The 2025-26 NHL season for the Nashville Predators is shaping up to include some exciting matchups. The Predators will kick off their season on October 9 at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets, setting the stage for a competitive year.

Following their opener, Nashville will embark on a challenging Canadian road trip where they'll face the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets. A notable highlight of the season will be their participation in the NHL Global Series, where they'll take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm, Sweden, in mid-November.

December will see the Predators face off against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, while a pause for the Olympic Winter Games in February will include representation from players like Roman Josi and Juuse Saros. The regular season will wrap up on April 16 against the Anaheim Ducks, culminating in a home stretch that could have significant playoff implications.

The Nashville Predators are eyeing potential goaltenders for the 2025 NHL Draft, following the trade of Yaroslav Askarov, leaving a gap in their goaltending future. With Juuse Saros signed through 2033, the Predators need a viable successor. Current prospects like Jakub Milota and Magnus Chrona show promise but require development to reach NHL readiness.

History suggests that the Predators have found their best goaltenders in later rounds, with stars like Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros being late-round picks. However, amidst a thin goaltending pipeline, the Predators' scouting director has indicated a strong intention to select at least one goaltender early in the draft, focusing on top prospects Joshua Ravensbergen and Pyotr Andreyanov.

Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators' goaltender, has seen a troubling decline in performance over the past two seasons, posting a career-low save percentage of .895 and leading the league in losses. Despite these struggles, Predators GM Barry Trotz remains unfazed, attributing Saros' performance to the overall team dynamics and defensive issues rather than solely on the goaltender himself. Saros is set to receive a significant pay increase with an eight-year, $61 million contract extension coming into effect this July, raising questions about the team's commitment to him given his recent form.

The Predators experienced challenges on defense, losing key players to injuries and trades, which Trotz believes impacted Saros' numbers. However, statistical evidence suggests that Saros' performance was not up to par even with the defensive struggles, as demonstrated by his records over the last two seasons. The franchise's decision to sign Saros long-term instead of developing other promising goaltenders like Yaroslav Askarov, who was traded, may haunt them as they navigate the upcoming season.

The Nashville Predators faced a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with a record of 30-44-8 and missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. Goalie Juuse Saros ended the season with his career-worst numbers, including an .895 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average, raising concerns about his performance. Coach Andrew Brunette pointed out that the expectations set by significant free-agent signings did not translate into results, leading to a lack of chemistry on the ice.

Saros, who previously ranked in the top five for the Vezina Trophy, struggled throughout the season but will get another chance to showcase his skills representing Finland at the IIHF World Championship. With Saros carrying an eight-year, $61.92 million contract starting next season, the pressure will be on him to rebound from this lackluster campaign.