Predators’ Offseason To-Do List | UFAs, Prospect Spotlight & GM Search

As the 2025-2026 NHL regular season nears its close, the Nashville Predators face a pivotal offseason filled with contract decisions, prospect evaluations, and the looming search for a new general manager. Host Jack Williams breaks down the team’s key unrestricted free agents, Eric Holla and Tyson Jost, analyzing the financial and strategic challenges of retaining them, especially with Barry Trotz stepping down. Holla’s strong late-season performance and veteran presence make him a prime candidate for a contract extension, though his age and market value pose negotiation hurdles. Jost, a waiver claim who has shown recent improvement, is seen as a low-cost, high-upside depth piece worth a short-term deal. Meanwhile, the team’s restricted free agent Justin Barron is criticized for his lack of impact and is recommended for trade rather than extension. The prospect spotlight highlights several players from the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, including Matthew Wood, Ryan Ufko, and Jordan Osterly, who are considered strong candidates for roster spots. Others like Brady Martin, Tanner Molendijk, and Aiden Fink are deemed not yet NHL-ready, with calls for more development time. The draft analysis emphasizes the Predators’ lack of high-end picks—only 12 total, including three in the fifth round—and the need for a new GM to prioritize speed and offensive skating talent. The team is unlikely to land the top pick due to strong playoff positioning, but the focus remains on building through the draft and developing young core players like Matthew Wood and Luke Evangelista. The episode concludes with a strong call to action for fans to join the Locked On Everyday Club for ad-free content and exclusive access. Williams stresses that while the team is still in playoff contention, the offseason planning is already underway, with the new GM’s role being central to shaping the future. The tone is pragmatic and forward-looking, balancing optimism about the prospect pool with realism about current roster shortcomings. The overarching message is that the Predators are at a crossroads: they must make smart, bold decisions in free agency, trades, and the draft to build a competitive team around their emerging young stars.