Shows / The Gold Standard
The Gold Standard
We talk about the Nashville Predators. There is no better show in Smashville. In fact, one might even go so far as to call it The Gold Standard of Preds podcasts.
Episodes
- The Gold Standard
Predators Hockey: A little bit of everything
Nashville was blown out by Boston. They put together a great home win over a division rival in Colorado. The Preds also made a furious comeback only to lose…
- The Gold Standard
What is "good enough" for Nashville?
The Preds got a big win over St. Louis and are clearly better - in a number of statistical categories. But Chris MacFarland has been charged with winning big…
- The Gold Standard
How long is Andrew Brunette's leash?
Nashville is 2-2-2 after six games and an ugly home loss to Vegas. How long is Andrew Brunette's leash - Thanksgiving, Christmas or the end of the season?…
- The Gold Standard
Hockey is back: What we learned in Nashville's first week
Nashville begins the season with a loss, a win and an overtime loss (tie) to start 1-1-1. Is this who the new Nashville Predators are going to be this year?…
- The Gold Standard
2026-27 Predictions: Stanley Cup, Central Division, Predators
What's the one word that describes the start of the Predators season? What do we make of the Opening Night roster and nine defensemen? Who wins the Central and…
- The Gold Standard
Projecting the Preds final roster
The Predators are midway through a shortened training camp and the roster deadline is Monday. What decisions are going to be made along the blue line? Will…
- The Gold Standard
Training Camp, Prospect Rankings, Nikishin, and RIP Brent Peterson
The rookie showcase has wrapped up and we breakdown what we learned from the prospect pool. Then we dive in to the Predators prospect rankings within the farm…
- The Gold Standard
Rookie Camp Preview: Brady Martin, Tanner Molendyk, Vitali Pinchuk
Filip Forsberg has an interesting reaction to the Luke Evangelista trade. Then we dive into Predators rookie camp that begins this weekend. Can Brady Martin or…
- The Gold Standard
Predators trade Luke Evangelista to New Jersey
Chris McFarland traded Luke Evangelista to the Devils for a 1st and 2nd round pick. What does it tell us about the vision for the team? Who fills the line-up…
- The Gold Standard
NCAA or AHL?
The junior and minor league ranks in hockey can be confusing. So let's add NCAA hockey into the mix as well. What is the best way to develop your prospects?…
- The Gold Standard
Does Nashville actually have Center depth?
What does Vitali Pinchuk bring to the table? What are the right expectations for Mavrik Bourque and Jack Drury? Can Brady Martin develop this year? Plus, what…
- The Gold Standard
Roman Josi's case for the Hall of Fame (and Ryan O'Reilly too)
Is Roman Josi a Hall of Famer already? What else does he need to do? Is he a top 10 defenseman in the NHL still? What does the end of his Nashville career look…
- The Gold Standard
Are the Predators managing their money well?
How are the Predators managing their money? Which contracts are way above market value and are providing value: Luke Evangelista, Mavrik Bourque, Ryan…
- The Gold Standard
What do Preds fans want from media + Central Division Power Rankings
Does hockey have a "stan culture" problem like football? Or are the Predators and the Nashville market doing better than the NFL? Will the Predators consider a…
- The Gold Standard
World Cup of hockey + Preds projected starting line-up
Would a World Cup of hockey work with eight nations and should Russia be included? The NHL got their projected Predators starting line-up really wrong and the…
- The Gold Standard
Wins and Points: Best Case Scenario for 2026-27
The is the best case scenario in terms of wins and points for the Nashville Predators this season? What has to happen for that take place? Juuse Saros has to…
- The Gold Standard
Mavrik Bourque contract, front office overhaul, development camp
Mavrik Bourque has been signed to a long-term contract and will play center. What does this tell us about the roster, this team's playoff chances and the job…
- The Gold Standard
Stability, Flexibility: MacFarland's vision begins to focus
Chris MacFarland has made seven trades with six different teams in two weeks as the Predators General Manager. He's acquired six players, two prospects and…
- The Gold Standard
Pekka Rinne + NHL Draft preview
Pekka Rinne is a Hall of Famer! We celebrate the greatest Predators of all-time. Then we break down all of the trading chaos in the NHL and how it impacts the…
- The Gold Standard
Identity, Patience and Creativity: Lessons from Carolina's Cup
Carolina has won the Cup and Nashville should learn lots of lessons: Patience, identity, creativity, goal-tending and more. New GM Chris MacFarland made his…
- The Gold Standard
Nashville, MacFarland keep making big moves
Nashville continues to make big moves as new GM Chris MacFarland hires Rob Blake to be his No. 2 in command and Brian Poile steps away. What does it tell us…
- The Gold Standard
Preds steal Chris MacFarland from division rival
The Nashville Predators have hired Chris MacFarland away from the Colorado Avalanche. It's a huge win for the franchise and it hurts a division rival. What…
- The Gold Standard
Rumors from Colorado: Can Nashville steal MacFarland?
