Are the Nashville Predators going extinct?

Entering the beginning of the season, the Nashville Predators had some high expectations after a first-round exit in the most recent playoffs.

The team was expected to meet these high expectations after going all in on Juuse Saros and signing some big-time free agents, which resulted in the most money spent in free agency.

The Predators spent just over $128 million, the most by over $30 million.

The team signed big-name players like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.

Stamkos and Marchessault were supposed to give this team the jolt it needed to get Nashville over the hump and back in the Stanley Cup conversation that they haven’t been in, in seven years.

However, the Predators have gotten off to an incredibly slow start.

That begs the question, Are the Predators going extinct?

They started off 0-5 on the season but have found a groove as of late. With an 82-game season, there is still a majority of the season remaining.

Despite a big part of the season remaining, there are some major concerns about this start.

Stamkos, one of the most prized free agents in the offseason, has just one point. His lone point was a goal scored in a 5-2 loss to Detroit.

A player that is supposed to be one of the top players, one point through eight games is a terrifying sight.

Obviously, he can turn it on at any time and be back to the vintage Stamkos that we’ve seen so many years in Tampa Bay.

Marchessault has five points this season but is a -4 in his plus-minus scoring.

On the goaltending side, Saros is playing up to the contract he received.

Through six games played, he has a 2.74 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. The numbers are there but the record is not with him sitting at a 2-4 record.

Another major problem is the backup goalie. Scott Wedgewood has not been good at all. He has a 4.21 goals-against average with a .854 save percentage.

The backup goalie doesn’t have to be incredible, but he has to be serviceable. Wedgewood has not been that so far this season on games where the Predators’ coaching staff wants to give Saros a break.

Nashville is 28th in the NHL in goals per game at just 2.43. In an era that favors scoring in a massive way, the Predators are not scoring a lot early on in the season.

In addition to this, they are in the bottom half of the league in goals against per game. Neither side of the puck is going right for the Predators right now.

Despite all of these worries, I would not consider the Predators as “extinct,” or even close to being extinct but it’s definitely worrying for fans and the team so far this season.

I would say the Predators are “endangered” right now but are still trending in the path of “extinct” for the current season, as they continue to give up goals at a high rate yet score at a low rate despite all of the talent on the team.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email asd5765@psu.edu.