Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette Issues Ultimatum to Entire Team
PUBLICATION
TJ Tucker
December 10, 2024 (5:08 PM)
Andrew Brunette, the head coach of the Nashville Predators, has issued a warning to all players on the team, even stars like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault
After making the biggest splash during free agent frenzy last summer, it has been a brutal season so far for the Nashville Predators.
Despite making a minor trade with the Chicago Blackhawks recently, the team has a ton of work to do to get back to competing, and keeping certain players out of the lineup has been an option mentioned by head coach Andrew Brunette.
As for who should be the first to sit, Andrew Brunette said it would be a tough decision as pretty much everyone on the team deserves it.
"We could scratch every guy in our lineup. But unfortunately, we need players going. At different times, (scratching high-profile players) crosses your mind. But they have to earn it; you can't just do it to do it. It's a false thing to do where you try to create something ... Players see right through that."
Brunette admitted a bad message gets sent when deoth players are scratched while players who are supposed to be stars remain in the lineup even when they are playing poorly.
"You always worry. Players see it, players see through a lot of different things. With (Jonathan Marchessault) you're trying to be patient with him, you're trying to make him feel comfortable. You're trying to find solutions for him. Because we're going to need him.
Unfortunately, like I said, I could scratch every guy on the team. Is there going to come a time? There might. But saying that, everyone wants to be held accountable. But they don't like it when they're held accountable. That's where it gets tricky."
The Predators made big moves during free agency signing Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and Brady Skjei to multiple year deals. The team currently has a dismal record of 7-15-6, and is tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for dead last in the NHL.
Brunette recently commented on the possibility that he might be fired, saying it is what it is and there's little he can do but try to coach to the team to win unless or until GM Barry Trotz decides to show him the door.
POLL |
DECEMBRE 10 | 137 ANSWERS Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette Issues Ultimatum to Entire Team Do you think Andrew Brunette of the Nashville Predators will be fired before the 2024-25 season is over? |
Yes | 116 | 84.7 % |
No | 11 | 8 % |
Not sure | 10 | 7.3 % |
List of polls |
|
7 hours ago | By Tom Banks Insider Reveals Who the Vancouver Canucks Originally Wanted to Sign Instead of JT Miller |
|
10 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Elliotte Friedman Suggests Penguins Could Strike a Trade with Atlantic Division Team |
|
13 hours ago | By Tom Banks Insider Drops JT Miller's Potential New Team Amid Major Fallout With Canucks |
|
14 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Edmonton Oilers Make Major Move Signing Veteran Defenseman |
|
15 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Sabres Star Forward Dylan Cozens Linked to Canadian Team, per Pierre LeBrun |
|
16 hours ago | By Julien Trekker Major Trades Incoming as Kyle Dubas Ready to Completely Reshape Penguins Roster |
|
Jan 16 | By Tom Banks Mikko Rantanen Draws Interest from Multiple Teams as Avalanche Struggle to Secure Extension |
|
Jan 16 | By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks Forward Brock Boeser Likely to be Traded by Deadline, per Insider |
Previously on Hockey Trade Rumours