What the heck happened to the Colorado Avalanche? Is there anything to be learned from the Vegas' sweep of the Avs? Do the Predators have a chance at landing…
- The Gold Standard
Conference Finals Preview from a Nashville perspective
The Conference Finals are set as Colorado faces Vegas in the Western Conference and Montreal takes on Carolina in the East. Who are Predators fans rooting for…
- The Gold Standard
GM Search: Timing, Strategy and Final Say
Why is the Predators GM search taking so long? What does it tell us about the candidates and the process? Who are the legitimate candidates? Have they decided…
- The Gold Standard
GM search update + NHL Draft strategy preview
The Stanley Cup playoffs still have a seeding problem. Are the Predators slow-playing the Tom Fitzgerald hiring? What's the heck is going on with Toronto - who…
- The Gold Standard
Who Wins: Former Preds vs. Current Preds?
Should Nashville consider going after Brady Thachuk? Could a team of former Predators beat the current Predators? Then we work through the perfect offseason…
- The Gold Standard
Season-ending messages offer no clarity on future
The players, Andrew Brunette and Barry Trotz conducted season-ending interviews and the messages were mixed. A new era is upon the franchise but it sounds like…
- The Gold Standard
Lack of identity costs Predators the playoffs
Why did the Nashville Predators miss the playoffs? Talent, coaching, slow starts are all a part of it. But the total lack of team identity was the problem -…
- The Gold Standard
Excitement on and off the ice in Nashville
Justus Annunen is making history while Juuse Saros is playing the best hockey of his season. The Predators took 7 out of 8 possible points but will it be…
- The Gold Standard
The biggest week of the year + GM search update
After five straight wins, the power play has failed and Nashville lost three straight at the worst possible time. Yet, the biggest week of the regular season…
- The Gold Standard
Matthew Wood leads Preds youth movement into playoff race
Nashville destroyed San Jose on Tuesday night to win five straight and move into the playoffs. How is this happening? What role are young players like Matthew…
- The Gold Standard
NHL Playoffs or NHL Draft Lottery
The Predators got a big win over the Jets on Tuesday night but is that a good thing or a bad thing? Can this team fight for a playoff spot AND pick in the top…
- The Gold Standard
Farm System Report with Nick Kieser
Lower Broad Hockey reporter Nick Kieser recently spent some time in Milwaukee with Nashville's top prospects, Karl Taylor and Scott Nichol. What did he learn?…
- The Gold Standard
Instant Reaction: Preds do the right thing at the deadline
Nashville finished the deadline by making four moves. They didn't buy anything and "go for it" and that's amazing. This is the right direction and the youth…
- The Gold Standard
Nashville begins to sell ahead of the deadline
Nashville has already started selling pieces as Michael McCarron and Cole Smith were traded on Tuesday. The team has lost five out of six and appears to be…
- The Gold Standard
Hellebuyck, Matthews, Hughes and Our Women
USA hockey dominated the Olympics as heroes emerged from both the Men's and Women's team. Connor Hellebuyck, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes became rockstars as…
- The Gold Standard
Live Reaction: USA tops Sweden in OT to advance!
The USA survive in the quarterfinals against Sweden behind great goaltending and stellar play from Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin. Can they top Slovakia on…
- The Gold Standard
Can USA win Gold?
