Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette has rejoined the team after missing two games due to a personal matter. The 51-year-old coach announced Thursday that he will be back behind the bench for tonight’s game against the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City.
Brunette Issues Statement After Family Emergency
In a statement released by the team, Brunette expressed gratitude to Predators ownership, general manager Barry Trotz, and the entire coaching staff for their support during his absence.
“I'd like to thank ownership and Barry Trotz for allowing me to spend time with my family, and thank our entire coaching staff for their help in guiding our team in my absence,” said Brunette. “My family and I sincerely appreciate the support from everyone in our organization, our players, and our fans.”
Brunette shared that he returned to Ontario on Saturday after his father experienced a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Assistant Coach Todd Richards Stepped In
While Brunette was away, assistant coach Todd Richards led the team for two games at home. The Predators suffered a close 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, followed by an exciting 7-6 overtime victory against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Predators Eliminated from Playoffs Ahead of Season Finale
With a record of 28-42-8 (64 points), the Nashville Predators have been officially eliminated from 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff contention. They currently hold the third-worst record in the Western Conference and have four games remaining in the regular season, including tonight’s matchup in Utah.
Despite the challenges of this season, Brunette’s first year behind the bench in 2023-24 saw the Predators finish with a 47-30-5 record and a playoff berth, where they were eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks in six games during the first round.
