<p>The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/nashville-predators/news/page5">Nashville Predators</a> will bring back Andrew Brunette as head coach to start the 2025-26 NHL season, general manager Barry Trotz announced on Monday.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Andrew (Brunette) is going to be our coach,” Trotz told reporters at Bridgestone Arena. “He is a good young coach. He had a tough situation this year… But like a good young player, you have to stick with a good young coach.”</p>



<p>After pushing the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/vancouver-canucks/news">Vancouver Canucks</a> in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Predators stocked their roster with veteran superstars ahead of 2024-25. Still, they sputtered to start the season and couldn’t find their form, finishing seventh in the Central Division with a record of 30-44-8.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results in 2024-25 were a significant downturn for Brunette, who joined the Predators ahead of the 2023-24 season, after the team split with previous head coach John Hynes. In his first regular season, Brunette led the Predators to a 47-30-5 record and earned himself a Jack Adams Award nomination, before the downturn this season.&nbsp;</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="170"></div>



<p>Despite adding Jonathan Marchessault and Steven Stamkos, the Predators struggled to score throughout 2024-25, netting the second-fewest goals in the NHL with just 214, an average of 2.61 per game.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Only the last-place <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/san-jose-sharks/news">San Jose Sharks </a>scored fewer with 210.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Among his comments on Monday, Trotz also added that Brunette’s assistant coaches Todd Richards, Derek MacKenzie and Darby Hendrickson would return. However, he also suggested he would keep options open.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, Trotz mentioned he was happy that Brunette will join Team Canada under head coach Dean Evason at the IIHF Men’s World Championship this spring, giving him a chance to learn from another experienced coach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With the head coaching picture clear, Trotz will now be able to turn his attention to the team’s retool in hopes of icing a more competitive roster when the new NHL season hits the ice on Oct. 7.&nbsp;</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="143"></div>
