Subban: Predators are 'For Real,' Likely to Upset a 'Major Team' in Playoffs

"If I'm a team in the West, I do not want to see the Nashville Predators," Subban said in the video. "And it starts with leadership."

Subban went on to praise the moves made by first-year general manager Barry Trotz during the offseason, namely, the free-agent signings of Ryan O'Reilly, Gustav Nyquist and Luke Schenn and the hiring of head coach Andrew Brunette.

"If these guys aren't up for GM of the Year [and] Coach of the Year, it's blasphemous," Subban said of Trotz and Brunette. "Words from Roman Josi himself, Andrew Brunette is a big part of the reason why they have a winning culture in Nashville once again."

Looking ahead to Nashville's probable postseason run, Subban called the Predators a team "very likely to possibly upset somebody — a major team — in the first round" of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"The Nashville Predators are for real, and they deserve to start getting their flowers," Subban said. "Buckle up, because playoff hockey is coming back to Smashville."

The Predators will look to set a new franchise record and extend their point streak to 16 games tonight in a nationally televised matchup against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference in the Florida Panthers. Puck drop at Amerant Bank Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ESPN+ and Hulu in the United States.