In a recent interview with Alex Daughterty of The Tennessean, Bill Haslam, the soon-to-be majority owner of the Nashville Predators, opened up about the current state of the team amid a disappointing season. With the franchise sitting second to last in the NHL standings, fans are left questioning the effectiveness of the big-money investments made during the summer.

Haslam echoed the organization’s commitment to improving the roster despite the struggles. He voiced confidence in general manager Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette, insisting that they remain focused on building a championship-caliber team. Yet, after making significant splashes in free agency by acquiring stars like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei on long-term contracts, the results have been underwhelming, leaving fans frustrated and seeking explanations.

The Nashville Predators entered this season with hopes of transitioning from playoff contenders to Stanley Cup champions, backed by a performance that suggested the team was ready for a leap. However, as they reach the one-third mark of the season, currently seven games below .500, their playoff aspirations seem to be slipping away. But there’s hope yet! The Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, recently turned their season around by winning five of their last six games, showing how quickly fortunes can change in the NHL.

Stamkos and Marchessault, both major acquisitions, are underperforming, each amassing just 13 points in 28 games. Stamkos’ production has notably dipped, only managing one goal and two assists at even strength, while the usually effective Marchessault has struggled with a mere three goals and three assists.

As for Skjei, the veteran defenseman is also falling short of expectations. After an impressive previous season where he scored 47 points, he’s having difficulty replicating that success. Alarmingly, he has already matched his turnover total from last season with 36 in just 28 games—raising concerns about his puck management. If this trend continues, he’s on course to surpass 100 turnovers this season, a statistic that could be detrimental to the Predators’ defensive effort.

With challenges mounting, the franchise remains determined to turn things around, and fans are left wondering: can the Predators find their stride before it’s too late?