NHL Odds Have Preds 240-to-1 to Finish Last

According to FanDuel Sportsbook’s NHL odds, the Nashville Predators are +5000 to make the 2025 NHL Playoffs. A season that began with so much promise is now a race to the bottom.

The Preds can’t salvage this season with a playoff birth. They can, however, start their rebuild in earnest by securing a lottery draft pick.

Nashville is 240-to-1 (+24000) to finish with the NHL’s worst record. With GM Barry Trotz exploring a total rebuild, I like that bet far more. 

No Hope in Smashville

As of today, the Nashville Predators are 20 points out of a Western Conference Wild Card spot. Though not eliminated, the Preds might as well be, and GM Barry Trotz knows there’s no hope of salvaging this season. 

Last season’s Predators fell in the first round of the playoffs, and Trotz swung for the fences. He signed Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in pursuit of a Stanley Cup.

With all hope dashed, these players are now trade assets. Their veteran status and proven playoff track record will fetch a haul at the trade deadline. 

If Trotz deals them and possibly Ryan O’Reilly, the decimated Nashville roster will limp through the season’s final months. 

Spare Parts and Broken Hearts

Breaking up is hard to do. So is tanking in professional sports. Players and coaches want to win games. The Nashville players are no exception. A player like Roman Josi has too much pride. Management can make moves to make the “worse” as they compete for a lottery pick. 

I mentioned Stamkos, Marchessault, and O’Reilly as deadline trade chips. Gustav Nyquist, Colton Sissons, and Luke Schenn all have close-to-expiring contracts. Trotz hasn’t shown much interest in resigning them thus far. 

The post-March 7 Nashville Predators could be the worst team in the NHL.

Games in Hand

Games in hand are important for a playoff race. They’re as important when racing to the bottom. The Preds might have the upper hand on the current team with the worst record, the San Jose Sharks.

Right now, the Preds have four more wins than the Sharks. They’ve also played three fewer games. To drop below San Jose, the Preds must continue losing and hope the Sharks and the Blackhawks win a few. 

Buy the Preds NHL Odds for Worst Record 2024-25

Nashville was a Stanley Cup contender before the season started. Winning the offseason hasn’t done much for the franchise. Barry Trotz and the Predators have transitioned from all-in to a complete rebuild in mere months. 

Despite 240-to-1 odds, the Nashville Predators are still a good bet to finish 2024-25 with the NHL’s worst record. A slow start out of the 4 Nations Face-off break, a few trades, and GM posturing for the future will help the cause. 

Put some pizza money on the Preds to tank and hope their slide to the bottom continues.