Offseason Recap: Look Back at Nashville's Summer of 2026 Before the Start of a New Preds Campaign

No offseason in the NHL comes without a fair share of change, but for the Nashville Predators, the summer of 2026 may go down as one of the most groundbreaking stretches in franchise history. 

The addition of a new President of Hockey Operations and General Manager will do that, and combined with a number of trades, signings and the like, the Preds will look just a bit different when Training Camp begins Sept. 16. 

Of course, the summer months also bring vacations, downtime and other pursuits that may not keep hockey at the forefront. 

With that in mind - and Opening Night of the 2026-27 campaign less than a month away - now is the perfect time to recap the offseason that was while looking ahead to what hopes to be a very bright future in Music City. 

So, before the Preds open Rookie Camp this Friday with Training Camp soon after, take a look back at the past five months of moving and shaking at 501 Broadway. 

April 27: Predators Sign Vitali Pinchuk to One-Year, Entry-Level Contract

After Barry Trotz announced in February his intention to retire as Predators General Manager once a replacement was hired, the GM still continued to take care of business. 

That included inking forward Vitali Pinchuk to a one-year, entry-level contract at the end of April  - a deal that could prove to be quite notable once the new season begins. 

The 24-year-old Pinchuk ranked third in the KHL in goals (31) and tied for sixth in points (66) last season while appearing in 65 games for Dinamo Minsk. Undrafted, the 6-foot-3 forward was one of just 10 KHL skaters to produce at a point-per-game rate. 

Now, he’ll join the Preds for Rookie Camp as he works to potentially make his NHL debut this fall in Nashville. 

April 30: Smashville's Next Stage: Broadway 2030 Transformation Project Underway at Bridgestone Arena

On the final day of April, the Preds and Bridgestone Arena officially announced plans for Smashville’s Next Stage: Broadway 2030, the renovation project that will transform the venue into a best-in-class destination for patrons, performers and athletes.  

With the enabling phase of the project already underway, the organization will continue a series of offseason upgrades designed to enhance the fan experience while laying the groundwork for the arena’s larger-scale renovations scheduled for the summers of 2027, 2028 and 2029. 

The renovation, which will be completed in phases so games can continue without interruption, has a goal of having the majority of the work being completed by the 2029-30 season, with the Predators organization leading and funding the project.

May 20: Preds Foundation's Annual Helper Grants Distribution Continues to Set Records and Change Lives

As the latest installment of the Helper Grant presentations took place in May, the Nashville Predators Foundation reached new heights once again. 

Grant distributions totaling $855,642.88 - the Foundation’s largest one-time donation in franchise history - were awarded to 199 Nashville and Middle Tennessee nonprofits to help the respective organizations with projects and programs benefiting youth and their families.

In addition to the Helper Grants, the Preds Foundation also continues to contribute over $4 million annually in direct cash and in-kind support to community organizations throughout Middle Tennessee.

May 29: Predators Sign Felix Nilsson to Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract

In what ended up being Trotz’s final signing as GM, the Preds inked forward Felix Nilsson to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in 2026-27. 

Selected by the Predators in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old forward posted Swedish Hockey League career highs in goals (14), assists (26) and points (40) in 52 games last season for Rögle BK.

Nilsson is set to be a part of Nashville’s Rookie Camp roster that will travel to Raleigh for the Prospect Tournament with games against Carolina (Sept. 13) and Tampa Bay (Sept. 14). 

May 31: Annunen Leads Finland to Gold Medal at World Championship; Josi Named MVP of Tournament

With a Gold Medal on the line, Justus Annunen was perfect. 

The Predators goaltender pitched a 22-save shutout on the final day of May at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship finale to lead Finland to a 1-0 overtime victory against Switzerland. Preds Captain Roman Josi - who also captained the Swiss - earned a silver medal in the loss. 

Annunen, who went 7-1-0 with the Finns in the annual tournament, finished with a 1.47 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in a starting role for his country.

June 2: Predators Hire Chris MacFarland as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager

Four months to the day of Trotz’s retirement announcement, the Preds got their guy. 

On June 2, the Predators announced the hiring of Chris MacFarland as President of Hockey Operations/General Manager. MacFarland became just the third GM in Predators history and the second to hold the president of hockey operations title. 

