The end of October is among us and so far, the Nashville Predators’ season is going about how we expected it to go. They are just outside of a Wildcard spot with a 4-4-5 record (13 points) and are 23rd in the league standings, which makes sense given their talent level. The actual games are also playing out as expected, as the Predators often times work hard and have some good moments, but do not have enough in the tank to truly get the job done.
Another unsurprising development is that they still are working to form a consistent nightly lineup, but what is not going to plan is how they are going about trying to figure it out. The Predators have dressed a lineup of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen — a seldom used and unsustainable NHL strategy — in 6 out of 13 games so far. For as baffling as it might be, it also reminds us of a known reality coming into the 2026-27 season.
Nashville Predators are confirming awareness regarding poor roster with roster decisions
The Predators have gone with the 11 forwards and 7 defensemen lineup in each of the last three games, as well as October 3, 6, and 13. With how it results in forward fatigue, lack of offensive depth, and altered team chemistry, using it in almost half your games is virtually unheard of. That is exactly what the Predators have done throughout the month of October, and it is getting to the point of asking serious questions, one of which is warranted.
In each of the last three games, Vitali Pinchuk has been one of the players scratched, and it also happened to him in an earlier game in the same situation. He is a young players with upside who they took a flier on, and it seems odd to scratch him instead of playing a 12th forward. Complicating matters with Pinchuk, rumors are that he already might be on the way out of Nashville. It might be performance based or due to something deeper, but there is clearly something Andrew Brunette and company do not like regarding Pinchuk.
The other two players who have consistently been scratched with the 11 forwards and 7 defensemen lineup are Reid Schaefer and Ilya Lyubushkin. Neither player is more than rotational depth at this stage, and for the excitement around Pinchuk he is certainly no real difference maker as far as current lineup impact.
Eventually, the Predators will have to figure something out so they do not have to roll such an unusual lineup consistently, but their decisions tell us that they know their roster is not good. They simply do not have the personnel to run a more conventional lineup, and Brunette and his staff are just trying different things to see what works. Criticism of their decisions is fair, but they say a lot more about the pieces available to work with.
Brunette even referenced in passing when talking about Nic Hague after Thursday night’s game, basically saying that they rolled with 7 defensemen to have an extra option in case one is not playing well. If Brunette were to give his actual unfiltered read on the situation, he would probably be more direct about how poor the roster is. Granted, the answer he gave is already a slight indictment on the state of the defense itself, and one that is not inaccurate.
Based on the lineup decisions, overall 5-on-5 play, and prior remarks from Chris MacFarland, some serious changes could be coming soon. Tough decisions will be necessary for the Predators to eventually overcome the unfortunate roster situation they are currently dealing with.
