Predators' Brunette: 'We could scratch every guy' on the team
Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette had a blunt assessment of his team through 28 games.
"We could scratch every guy in our lineup," Brunette said Tuesday, according to The Tennessean's Alex Daugherty. "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 noted it can be difficult to balance accountability with keeping players happy.
"Is there going to come a time (to scratch high-profile players)? There might," Brunette said. "But saying that, everyone wants to be held accountable. But they don't like when they're held accountable. That's where it gets tricky. And when you've got a whole team that's probably not playing up to their capabilities, to their expectations, it's easy to have an excuse for how come he's not getting it. My point to them is, how about you play better?"
The Predators have the fewest wins in the NHL, sporting a 7-15-6 record. Nashville has dropped seven straight games (three in overtime) and has a league-worst minus-27 goal differential.
The team's struggles come after high expectations entering the campaign. The Predators made the playoffs last season and spent a combined $20.5-million annual cap hit on veterans Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei in free agency.
Stamkos and Marchessault have combined for 12 goals in 28 games after both hit the 40-goal mark last season. Captain Roman Josi has a team-worst minus-20 rating.
The Predators look to end their skid Tuesday against the Calgary Flames.