet even at 34 last season, he posted his best season in the NHL on paper, with a staggering 75 points in 81 games played. This season will be the last on his two-year deal with Nashville, and likely, his last before retirement.
Two-time Stanley Cup Champion Steven Stamkos signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Nashville this summer. He will be 38 years old when it expires. It's evident, this very well could be Stamkos' final years in the NHL. Even still, he had his seventh 40-goal season last year with Tampa. A viable asset to Nashville, even more so when playoffs come around.
The Knights's all-time leader in goals (514), assists (192), and points (417), thought he'd remain a Knight the rest of his career. When Jonathan Marchessault realized Vegas and he didn't see eye to eye; Nashville came calling, and Marchessault answered. Inking a four-year deal with Nashville, it's e this is the last contract of his career. The veteran is 33 years old right now, 37 when the contract expires.
The icon of the city, captain for years; Roman Josi has become the face of the franchise in Nashville. The star defenseman will play in his fourteenth NHL season, starting next month. Age isn't a testament to Josi's time, as he still seems to improve his play year after year. Even still-it's still rare to see a player play beyond 40. A farewell run could be on the horizon for Josi within the next five years, so Nashville will have to use him while they can.
The Predators Training Camp gets underway at Ford Ice Center Bellevue on Thursday. Click here to view the full Training Camp roster and click here to view the full schedule.
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