Preds' Get Shutout of Season

It was somewhat of a disappointing end to the Predators season. Disappointing, yet not exactly surprising. With a playoff spot within' their grasps in the final two weeks of the regular season, the Predators yet again proved how inconsistent they've been all season by dropping 4 of their last 5 games to fall out of the western conference wildcard race, to be quickly forgotten as they sit out as spectators for the 2nd season in a row. 

The Nashville Predators were considered as the most inconsistent team in the EHE this year. Storming out of the gates in the first couple months of the season, sitting 1st place in the league, to suddenly dropping 9 regular losses in a row in December, and ever since then it's been a teeter-totter of a season. No consistency nor rhythym of any kind made it impossible for the Predators to find any positives, as the positives were quickly erased by doubts after strings of poor play. 

"This season most certainly toyed with my emotions all year. I could never quite figure out what this team was made of. We'd win 4 or 5 in a row, get our hopes up, make us believe we were finding our groove, and then we lose 4 or 5 in a row. I've never seen a team this inconsistent before, but I think it speaks volumes with how much we just weren't quite ready. We set a 3 year plan in place the moment the EHE was born, and this was still a really big developmental year for us. Playoffs weren't in the cards for us, but this team certainly did play like a playoff team sometimes - which would always kind of play with my mind. As disappointd one can be, it also makes me excited that this team has already shown flashes of playoff potential." GM Wolf said during his season ending press conference. 

The Predators have a lot to look forward too. The team has remained patient and committed to building a young core and growing with it. With Crosby leading the team, there are players of the likes such as Sean Monahan, Tomas Hertl, Brayden Schenn, Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Skinner, who have all shown improvements this year and will be a year more mature next season. On top of that already young core, the Predators will see young rookie-phenom Connor McDavid join the team next season which will really solidfy the core group and establish the franchise with a cornerstone player behind Crosby. 

"As disapointing as this season has gone for our fans, I am quite excited for the team we'll be starting next season. There's a lot to be excited for. I really like our offense moving forward. It'll be the catalyst for our success moving forward." Wolf said. "Next season our goal WILL be to make the playoffs. Something I haven't been able to say yet, but after two years of building this season and developing our prospects, next season is the season we will really propel ourselves to being a contender in the EHE."

It looks as though, the growing pains in Nashville may have ended at the defeat by the Dallas Stars on the final day of the 15-16 regular season. The team has a very bright future ahead of it that seems will come to fruition as soon as next season. There are still questions to be answered this off-season, as Predators head coach Dave Cameron's contract has expired. Will the Predators renew his deal? What about the gaping holes on the Preds blueline? Eric Wolf didn't say much, but he did comprehend to media that acquiring a top pairing defenseman is most certainly his priority this off-season if he is to keep his promise for the playoffs next year in tact. 

With the Predators season wrapped up, Wolf and the Preds turn their attention to the draft table! Good luck to all of those teams in the playoffs!