2026-27 Nashville Predators Season Preview

The Nashville Predators enter the 2026–27 season with a reshaped roster after a busy offseason that saw them hire a new general manager, add significant forward depth, and bolster their defense. The moves signal a win-now approach, leaning on a veteran core and adding experienced pieces to push for another deep playoff run.

Key Additions

Chris MacFarland (General Manager) – Hired on June 2nd to replace Barry Trotz. The 44-year-old brings a wealth of experience, including four seasons as GM of the Colorado Avalanche, and is expected to implement a more aggressive, win-now strategy.

Mavrik Bourque (C) – Acquired from Dallas on July 1st with Ilya Lyubushkin in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick. The 24-year-old center scored 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games last season, bringing speed, two-way play, and middle-six scoring punch.

Ross Colton (C) – Acquired from Colorado on June 16th in exchange for goaltender Magnus Chrona and 2026/2027 third-round picks. The 29-year-old scored 21 goals and 44 points in 78 games last season, bringing physicality, penalty-kill prowess, and middle-six depth. He’s expected to play a third-line role.

Jack Drury (C) – Acquired from Colorado on June 26th in exchange for Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov. The 26-year-old scored 10 goals and 17 assists in 82 games last season, bringing two-way play, versatility, and middle-six depth. He’s expected to play a third-line role.

Nils Hoglander (LW) – Acquired from Vancouver on June 29th for a 2029 third-round pick. The 25-year-old left-wing brings speed, skill, and bottom-six depth, expected to compete for a top-nine role.

Alex Kerfoot (C) – Signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal on July 1st. The 32-year-old brings two-way play, versatility, and middle-six depth, expected to play a third-line role.

Ilya Lyubushkin (D) – Acquired from Dallas in the Bourque trade. The 32-year-old right-shot defenseman brings physicality, veteran presence, and third-pairing minutes.

Adam Edstrom (C) – Acquired from Vancouver in the Hoglander trade. The 23-year-old center brings size, two-way play, and AHL depth, expected to compete for a call-up role.

Key Subtractions

Erik Haula (C) – Signed a two-year, $3.6 million AAV deal with Los Angeles on July 1st. The 35-year-old scored 14 goals and 24 assists in 81 games last season, a notable loss of veteran depth and two-way play.

Zachary L’Heureux (LW) – Traded to Colorado in the Drury deal. The 23-year-old left-wing had four goals and one assist in 25 games, removing youth and depth from the bottom six.

Fedor Svechkov (C) – Also dealt to Colorado in the Drury trade. The 23-year-old center had four goals and 13 assists in 70 games, a loss of youth and two-way depth.

Magnus Chrona (G) – Traded to Colorado in the Colton deal. The 24-year-old goaltender had NHL potential but was deemed expendable.

Tyson Jost (C) – Departed in free agency. The 28-year-old center had 10 goals and 18 points in 68 games, removing forward depth.

Jordan Oesterle (D) – Departed in free agency. The 34-year-old left-shot defenseman had nine assists in 67 games, a loss of veteran depth on the left side.

Andreas Englund (D) – Departed in free agency. The 30-year-old left-shot defenseman had five assists in 68 games, removing physicality and depth from the third pairing.

Impact on 2026–27

The Predators’ offseason moves signal a clear push toward competitiveness. MacFarland brings a win-now mindset, while Bourque, Colton, and Drury add significant forward depth and versatility. The departures of Haula, L’Heureux, and Svechkov remove some youth and two-way play, but the additions should push Nashville up the standings. Expect the Predators to be in the playoff hunt, with a deeper, more balanced lineup pushing for another deep playoff run.

Salary Cap Situation

Projected cap hit – $96,329,556
Roster – 23/23
Projected cap space – $7,670,444
Deadline cap space – $35,430,146

Nashville Predators Depth Chart