Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) handles the puck against the Dallas Stars on November 8, 2025 at Bridgestone Arena. JOHN RUSSELL/NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Fedor Svechkov knew the questions were coming.

The second-year Nashville Predators center didn’t shy away from them following Thursday’s practice at Centennial Sportsplex. His current stat line – one assist and a minus-9 rating across 18 games – is far below what was expected when he slotted in at second-line center for opening night.

“Obviously, it’s been a tough year for me,” Svechkov said. “It’s a tough start, but I’m working every day to try to (get over it). I’m looking forward and just going day by day. I’m trying to not look back much. That’s the plan.”

Nashville’s lack of center depth pushed Svechkov, with just 17 points and 52 NHL games under his belt before this year, into a more prominent role than he may have been ready to handle.

The 22-year-old admitted the pressure he’s put on himself has likely only compounded his on-ice struggles.

“I think he’s a young player going through, you could say, a sophomore slump,” Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. “When things get off to a little bit of a slow start, you start thinking too much. And then you start pressing. We’ve all been through that as players. It’s a hard spot. Sometimes you’re hoping one goes off his butt or he gets the lucky goal. It’s amazing what confidence does to you.”

Predators center Michael McCarron, who didn’t crack 10 points in a season until age 26, said he feels for Svechkov. The position comes with critical defensive responsibilities on top of faceoff and playmaking duties, often resulting in a learning curve for young players.

Perhaps most glaringly, Svechkov has been a non-factor for Nashville’s sputtering offense, which ranks 31st in the league with 2.4 goals for per game. None of his 22 shots this season have reached the back of the net.

“He’s got some high-end skill and a great shot that I don’t think he’s used enough this year,” McCarron said. “He’s trying to get it to other guys. I’ve told him a couple times now, ‘Be really simple with your game. Short, hard shifts. It’s going to be dirty (goals), so get to the front of the net.’”

Svechkov’s parents and his wife Estella are his primary sounding boards after disappointing performances. He doesn’t want to be viewed by his teammates as a complainer.

“I can’t go to the guys and say to them, ‘Hey guys, I can’t score a goal,’” Svechkov said. “We’re a team, and what’s most important is a win. I’m trying to do all I have to do for a win. But sometimes it’s tough.”

Instead of reassigning Svechkov to the American Hockey League, the Predators (6-10-4) are first attempting a different approach. He swapped places with McCarron and practiced with Nashville’s fourth line this week.

“That’s the yin and yang of it,” Brunette said. “In the position he’s in, we were hoping for a little bit more from him. But he’s a player we have big plans for in the future. We’ve got to try to get him feeling as good as possible here.”

In the meantime, Svechkov is forcing himself to stay positive.

“I’m the same player and the same person,” he said. “I know that I can do it. I’ve just got to keep trying, keep going and one day it’s going to happen.”

Nashville Predators center Fedor Svechkov (40) takes a faceoff against Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (46) on November 14, 2025 at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. JOHN RUSSELL/NASHVILLE PREDATORS

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