The Nashville Predators needed a hot start this season to avoid further roster turnover or personnel changes.
At 4-4-5 (13 points), the Predators‘ start has been lukewarm at best.
As Nashville Predators first-year general manager Chris MacFarland looks for ways to improve the team, at least some of the focus will shift to fourth-year coach Andrew Brunette.
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In an exclusive conversation with The Tennessean on Oct. 30, Brunette addressed the pressure he’s feeling amid the team’s disappointing start, while also acknowledging this is becoming a bit of a pattern.
“I think we’ve had this conversation the last three years,” Brunette said when asked about his job security. “I understand what the game is and where the game’s at. I’m just focused on being the best coach I can every day.”
Over the summer, the Predators went through a bit of a face-lift, especially at the forward position. Mavrik Bourque, Alex Kerfoot, Nils Höglander, Jack Drury, and Ross Colton were among the biggest names added, joining familiar faces like Steven Stamkos, Filip Forsberg, and Ryan O’Reilly.
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So far, those changes have netted the Predators the 23rd ranked offense, scoring just 2.85 goals per game.
Brunette, who received a vote of confidence from MacFarland over the summer, said he’s asked a lot of his players heading into the season. He also knows the demand goes both ways.
“I’ve asked my players to have some focus on their responsibility, on their jobs,” Brunette said. “I’ve asked them to compete. I’ve asked them to have some urgency along with execution. If you do those things, you’re gonna have a good start. So, if I’m asking them, then I ask myself the same thing. I’m focused on the task at hand. I’m focused on my group, my players. I’m competing. I’m working as hard as I can every day to get us better.”
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Just as the players answer to Brunette, Brunette answers to MacFarland, who was hired in June to replace retiring GM Barry Trotz. Brunette and MacFarland have had conversations during the early season.
“I think (MacFarland’s) around every day, but our conversations are going to be between us,” Brunette said. “I think we see things very similarly. Like I said before, we know we have some work to do.”
The Predators’ biggest struggles have been on defense. Most recently, in their 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, Brunette benched defenseman Nicolas Hague, citing that it “wasn’t his best game tonight.”
Brunette still sees potential in the team’s defense, but also knows his task ahead is challenging.
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“We’ve got to get (the defense) better every day, and that’s my that’s my responsibility. That’s my job. I think everybody’s capable, I’ve just got to get the best of them,” he said.
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Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators coach Andrew Brunette addresses job security amid lukewarm start | Exclusive
