Brunette tasked with improving Predators offense

NASHVILLE -- When Andrew Brunette was a member of the original Nashville Predators during the 1998-99 season, they were known for defense, tenacity and competitiveness.

Predators incoming general manager Barry Trotz, who coached that '98-99 team, said one of Brunette's tasks as Nashville's new coach is to improve an offense that finished 28th in the NHL at 2.72 goals per game.

Brunette was announced as the fourth coach in Predators history Wednesday, replacing John Hynes.

"There were a few key things I was looking for [in selecting the new coach]," Trotz said. "One was getting back to the pillars of the Predator way that I remembered from the time I was here. Another would be to play an entertaining, offensive brand of hockey that the fans would enjoy watching. The excitement … because after all, we're into winning and the entertainment business."

Nashville remained in the chase for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth for 80 games this season but missed for the first time in nine years. It was 23rd in the NHL in shots on goal (29.5 per game) and had a 17.6 percent success rate on the power play, which ranked 27th.

When he served as coach for the Florida Panthers for the last 75 games of the 2021-22 season, they finished first in goals (337) and had a power-play success rate of 24.4 percent, tied for fourth in the NHL.

The 49-year-old was an associate coach for the New Jersey Devils this season. Under Brunette, the Devils power play was 13th in the NHL (21.9 percent); it was 28th (15.6 percent) in 2021-22 before he arrived.

"I wouldn't say I'm an offensive coach," Brunette said. "I think my philosophy on how I see the game is I kind of want to dominate the puck, and I want to have it as much as I can have it. I don't want to chase it around too much. So, it's not really offensive. It's more, 'When you have it, keep it, and when you don't have it, get it back as soon as possible.' I don't want to defend. I want to check, and I want the puck back."

Trotz and Brunette each believe increasing the Predators' team speed is essential to improving the offense.

"I want our team to play faster, I want our team to play with more skill," said Trotz, who will take over as GM July 1, after David Poile retires. "I want those pillars of Predator relentless and determination, to the core values of this organization. This group won't be lazy. It will be relentless, hopefully, and it will determined. That's what we're trying to create through this whole organization."

Brunette said he was excited about returning to the organization -- and the people -- that helped launch his NHL career. He was drafted in the seventh round (No. 174) of the 1993 NHL Draft by Poile, who was then the Washington Capitals general manager. He played parts of four seasons in Portland of the American Hockey League, where he was coached by Trotz.

Brunette played 62 games in his first three NHL seasons for the Capitals and became a regular for the Predators during their inauguaral season under Trotz and had 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 77 games.

"Thirty years ago, Mr. Poile drafted me, a chubby kid coming out of junior hockey and gave me an opportunity to be a Washington Capital," Brunette said. "Being with Barry in the [American Hockey League] and learning to be a pro, and all the good times and bad times, really carved out kind of the player I was and person I was.

"So, this for me is unbelievable. I'm so excited to be here with these people, again, to be part of a franchise that I was very fortunate to be part of that first group. I take a lot of pride in that."

Photo: John Russell/Nashville Predators