Steven Stamkos expected 'playoff hockey' in Nashville. That hasn't happened

Steven Stamkos expected 'playoff hockey' in Nashville. That hasn't happened

Scoring 40 goals in a season is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Just save those laurels for someone not named Steven Stamkos.

"My expectation when I signed here was to be playing playoff hockey and we haven't done that," Stamkos told reporters after practice at Bridgestone Arena on April 15. "It's tough to call the year anything other than disappointing."

Stamkos, who scored in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on April 13, recorded his eighth career 40-goal season and his first since signing with the Nashville Predators in 2024. He could not care less.

In the end, his 40 goals weren't enough to get the Predators into the playoffs – they were eliminated on April 13 after their loss to the Sharks, when the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken.

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) skates with the puck past San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) moves the puck past San Jose Sharks center Zack Ostapchuk (63) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) battles for the puck with San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) sets up to pass the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) reaches for the puck during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) battles San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) collides with San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) skates with the puck past San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) skates with the puck past San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) moves the puck past San Jose Sharks center Zack Ostapchuk (63) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators left wing Reid Schaefer (49) battles for the puck with San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Perbix (48) sets up to pass the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) reaches for the puck during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) battles San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) collides with San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

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Nashville Predators, Steven Stamkos battle San Jose Sharks in chase for wild card

A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 13, 2026.

"I came here with playoff aspirations, right? So, we've failed the last two years," he said.

It's hard to argue with him. That's two seasons with great expectations for Nashville and two seasons with no playoff hockey. In a league where half the teams make the postseason, the Predators' talent-rich roster couldn't make it.

GUTTED: Nashville Predators 'gutted' after chance at playoffs slips away

"At the end of the day, it's a business of results in the NHL and you want to make the playoffs," Stamkos said. "That's every team's goal. Very disappointing that we didn't accomplish that. A lot of adversity as a team this year with the way we started. How we clawed our way back. How the trade deadline went and then how we responded after that. I never questioned anyone in this room's desire to win ... you just want to have success with those guys."

Steven Stamkos' uncertain future with GM hire looming

The Predators have one game remaining, hosting the Anaheim Ducks in their home finale on April 16 (7 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network). The Ducks have already clinched the playoffs, but could earn home ice advantage in the first round with a win and an Oilers loss to the Canucks. Meanwhile, the Predators could improve their draft lottery odds with a loss.

Stamkos and others will do their best to give the home fans an entertaining product. But with the team's looming general manager change, will that impact their emotions heading into the game.

"There's going to be a lot of questions, there's no doubt," Stamkos said.

With general manager Barry Trotz retiring, majority owner Bill Haslam has begun the search for his replacement. That search is expected to conclude sometime before the NHL draft in June.

ESTES: Persistence went only so far for the Predators — again

"We'll have to see who comes in as (general manager) and what his vision is going forward," Stamkos said. "I can't tell you a thing... someone could come here and say we want a complete tear down and rebuild and that's the way it's going to go. We could have someone come here and say... we believe in the older guys and the core of this team.

"That's what we all hope for."

The question of how the new GM handles its aging veterans is most important this summer. The Predators have six players all over 30 years old who are under contract for two or more seasons: Stamkos, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and Juuse Saros. They also have several players under 24 years old who became regular contributors this year, including Luke Evangelista and Matthew Wood.

"There's too many unknowns right now with regards to the future of the team," Stamkos said. "We saw a glimpse of what the young guys can do and that was a positive thing."

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Steven Stamkos unsure of Predators' future after another 'failed' year