In today’s NHL rumors rundown, are the Nashville Predators about to undergo a rebuild? Meanwhile, there is some injury news for the Edmonton Oilers, and Evander Kane was on the ice at the team’s optional skate. Finally, what’s going on in Ottawa, where Dylan Cozens has been so good since joining the team? Why wasn’t he playing that way in Buffalo?
Predators in for Some Growing Pains
According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, the Nashville Predators might not undergo a full rebuild, but they will make the switch to younger and more developing players. Johnston writes:
The Predators seem to be operating in a way that suggests they’re not an offseason fix or two away from re-entering a contention window. They spent big in free agency last July and have been paying for it ever since with an aging roster that is full of holes. GM Barry Trotz recently warned there may be some “pain” ahead while the franchise pivots to acquiring and developing more young talent, which essentially carves out the path immediately ahead.
source – ‘Will NHL ever fix its playoff format? Toughest division? Marchand insight? Caps contenders? Ask CJ’ Chris Johnston – The Athletic – 03-17-2025
Johnston adds not to expect a full-scale rebuild. Earlier this season, it was reported that Trotz gave every player who wanted out a chance to leave. Many chose to stay. Still, the Predators look like they’re heading in a direction where it doesn’t appear they will win very much next season.
Kane on the Ice with Oilers, Other Key Players Not
Evander Kane was on the ice with the Oilers ahead of their matchup with the Winnipeg Jets. He’s still a ways from playing, but he looked to be skating well. It’s the first time he’s skated with the team since his surgery.
Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, Zach Hyman, and Leon Draisaitl were all absent from team practice on Wednesday. It wasn’t an optional skate like Thursday, so when head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about it, he stated that he wasn’t sure what the lines would look like if those players weren’t available for Thursday night’s game. He said all four players were banged up and are a game-time decision.
It would be brutal news for the Oilers if any of those four players were dealing with something that required more than the Oilers to be cautious.
Cozens Has Gone Beast Mode in Ottawa
Dylan Cozens’s production since joining the Senators has been off the charts. He was not nearly as good in Buffalo, and that’s leading some people to wonder what happened with the Sabres. It’s one thing for a fresh start to rejuvenate a player, but Cozens is leading the Sens in several categories, including hits.
Adam Vingan of Sportsnet writes, “For the Senators, the key to getting Cozens back to that form is to let him loose in open ice.” He also notes that the well-balanced lineup in Ottawa has helped. Cozens also talked about playing in games that mattered as the team is working towards securing a spot in the postseason.
Several Sabres fans took to social media stating things like, “Just wait” or suggesting he’ll revert back to his normal levels and won’t keep this going.