The Nashville Predators sit at rock bottom with a 5-9-4 record, and the question isn't whether changes are needed—it's how drastic they should be. With no-move clauses complicating every decision and Barry Trotz's offseason signings underperforming, is a full rebuild the only path forward?

Ann Kimmel and Emma Lingan break down the Predators' roster crisis, evaluating which pending UFAs like Cole Smith and Michael McCarron could bring trade deadline returns versus who should stay. They tackle the Steven Stamkos contract dilemma, analyze why firing Andrew Brunette might only treat symptoms rather than cure the disease, and debate whether the team's promising prospects—Matthew Wood, Tanner Molendyk, and others—can salvage Barry Trotz's legacy. The hosts also examine how upcoming games in Sweden could become a dangerous distraction from necessary roster surgery.

Discover why the Predators have zero leverage in trade negotiations and what it will actually take to fix this franchise beyond quick-fix solutions.

0:00 Intro

2:15 Coaching change won't fix roster construction

7:48 Keep or deal: Evaluating upcoming UFAs

11:32 Big contracts with no-move clauses problem

17:00 The delicate conversation about moving players

22:03 Predators have zero trade leverage now

27:22 Young players need NHL opportunities now

31:08 Barry Trots' draft picks show promise

35:13 Could Sweden wins delay necessary changes

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