“We could not be more pleased that Chris has elected to join the Predators organization and lead our hockey operations group,” Preds Chairman and Majority Owner Bill Haslam said. “We conducted an exhaustive search and were able to meet with several very qualified and impressive candidates, but all along, we were hopeful to interview Chris. He turned out to be a perfect fit for us – just what we were looking for to lead our organization moving forward.”

MacFarland joined the Predators organization after spending the previous 11 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, including the past four as general manager where he helped to build the 2022 Stanley Cup championship team as an assistant GM; Colorado has also made the playoffs in nine straight campaigns – tied for the longest active streak in the NHL – reaching the Western Conference Final last spring.

“We can't wait to become part of the community here and dig in with my new teammates in the organization, and I’m super excited,” MacFarland said of his new opportunity. “We want to build something here…and make hockey something that's in the blood of every young Tennessee fan and build something really special.”

June 5: Predators Hire Rob Blake as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations

Just three days later, MacFarland added his right-hand man. 

The Preds hired Rob Blake as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations to work alongside MacFarland in all areas of the hockey operations department, including team and staff development, long- and short-term strategies, free agency, player recruitment, drafting and more.

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, Blake served as General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings from 2017-25. 

June 16: Predators Acquire Forward Ross Colton and Goaltender Isak Posch From Colorado

MacFarland made a deal with his former team when he acquired forward Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Nashville’s own third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Colorado’s own third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft (previously transferred to Nashville in a prior transaction) and goaltender Magnus Chrona. 

“We are very excited to add Ross Colton to our forward mix,” MacFarland said. “Ross is a versatile, two-way winger who will add sandpaper and grit into our middle six group.”

The 29-year-old Colton recorded 24 points (9g-15a), a +9 rating and 153 shots in 73 games for Colorado in 2025-26. Additionally, he tallied 159 hits in 2025-26, third on the Avalanche. 

June 17: Predators Hire Jamie Langenbrunner as Special Assistant to the General Manager

One day later, the Preds added to their front office again by hiring former NHLer Jamie Langenbrunner as Special Assistant to the General Manager. Langenbrunner will work alongside MacFarland in areas such as professional scouting, collegiate free-agent scouting and recruiting, special assignments and more.

June 22: Rinne Receives Call From the Hall, Selected as Honored Member of Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026

In a call that took just about everyone by surprise, Smashville’s favorite son received the honor of a lifetime. 

Pekka Rinne, the greatest goaltender - and player - in Nashville Predators franchise history, and one of the top netminders the game has ever seen, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as an Honored Member of the Class of 2026. 

Rinne joins former teammate and Predators Captain Shea Weber, as well as former General Manager David Poile, just two years after they were both inducted into the Hall - with Rinne going in as the first player to have spent his entire career with Nashville to be enshrined. 

Per the Hall, the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 in Toronto preceded by the traditional slate of “Induction Weekend” events beginning on Saturday, Nov. 7, including the annual “Hockey Hall of Fame Game” hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

June 24: Predators Acquire Jack Drury, Chase Bradley, Third-Round Pick in 2029 NHL Draft From Colorado

Another trade with the Avalanche came ahead of the Draft as the Preds acquired forwards Jack Drury and Chase Bradley, as well as Colorado’s third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, from the Avalanche in exchange for forwards Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov.

“Jack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the face-off circle,” MacFarland said. “His addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and we’re thrilled to have him on our roster. We’re also excited to add Chase Bradley – another young forward who’s had some NHL experience – to our overall organizational depth at forward.”

June 27: Predators Acquire Adam Edstrom From NY Rangers

During the NHL Draft, the Preds acquired 6-foot-7 forward Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round pick (148th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft.

June 27-28: Predators Select Wyatt Cullen, Tommy Bleyl in First Round of 2026 NHL Draft; Add Eight Prospects in Total

The Predators added to their already impressive prospect pool when they selected forward Wyatt Cullen (10th overall) and defenseman Tommy Bleyl (31st overall) in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. In total, the Preds drafted four forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender on the weekend. 

June 28: Predators Sign Jack Drury to Five-Year, $22.5 Million Contract

MacFarland locked up one of his offseason acquisitions by signing Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract.

June 29: Predators Acquire Nils Hoglander From Vancouver

One day later, the Preds made a deal to acquire forward Nils Hoglander from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Colorado’s third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft.

