PODCAST · sports
The Gold Standard
by 440 Media, LLC
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
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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? Vegas exposed familiar issues. What do we make of new defenseman Jayden Struble and can he be the fix for this bizarre line-up strategy? Plus,...
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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 overall product looks improved, Juuse Saros has been very good but the defense is already showing major issues. What have we learned in...
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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 do the Preds make the playoffs? Who is traded? Is Andrew Brunette retained? How many starts does Juuse Saros get? Which young player...
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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 Ryan Ufko force his way into the roster? What will the pairings be? At forward, it appears that half a dozen names are battling for the final...
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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 system. Who is the best prospect in the system and who are the best future blue liners? We also get ready for training camp to open as the...
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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 Tanner Molendyk make the NHL roster? Will Vitali Pinchuk prove he belongs on the biggest stage? Can the team find depth along the blue...
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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 slots? Why was he traded and why doesn't he fit into the future? Are there more moves coming? Braden Gall and Emma Lingan talk Preds…
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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? Could an NHL team invest in NIL for specific college programs and what would be the benefit of "buying" a college hockey team? Then we ask…
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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 are the expectations the front office is putting on this team internally? Emma Lingan and Nick Kieser talk Preds hockey. 🎥 Watch the show...
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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 like? Steven Stamkos is a lock member of the Hall but how will his tenure be viewed in Nashville? Ryan O'Reilly could also get into the...
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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 O'Reilly? Why is Juuse Saros the worst valued contract on the team? Who else has the worst contracts? And what does this roster build tell us…
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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 brand refresh at all in the near future? Then we dive deep into the NHL Central Division power rankings for 2026-27. Braden Gall and Emma...
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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 internet noticed. We project the starting line-up and then we look at what the line-up could be in three years. Braden Gall and Emma…
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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 be great, the defense must get better, special teams keep working, the young players develop and what else? Then what would worst case...
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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 Chris MacFarland has done. The front office overhaul continues while the coaching staff is notably the same. Plus, what did we learn from...
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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 multiple draft picks while also landing a talented and skilled 2026 Draft class. He's sent two players, two prospects and nine draft picks…
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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 NHL Draft. Which three players will Nashville be choosing from at No. 10? What traits should they focus on? Best available vs. positional...
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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 first trade, hired Jamie Langenbrunner and has indicated that Andrew Brunette is returning. Plus, World Cup soccer vs. USA Hockey and NHL...
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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 about the future direction of the organization and what does it say about Andrew Brunette's future? Is this the drunkest Stanley Cup Final...
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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 does it say about the future and what decisions are looming? Emma Lingan and Jeremy K. Gover talk Preds hockey....
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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 Colorado GM Chris McFarland? Why would he come to Nashville? What does this say about the search process? And should the Predators focus on...
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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 and what would be the best match-up in the Stanley Cup Final? Lastly, what is going on with the GM search? If you care about local news...
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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 on a organizational structure? How does Tom Fitzgerald fit into this equation? How does the NHL Draft work through all of this? Plus, can...
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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 also won the Draft Lottery. And who could be on the board for the Predators with the 10th pick and what strategy should the new GM…
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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 strategy for Nashville: Front office, coaching staff, contracts, trades, prospects, draft, free agents and more. Braden Gall and Emma Lingan...
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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 many want to keep this group together for a playoff run next year. Is that what a new GM will want to do? Braden Gall and Emma Lingan…
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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 - mostly due to decisions made by Barry Trotz. What does the future hold for this team and what are the first orders of business for the new…
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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 enough? Veterans, special teams and Tyson Jost are all playing critical roles in Nashville's playoff push. Then we dive into the latest rumors...
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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 begins in Los Angeles Thursday night. Enjoy the ride! Then we update the GM search with a list of candidates and strategies. Braden Gall…
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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 Wood playing? Can it continue? Plus, the debate between Playoff match-ups as well as draft slot? Braden Gall and Emma Lingan talk Preds...
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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 10? What will happen over the finale 15 games? We've reached a familiar portion of the Juuse Saros story. And why a change of heart by…
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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? Who surprised? What does the future hold? Braden Gall and Nick Kieser talk Preds hockey. Watch...
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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 movement was on full display on Thursday night. Is this a turning point? Braden Gall and Emma Lingan talk Preds hockey....
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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 admitting it needs to rebuild. Who is next? What is the right strategy to fixing the organization? Braden Gall and Emma Lingan talk Preds...
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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 Auston Matthews won Gold. Connor McDavid lost again in a final. And the Women's team was treated in a predictable way by a pretty important...
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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 Friday? We preview the US Women's Gold Medal match against Canada. Plus, one key Predators stat you need to know. Braden Gall and Emma Lingan...
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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 Italy? Can the USA men play the right style of hockey? Can their elite blueline and goaltending be the difference? What are proper expectations...
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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 happens to Andrew Brunette? What does the team do at the deadline? What does Bill Haslem want from his hockey team? Will this team tear it all...
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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 overworked. Barry Trotz isn't trying to make any trades but also seems to be admitting that Nashville isn't a playoff team. Plus, Roman Josi and...
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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 this year? The average depth of this team is killing it. Plus, two major what-ifs about this season as well as big decisions from 2016-2018....
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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. How should we view the stretch of good hockey? What will the team do around the trade deadline? Can they make the playoffs? Braden Gall…
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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 mid-season report offers one glaring positive development and a few other smaller ones. And what's going on with youth hockey in Canada?...
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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 team but what do the fancy stats tell us about how real it is? Then we look at the 2025 calendar year and what it tells us about 2026....
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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, they are far more entertaining than last year. Is Luke Evangelista entering star territory and can he be the building block piece in the...
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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 in net. What does it mean for the future of the season? Then we dive into the Western Conference playoff race and what the Quinn Hughes...
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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 taken so long for the system to work for the third year in a row? Then we try to explain the scandal unfolding around Predators former...
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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 toxic rumors and broke down his asking price for Ryan O'Reilly. Then we discuss the right way to view Carter Hart's debut for Vegas. Braden...
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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 press. However, it's not working and he's making it worse. Veterans will be on the block soon and something has to change. Braden Gall…
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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 Brunette. Why is he sticking it out? What is his plan? What's the strategy? We have an elegant and outlandish suggestion on how to fix not...
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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 fired. What do bad vibes and toxic energy mean to the fans and behind the scenes? What would trading Juuse Saros do for the franchise: we...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Gold Standard have?
The Gold Standard currently has 332 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Gold Standard about?
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.
How often does The Gold Standard release new episodes?
The Gold Standard publishes regularly with 332 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Gold Standard?
You can listen to The Gold Standard on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Gold Standard?
The Gold Standard is created and hosted by 440 Media, LLC.
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