Lessons Learned From The Nashville Predators, Season Coming To A Close

Coming into the 2023-24 season head coach Andrew Brunette had to establish relationships with his players. Whether it came from walking through drills or chatting off the ice, Brunette began his tenure in Nashville on a clean slate.

“By keeping an open mind, by listening and communicating I’m starting to figure them out a little bit,” Brunette said.

“For myself, there’s so many challenges in coaching. There’s a lot of weaknesses that I still need to be better at and one of them is always trying to be better at validating and understanding and helping these players get to where they are by listening a little better. You try and I’m getting better but I’m nowhere near as good as I need to be.”

As this team and Brunette’s staff have worked together they’ve achieved an opportunity to play in the Stanley Cup Playoff. The slow start through 15 games and 18-game point streak are the hills and valleys of a rollercoaster that’s playing a full season.

Now it’s about continuing to buy in and reflect on the lessons learned from what the regular season has thrown Nashville’s way.

“There’s a lot of factors but the slow start was part of that and the new system was a factor as well,” Nyquist said when reflecting on this season.

“I don’t think it’s anything the guys here have ever played before and even the older guys that are in the locker room. It’s shown here in the second half of the season that we’re getting to a point where we’re comfortable in the style of game we want to play.”

Away from the rink Nyquist still doesn’t have a chance to slow down with his three daughters at home waiting to spend time with him. However, on the ice Nyquist has put up his best NHL season with one team scoring 71 points in 78 games.

“It’s all fun, that’s part of it, they love Nashville and that’s a big part too,” Nyquist said. “It’s a great place to raise a family, we’re all happy to be here, it’s been a great fit.”

Nyquist and his linemates have combined for 225 points this season through 78 games and hope the success continues into late April.

Tommy Novak attempting to tip a shot against the New York Islanders on April 4, 2024.

Forward Tommy Novak is spending his first full NHL season with Nashville and he’s still picking up the idiosyncrasies of being a pro with the Predators.

“The most useful thing is the reps and experience in the games,” Novak said. “The more games you play the more guys you see they’re smarter and know what to expect. The best way of training is experience. I always thought the best way to get better was to just play.”

He’s been doing that alongside Luke Evangelista who now has 16 goals this season. Novak and Evangelista have been holding up the depth of the team at times as well with 22 combined even-strength goals.

Novak has learned a lot of lessons about himself after 157 games in the AHL and now 145 with Nashville.

“I’ve learned that I can win a lot of stick battles. I get into a lot more of them this year since we’re always contesting the puck,” Novak said. “What I’ve learned about myself is I have a good stick and I need to shoot it more.”

Four more games to go until Nashville finishes the regular season. Then their lessons go into action as the postseason is set to begin on April 20.