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Predators Expected To Make More Defensive Changes

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Predators Expected To Make More Defensive Changes

Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors | By Bradley Keith | Last updated Oct 13, 2026 10:13 PM ET

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Nashville continues to revamp their roster under new general manager Chris MacFarland, his lastest addition being Jayden Struble who was acquired four days ago. The seventh trade MacFarland has made which was significant enough to directly affect the lineup, insider Elliotte Friedman shared on yesterday’s episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that the Predators aren’t done yet. The team is reportedly wanting to continue to “remake” their blueline, and the Struble acquisition was “just the first part of it”.

Treading water without a playoff series win in eight years, Nashville’s downturn after their run to the Stanley Cup Final back in 2017 is often attributed to a lack of forward talent. However, as things stand today, the defensive side is their biggest need. Gone are the days when the Predators had arguably the best defense core in the league, with luxuries of Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis rounding out their top four. Efforts to replace them have proved futile, all while elite #1 Roman Josi continues to age, now 36, feeling the effects of the heavy minutes he’s logged through Nashville’s tougher times.

The Predators’ 20th ranked offense wasn’t enough to reach the playoffs in 2025-26, but most glaring was their eighth-most goals surrendered, 269. Well regarded goaltender Juuse Saros’ production has taken a hit as he had to face 28 shots per game on average in 2025-26. Last season Saros also had to make the sixth-most saves on unblocked shot attempts, according to Moneypuck data.

Behind Josi, who is only getting older, it’s pretty barren for the Predators. Brady Skjei has been unable to play up to a level worth his $7MM AAV. Nicolas Hague has brought in needed size, although he’s best suited in a pure bottom-pairing role as was the case in Vegas. Nicklaus Perbix hasn’t quite brought the same stability he offered in Tampa, as he cleared waivers two weeks ago. The Predators have solid young pieces in Adam Wilsby and William Trudeau, claimed off waivers from the Rangers last month, but certainly still more work to be done as Hall of Famer Rob Blake evaluates the team in his new role. What is glaringly missing is another true top-pairing piece capable of driving play and taking hard minutes off Josi’s plate.

In terms of a big fish they could seek out, Carolina’s Alexander Nikishin makes the most sense. As his RFA status drags out it was reported last month that Nashville has interest. MacFarland traded their most proven young talent, Luke Evangelista, in a move which left fans scratching their heads. The addition of draft capital could have Nikishin in mind, however, just yesterday the sentiment was that no trade is imminent, and it’s safe to assume whatever possible discussions MacFarland has had with Eric Tulsky haven’t gone far. At age 25, the Russian mostly fits into the Preds’ hypothetical rebuilding plans, although if they committed do a deal carrying somewhere around a $9MM AAV, it wouldn’t be wise to waste much time at the bottom of the standings as he approaches his late twenties.

Moving on, Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson also is the exact type of player Nashville lacks, with top pairing upside at just 23. Dealing with his own contract difficulties, and seeming to want to move on, it’s complicated to imagine an obvious trade scenario. Evangelista would have been Exhibit A as an established young forward more attractive to Detroit than the future draft picks they got for him. Nashville has plenty of intriguing recent first-round prospects to offer as well, such as Brady Martin or Tanner Molendyk, but whatever it would cost out of their farm system to appease Detroit would effectively be one step forward and one backward.

Whatever possible splash MacFarland has in mind, improving the third pairing is half the battle, and Struble should make an impact in that area. A second-round pick was a return which felt rich for Montreal, but the 25-year-old offers a serious upgrade in terms of his gap control and impressive break-out ability for a defender with formidable physicality.

Taking on Vegas tonight, their blue-line will again be evaluated closely as the Predators will deploy seven defensemen. Jack Ahcan, brought over from Colorado, somewhat unexpectedly made the team out of camp. The 29-year-old stands at 5’8″ and brings many of the same traits the Preds lost when they traded Nick Blankenburg, ironically to their new general manager himself. An exceptionally mobile lefty with an impressive AHL track record, still, it’s quite clear the club needs a big piece to supplement their top four.

Image Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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