Predators’ Steven Stamkos is expected to outperform Lightning
An NHL analyst thinks the Nashville Predators, led by Steven Stamkos, will outperform the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he used to play.
Although the Stanley Cup winner and likely Hall of Fame forward Steven Stamkos was signed by the Nashville Predators, they made some of the most exciting offseason signings in the NHL. With the Predators ready to take on the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference, the former captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning hopes to bring that winning legacy to the squad.
With Stamkos joining the team, the Predators go from a playoff squad to a clear favorite to win the Stanley Cup. The squad finished the previous season with 110 points, and now a six-time 40+ goal scorer is entering their starting lineup.
Former NHL player and TSN Hockey analyst Frankie Corrado believes they are well-positioned for success in 2024โ2025 after examining the moves they made this summer. Corrado quickly named the Predators in response to a question on TSN Sportscenter on which of Stamkos’ teams will perform better in the forthcoming campaign.
“The Nashville Predators had a better season than the Tampa Bay Lightning did last year,” he commented. “And they’ve added more pieces around this group.”
The Predators also signed defenseman Brady Skjei, forward Jonathan Marchessault, and goalkeeper Juuse Saros to an eight-year agreement this summer in addition to Stamkos. For a rival team, every change would be a positive step, but the Predators were able to bolster their squad with four different movements. which, Corrado adds, was already a proficient defensive unit.
“Now, if that team can continue to play stingy defensively,” he added. “Adding offensive weapons around them, I like the chances of the Nashville Predators to be a better team than the Tampa Bay Lightning this year.”
Undoubtedly, Stamkos is praying that Corrado’s forecast comes true. He signed with Nashville and left the only organization he had ever been a part of, largely because of the championship window there. Now that they have him, the Predators are expected to go farther and faster in the playoffs than the Lightning.