Preds' Schenn: Never been on team that 'literally can't score goals'

Nashville Predators defenseman Luke Schenn is a veteran of 1,053 NHL games, but he's never seen a team struggle to put the puck in the net like his club has this season.

"You don't even really know what to say anymore as far as the overall team game," Schenn said following Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. "Nothing's easy, obviously. I don't think I've ever been part of a group where you literally can't score goals.

"Sometimes you're giving up a lot, or defensive game's not there, but at least you catch the odd break and get the puck in the net. It's been hard to come by."

The Predators have scored three goals in three games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, and they rank 31st in the NHL with 146 tallies through 57 contests.

The offensive woes follow an offseason in which the Predators added Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault to an attack that already featured star winger Filip Forsberg. All three have fallen short of expectations. Forsberg leads the club with 21 goals and 53 points after notching 48 and 94, respectively, in 2023-24.

The Predators are 30th in the league standings and have more than their offense to blame: Nashville ranks 25th in goals against.

Schenn, 35, has just five points on the year but has been a depth, stay-at-home defenseman for the majority of his career. He's viewed as a strong candidate to be traded before the March 7 deadline.