“We are excited to add Nils Hoglander to our mix,” MacFarland said. “He is a 25-year-old experienced winger who is known for his relentless, high-energy style of play, bringing a consistent motor to the lineup night after night. We believe the player can come in and have a key role.”

July 1: Predators Acquire Mavrik Bourque, Ilya Lyubushkin From Dallas

Just before Free Agency opened on July 1, the Preds made a splash when they acquired forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Dallas Stars in exchange for Nashville’s second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and Vegas’ third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

“Mavrik Bourque is a quality, two-way player who will fit perfectly with what we are trying to build here in Nashville,” MacFarland said. “At just 24 years old, his age and style of play fits in with the type of players we are looking to bring in to help make us better. In addition, Ilya Lyubushkin is a veteran defenseman with significant experience who can log minutes and be a physical presence in our own end. We are excited to welcome both players to Nashville.”

July 1: Predators Sign Alexander Kerfoot to Two-Year, $7 Million Contract

Nashville’s most notable add through Free Agency came in the form of a two-year, $7 million contract for Alexander Kerfoot. The veteran forward recorded 13 points (7g-6a), 30 hits and 27 blocked shots in 34 games for the Utah Mammoth in the 2025-26 season.

July 4: Predators Sign Mavrik Bourque to Six-Year, $33 Million Contract

Just three days after the trade, the Predators inked Bourque to a six-year, $33 million contract. The 24-year-old forward recorded career highs in goals (20), assists (21) and points (41) in 2025-26 with the Stars while adding 79 hits and 147 shots in 82 games; his 20 goals were the fourth-most on Dallas.

July 6: Predators Sign Justin Barron to One-Year, $1.575 Million Contract

The Preds brought back a familiar face when they signed defenseman Justin Barron to a one-year, $1.575 million contract.

“Justin Barron is a 24-year-old, right-handed defenseman who we feel still has growth in his game,” MacFarland said. “He can skate and has a lot of physical tools. We’re looking forward to seeing him at our training camp in September.”

July 7: Predators Hire Vukie Mpofu as Assistant General Manager

Nashville filled another key role in the front office with the hiring of Vukie Mpofu as Assistant General Manager. The 30-year-old Mpofu will work alongside MacFarland in all facets of the hockey operations department, including player acquisition strategy; professional and amateur scouting; contract negotiations; salary cap and CBA compliance; roster and personnel decisions; and several other key areas of responsibility.

Aug. 27: Predators, Scripps Sports Announce Television Broadcast Schedule for 2026-27 Season

Watching the Preds will be easier than ever this season as the team and Scripps Sports announced the club’s regional television broadcast schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season. In the first season of a landmark, multi-year media rights agreement between the two entities, 85 of the team’s games (four preseason, 81 regular season) will be broadcast regionally on The Spot – Nashville 28, a free, over-the-air channel.

The Spot – Nashville 28 will televise, for the first time in franchise history, all four of the Predators’ preseason games and the season-opener on Oct. 1 vs. Minnesota, which will be preceded by a special one-hour edition of the Predators Pregame Show. 

Fans can watch all locally broadcast Predators games on The Spot – Nashville 28 (WNPX) over the air with an antenna or on cable and satellite distributors serving the Predators territory; at least four games will be simulcast on Scripps-owned NewsChannel 5 (WTVF), which serves Nashville’s TV market. Each game broadcast will also feature 30-minute editions of the Predators Pregame Show and Predators Postgame Show.

Sept. 1: Predators Acquire First-Round and Second-Round Picks in 2028 NHL Draft From New Jersey

One more offseason deal came down as the month of September began. 

The Preds acquired Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick (conditional) and New Jersey’s 2028 second-round pick from the Devils in exchange for forward Luke Evangelista. In the event that either a) Colorado’s 2027 first-round pick is not transferred to Toronto; or b) Colorado’s 2028 first-round pick falls within the Top 10, Nashville shall instead receive Colorado’s 2029 first-round pick.

“We know Luke is a good, young player who has endeared himself to our fans, so this decision was not made lightly,” MacFarland said. “At the same time, we’ve explored all possibilities in pursuit of making our team better moving forward. This trade brings us two more high draft picks, giving us seven in the first two rounds over the next two seasons; provides us with flexibility from a roster and salary cap standpoint to make additional improvements to our team; and creates a space for the promising young wingers within our organization to compete for, and earn, an NHL job. We wish Luke all the best in New Jersey.”