What does the CAA-Nashville divorce tell us about the GM search? What trade rumors make sense for the Predators? And can the US Men and Women win Gold in…
- The Gold Standard
Trotz retirement raises critical questions
Barry Trotz will retire as GM of the Predators. It raises numerous questions and we try to answer all of them. Why now? Who will be making decisions? What…
- The Gold Standard
Preds are nothing if not entertaining
The Predators continue to play entertaining hockey with big comebacks and dramatic third periods. But they've lost four out of five and Juuse Saros is…
- The Gold Standard
Preds continue to go to extremes + Historic "What If" from the Cup run
The Nashville Predators won at Colorado in impressive fashion before turning around and getting crushed by Vegas and Buffalo. Is this just who Nashville is…
- The Gold Standard
Josi, Stamkos continue to lead surging Predators
Roman Josi and Steven Stamkos are leading the charge for the Nashville Predators. The Preds have won 16 out of 24 but the underlying numbers aren't promising…
- The Gold Standard
Lessons from the Road Trip + Midseason Report
The road trip is over and Nashville went 4-3. What did we learn about this team's current playoff chances? Justus Annunen has been signed to an extension. A…
- The Gold Standard
Preds critical road trip + 2025 Year in Review
Nashville has won two of the first three games on a 7-game road trip, what will it tell us about the team? Josi, Stamkos and others are surging and carrying…
- The Gold Standard
This is who Nashville is... and it's an improvement
Nashville won two more games against bad teams and wasn't competitive against Carolina. Is this just who the Predators will be this season? If nothing else…
- The Gold Standard
Hat Tricks, Quinn Hughes and the Playoffs
Nashville continues to win games - seven out of 10 - on the backs of star power. Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos are red hot and Juuse Saros is playing great…
- The Gold Standard
Winning Hockey: Dictating Pace and Juuse Saros
The Predators have won five out of seven games... why? Juuse Saros has been excellent and also awful. The offense has been dictating pace as well. Why has it…
- The Gold Standard
Kids are scoring goals: Will it last?
The rookies are starting to score as young players make progress. Is this a sign of things to come or simply a product of scheduling? Barry Trotz addressed…
- The Gold Standard
Rumors, Reports, Questions and Quotes
Rumors, reports and questions continue to swirl around the Nashville organization. After two poor showings this week, Barry Trotz is doing damage control in…
- The Gold Standard
Why the Predators are not making a change
Nashville fails on the international stage in the Global Series and delivered a fireable offense in Sweden. However, Barry Trotz isn't making a move on Andrew…
- The Gold Standard
Rumors swirl from Bridgestone to Sweden
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan analyze the Predators trip to Sweden and how it feels very similar to the trip to Dallas that eventually got Peter Laviolette…
- The Gold Standard
Finding new ways to lose: NHL screws Preds
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan try to explain what happened to the Predators on Tuesday night against the Wild. Why did the NHL office rule the way they did? What…
- The Gold Standard
Sloppy, awful night at Bridgestrone
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan break down one of the ugliest nights in Bridgestone Arena history. What is wrong with the veterans and can anything fix them? Why…
- The Gold Standard
NHL's worst offense on a last place team
Braden Gall and Nick Kieser talk through the Predators four game losing streak. Nashville is a last place team with the worst offense in the league after an…
- The Gold Standard
Dissecting the first four games
Emma Lingan and guest co-host Jeremy K. Gover breakdown the first four games of the Nashville Predators 2025-26 season. Can we extrapolate anything from the…
- The Gold Standard
Hockey is Here: Andrew Brunette, Brady Martin, Central Division PIcks
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan make our official season predictions for 2025-26. How should Andrew Brunette be evaluated? What is Barry Trotz plan? How should…
- The Gold Standard
Are the Preds focused on the right thing? (and final roster predictions)
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan talk Preds hockey one week from the start of the season. Are the Predators focused on the right things entering the season? Is…
- The Gold Standard
Top prospects have entered the chat
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan breakdown the first few weeks of training camp. Andrew Brunette has a clear message to his team this camp. The youth movement in…
- The Gold Standard
Predators Training Camp: What actually matters?
Braden Gall and Emma Lingan preview the opening of Nashville Predators training camp. Roster decisions, position battles, prospect development and more…