Here's where the new-look Nashville Predators rank in the NHL's Western Conference

When Barry Trotz started as general manager of the Nashville Predators one year ago, he told fans they'd need to be patient as he re-built a competitive squad.

It turns out, Trotz was the impatient one.

Two months after the team made a return to the playoffs, Trotz set the franchise record for most money spent in one day by committing over $111 million to four new players . Those moves transformed the Predators into an instant contender, building off of last year's surprise playoff appearance, and reshaping how the team is viewed in the NHL.

The only problem for Nashville is they still play in the Western Conference, where several of the league's legitimate Stanley Cup contenders reside.

So how do the Predators stack up against the rest of the Western Conference?

Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars lead the race in Western Conference

Edmonton made it to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, and though they lost to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers return almost everyone from that run.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are back to fuel the Oilers' offense, plus they added forwards Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. The defense is still led by Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, while Stuart Skinner will be their top goaltender.

The Oilers will be the unquestioned favorite to represent the Western Conference in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

But the Dallas Stars aren't far behind them.

The Stars have one of the best young teams in the league. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston — all under 30 years old — rejoin veterans Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Matt Duchene. On the back end, they added Matt Dumba to pair with top defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Jake Oettinger, 25, will return as their top goaltender.

Dallas is a tough matchup for Nashville, with the Stars beating the Predators in six of their past eight games.

Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks have slight edge on Nashville

The Colorado Avalanche have many question marks on their roster. It's unclear when or if Gabriel Landeskog will return to the lineup. Forward Valeri Nichushkin 's future is clouded by off-ice struggles; he was suspended for six months in May.

But with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on the ice, it is impossible to count out the Avalanche. MacKinnon was just named league MVP and Makar finished third in Norris Trophy voting. The rest of the roster is a balanced attack with players like Mikko Rantanen, Artturi Lehkonen, and Ross Colton. Their vulnerability is in goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who finished with an .897 save percentage and 3.02 goals allowed per game last season.

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Predators in six games in the playoffs, plus they return top players Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, and Elias Petterson. While they lost defenseman Nikita Zadorov, they added Jake DeBrusk as a top six forward. Thatcher Demko returns as their top goaltending option.

The Canucks should finish as the second best team in the Pacific Divison.

New Nashville Predators lineup puts team in top five in West

After the Oilers, Stars, Avalanche, and Canucks, the Predators are the next-best team. Nashville added forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, plus defenseman Brady Skjei. All other major players return, including Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Juuse Saros.

NEW LOOK: How Nashville Predators will work Steve Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei into lineup

Other teams immediately behind Nashville include the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights. The Wild added former Predators forward Yakov Trenin and defenseman Jake Middleton. The Jets added defenseman Colin Miller. The Golden Knights added forward Victor Olofsson.

On paper, the Predators are a top five team in the Western Conference, and a return to the playoffs should be the expectation for next season.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here's where the new-look Nashville Predators rank in the NHL's Western Conference